Dick Tyldesley

Dick Tyldesley Biography

Dick Tyldesley was a leg-spinner for Lancashire who played a key role in the great run of the county side between 1926 and 1930.

The youngest of the four brothers who played for Lancashire, he was, however, unrelated to the famed siblings Johnny and Ernest.

A wrist-spinner of considerable ability who also hit the ball hard and was a fantastic close-in fielder, Tyldesley developed finger-spin during the 1923 season to be effective on sticky wickets as well. This made him a dangerous bowler in the wet season of 1924.

However, when he was taken on the Ashes tour of 1924-25, the Australian wickets proved to be too unresponsive for his style. He got his wickets at 41 apiece on the tour. However, with Australian paceman Ted McDonald joining Lancashire, Tyldesley formed a highly effective bowling combination with him. It was this partnership that gave them the Championship in 1926, 1927 and 1928.

Despite a recall against the 1930 Australians, however, his Test bowling was not that successful. He played his last at Headingley, watching Don Bradman make 309 on the first day, he himself finishing with 2 for 104.

Tyldesley ended his career for Lancashire in 1931 after a dispute with the committee. He died young at just 43 years of age.

Arunabha Sengupta