Harry Atkinson (cricketer)
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Harry Atkinson (born February 1, 1881 in Hull, Yorkshire - died December 22, 1959) played one game of first class cricket for Yorkshire in 1907. Although almost uniquely undistinguished in bald statistical terms, Atkinson's career had the merit of brevity at least. He is one of the few cricketers in the history of cricket to make a pair in his one and only first class appearance. His very lack of success makes him notable in the long annals of the game.
Atkinson's big, and as it turned out only, chance in the first class game came against Worcestershire in August 1907 at Bradford's famous Park Avenue Cricket Ground. Thanks for a half century from G. N. Foster the visitors compiled 155, with Newstead taking 4 for 62 but when Atkinson was tossed the ball by his captain he went for 17 runs in three disappointing overs and never bowled in first class cricket again. Worse was to come as Yorkshire were then routed for a desperate 62 in just 24.5 overs, Atkinson's duck coming at number 9 courtesy of a catch by Burns from the bowling of Cuffe who took 4 for 38 in partnership with Arnold who helped himself to 6 for 22.
Yorkshire then staged a remarkable fightback with the ball to give hope to the home crowd, dispatching Worcestershire for a mere 28 in 16.2 overs of wicket taking mayhem. Newstead was the principle destroyer, taking 7 wickets for just 10 runs. Expectations that Yorkshire could reach their target of 121 were high as the home team reached 47 for just 2 down but were eventually dashed by the brilliant Cuffe who completed an inspired bowling performance by taking 9 wickets for 38 in 20.4 overs and Yorkshire ended the game all out for 91 to lose by a tantalising 30 runs. Atkinson, demoted somewhat cruelly to number 10 in the order, went down all guns blazing, stumped by Straw off the inevitable Cuffe for his second, and final, duck. Atkinson had completed a pair in his first and only match for the White Rose.
Harry Atkinson enjoyed a good innings off the field of first class play, being born on the 1 February 1881 at Sculcoates in Hull and dying on the 22 December 1959. He played for the East Riding of Yorkshire in 1919.
