logo
Britain's most famous authors form a cricket team

Britain's most famous authors form a cricket team

Yahooa day ago
JM Barrie, second right, bowls as part of his all-star author cricket team [Supplied]
On a summer's day in 1887, in the middle of a Surrey village green, you may just have heard the men behind Sherlock Holmes, Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh crying in unison: "Howzat?!"
It could seem far-fetched to imagine some of Britain's most celebrated authors lined up in a slip cordon, but it was entirely possible as Peter Pan author JM Barrie had enlisted fellow writers AA Milne and Arthur Conan Doyle to join his cricket team.
Advertisement
And on a cricket pitch near Shere, Barrie's band of illustrious authors came together for the first time for their joint sporting pursuit.
But while their writing lives on for generations, their cricketing ability, by their own account, left much to be desired.
"They got absolutely trashed," said Andrew Baker, a Shere historian.
"Everyone else took it seriously and they came along being much less serious.
"Some of them didn't get a lot of runs or wickets. Barrie was very proud of occasionally scoring one run."
'Heaven help us'
Formed by Barrie, the team was named the Allahakhbarries, a play on the Arabic phrase meaning "God is great" and the author's surname.
Advertisement
Pointing to his humour and recognition of his cricketing ability, however, the name reportedly came from a mistaken belief that the phrase actually meant "heaven help us".
In their first game, on a pitch in Albury Heath, Barrie and his band of authors were beaten by the landlord of The White Horse in Shere, who as a handy cricketer scored many of the opposition's runs and took many of their wickets.
The Allahakbarries, regarded by some as the first celebrity cricket team, originally included Barrie and Conan Doyle alongside Jeeves and Wooster creator PG Wodehouse.
AA Milne joined later and unsuccessful attempts were made to recruit Rudyard Kipling and HG Wells.
AA Milne, middle row first left, and JM Barrie, middle row third left, lined up in a team photo [Supplied]
Of the group, Conan Doyle stood out for his sporting aptitude. Having also featured for the Lords-based Marylebone Cricket Club, the Sherlock Holmes' writer's ability towered over that of his teammates.
Advertisement
On Barrie, Mr Baker said: "He wasn't an athletic man, he was short, asthmatic and wore glasses.
"There's a picture of him bowling left handed where his arm is not quite at the vertical."
Writing in a booklet on the team, Barrie recalled the tails of the team, including allegedly only learning on the way to a game that a new player did not know which side of the bat to use to hit the ball.
The team played semi-regularly until the outbreak of World War One, when they disbanded.
In his diary, Barrie reportedly wrote: "The Last Cricket Match. One or two days before war declared – my anxiety and premonition – boys gaily playing cricket at Auch, seen from my window.
Advertisement
"I know they're to suffer. I see them dropping out one by one, fewer and fewer."
Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
More on this story
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Head-to-Toe White Is the Only Way to Dress for a Heatwave – Here's How to Do It, Brunello Cucinelli-Style
Head-to-Toe White Is the Only Way to Dress for a Heatwave – Here's How to Do It, Brunello Cucinelli-Style

Yahoo

time13 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Head-to-Toe White Is the Only Way to Dress for a Heatwave – Here's How to Do It, Brunello Cucinelli-Style

During a July heatwave, white isn't just a style statement, it's a smart strategy. Enter 'The Perfect Match', a new capsule collection by Brunello Cucinelli, created exclusively for Harrods and launched in style this weekend atop the store's helipad. While the edit isn't strictly head-to-toe white, it channels the same sun-friendly elegance – crisp, clean and quietly luxurious. Inspired by the grace of Wimbledon – and by the long-running partnership between the Solomeo-based brand and Harrods – the collection plays on contrasts: sport and style, tradition and modernity, relaxation and refinement. The tennis influence is clear in cotton polo shirts with striped collars, soft cable-knit vests and tailored Bermuda shorts – each in tones ranging from optic white to ivory and chalk. Cucinelli's genius lies in layering pale tones with subtle texture and depth – white paired with cloud-grey nylon trousers, a stone-toned blazer over a pearl tee, or pure silk tuxedo tailoring in shades just shy of cream. It's understatement, but artfully done. The key to wearing lots of white? Play with fabrics, not just shades. Think crisp cotton against slubby linen, or matte jersey next to silk twill – it's this contrast that stops your outfit feeling flat or, worse, you looking like The Man from Del Monte. Another perennial tip is to anchor the outfit with detail – a discreet logo, a tailored waistband, or a well-placed accessory – to avoid looking like you literally have wandered off Centre Court. The menswear in 'The Perfect Match' is built for movement and ease – featherweight cashmere, fluid cuts and clean lines that with some carefully selecting will work everywhere, from the boardroom to the beach. Cucinelli, long known as the 'philosopher king' of Italian fashion, believes dressing well is a form of respect. And this is elegance that thrives in the heat, not wilts under Might Also Like The Best Men's Sunglasses For Summer '19 There's A Smartwatch For Every Sort Of Guy What You Should Buy For Your Groomsmen (And What They Really Want)

