25 Facts About Arthur Mold

Arthur Webb Mold was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket for Lancashire as a fast bowler between 1889 and 1901.

Arthur Mold began his professional cricket career playing for Banbury and Northamptonshire in the mid-1880s, but by 1889 had qualified to play for Lancashire at county level.

Controversy erupted in 1900 when Arthur Mold was no-balled for throwing by Jim Phillips, an umpire who had targeted several prominent bowlers with dubious bowling actions.

Arthur Mold was born on 27 May 1863 in the village of Middleton Cheney in Northamptonshire.

Arthur Mold's family had links with the thatching trade, but Mold pursued a career in professional cricket.

Arthur Mold began to play for the village team, making good progress as a bowler; in 1882, Middleton Cheney were unbeaten and Mold had the best bowling average in the team.

Subsequently, in 1887, Arthur Mold was employed by Manchester Cricket Club, and played a few non-competitive cricket matches for Lancashire.

Arthur Mold continued to represent Northamptonshire in the following season but hoped to play for Lancashire.

Arthur Mold made his first-class debut for the county in a three-day match against Marylebone Cricket Club starting on 9 May 1889, taking one wicket in a drawn game.

Arthur Mold came close to playing for England when he was included in the squad to play in the third Test match against Australia, but the match was abandoned owing to rain and no play took place.

Arthur Mold established himself as one of the leading bowlers in England during 1891.

Arthur Mold was chosen in a representative match for the first time, playing for the North against the South.

Once more representing the North during 1893, this time in a match against the touring Australian team, Arthur Mold made his debut in the prestigious Gentlemen v Players match, playing for the professional "Players" and taking nine wickets in the game.

Arthur Mold's performances brought about his international debut; he played for England in all three Test matches against Australia, the only such appearances of his career.

Early on the first morning of the three-day match, Arthur Mold came on to bowl when Nottinghamshire had scored 34.

The match reports in both The Times and Wisden commented that Arthur Mold had been lucky never to be no-balled before in his career; he was the most high-profile bowler to be called in the Phillips-led crackdown on bowling actions.

Arthur Mold played another nine times in 1900 without being called for throwing, but he did not play in any of the Lancashire matches umpired by Phillips.

Reports in the press stated that they voted by a majority of eleven to one that Arthur Mold's action was unfair, and that along with other bowlers whose actions were suspected, he should not bowl in the coming season.

Arthur Mold missed two Lancashire matches in which Phillips was an umpire, wishing to avoid a confrontation, but Lancashire were criticised by the public for omitting Mold from these matches.

Under the captaincy of MacLaren, Arthur Mold opened the attack and bowled with Phillips at square leg.

Phillips received criticism for his actions and Arthur Mold had some support in the press.

Arthur Mold played another three matches in 1901 without being no-balled for throwing, but his reputation was ruined and he retired at the end of the season, although Lancashire had offered him a new contract.

Subsequently, Arthur Mold returned to play for Northamptonshire in 1903, and played league cricket in his native county, although he struggled with increasing weight in his later years.

Arthur Mold took up shooting as a hobby and looked after his ailing mother.

Arthur Mold was liked by all his brother professionals, and popular wherever he played.