George Summers (cricketer)

George Summers (21 June 1844 – 19 June 1870) was an English cricketer. He played all his first-class cricket for Nottinghamshire. Summers was known for his habit of reaching 50 and then promptly getting out (he scored fifteen half-centuries with a highest score of just 57).

In the match against MCC at Lord's in 1870, Summers was hit by a short delivery from John Platts, at the time a fast bowler. He was carried off the field. He seemed to recover, and was not taken to hospital, but went by train back to Nottingham. He died from his injury four days later. Lord's at the time was renowned for being a poor pitch. After Summers' death, efforts were made to improve it, and MCC paid for his gravestone. The death of Summers ensured that the bowler never bowled fast again.

As a protest against what he saw as dangerous bowling, the next batsman - Richard Daft - came out to the wicket with his head wrapped in a towel.

References

• Simon Rae, W.G.Grace: A Life, 1998, ISBN 978-0571178551, p92
• Cricinfo player profile
• Dangerous Games