HBO's new Harry Potter series will premiere in 2027
HBO's new Harry Potter series will premiere in 2027

The Verge

time15 minutes ago

  • The Verge

HBO's new Harry Potter series will premiere in 2027

Warner Bros. Discovery's new Harry Potter series for HBO and HBO Max will premiere in 2027, the company announced. Production has started on the show in the UK. The show is set to be a 'faithful adaptation of the beloved Harry Potter books,' according to WBD, and the original Harry Potter movies will still be available on HBO Max. When the show was first announced in 2023, WBD said it would be a 'decade-long series.' WBD also released an on-set picture of Dominic McLaughlin, who is playing Harry Potter, in his Hogwarts robes. Newcomers Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton will play Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The company announced some new cast members, too: Rory Wilmot will play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson will play Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey will play Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser (who you might recognize as Lio Partagaz from Andor) will play Garrick Ollivander. WBD has trickled out other cast announcements over the past few months, including that John Lithgow will play Dumbledore. Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has been heavily criticized for hurtful comments toward the transgender community, is serving as an executive producer on the series.

The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's Dazzling New Ring Stack
The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's Dazzling New Ring Stack

Vogue

time20 minutes ago

  • Vogue

The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton's Dazzling New Ring Stack

When the Princess of Wales returned to royal duties following chemotherapy treatment last year, fans quickly clocked that she had added a new eternity ring to her collection, believed to be Cartier's Étincelle de Cartier wedding band. Over the past year, Kate has often been photographed wearing the $6,300 platinum ring, comprising 19 brilliant-cut diamonds and 19 brilliant-cut sapphires, in lieu of her more famous 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire engagement ring, which Prince William inherited from Princess Diana following her death. There was much discussion about why the Princess was wearing her new Cartier ring—often paired with her wedding band and another diamond eternity ring, believed to have been gifted by William to mark Prince George's birth in 2013—instead of her larger engagement ring. Perhaps it was simply a more everyday choice (Kate has tended to wear the latter at more formal events, such as last year's Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall.) The Princess of Wales wore her two eternity bands with her 12-carat oval-cut Ceylon sapphire engagement ring for the first time at Wimbledon over the weekend. But at Wimbledon at the weekend, Kate wore her engagement ring with both of her eternity rings, as well as her wedding band, for the first time. It comes as ring stacking is becoming increasing popular—particularly among new brides. 'We're increasingly seeing clients choose to style their eternity ring stacked with their engagement ring and wedding band, or wear it alone for a more relaxed look,' Eliza Walter, founder of Lylie Jewellery, tells Vogue. 'In warmer months or during summer holidays, many opt to wear just their wedding band and eternity ring together—a combination that feels both effortless and meaningful.' Of course, eternity rings are often deeply meaningful, traditionally bought to mark special milestones (there is speculation that Kate's Étincelle de Cartier wedding band was gifted to her by William to mark their 13th wedding anniversary last year). 'Eternity rings are a timeless symbol, a circle of precious metal traditionally set with stones all the way around, representing an unbroken bond and infinite commitment,' jeweler Rachel Boston explains. 'The continuous line of diamonds or gemstones is a reminder that, like the ring itself, true love has no beginning or end.' If Kate's choice of jewelry at Wimbledon is anything to go by, it seems that the ring stacking trend isn't going anywhere. All the better if each piece is imbued with sentimental value—a collection that's been inherited or built up over the years.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store