Charles Warrington Leonard Parker, known as Charlie Parker, was a highly reputed cricket player from England. Born on an unspecified date, Parker made a significant impact during his career as one of the finest slow left-arm bowlers in first-class cricket. He passed away on July 11, 1959, at the age of 74.
Parker’s journey in cricket began when he was recommended to Gloucestershire by the legendary Dr. W.G. Grace. Joining the county staff in 1903, he steadily developed his skills and became a prominent player after the conclusion of the First World War. From 1920 to 1935, when he retired, Parker took over 100 wickets every summer, showcasing his exceptional talent as a bowler. In five seasons, he achieved an impressive feat, dismissing more than 200 batsmen each time. Noteworthy among these achievements were the years 1922 when he dismissed 206 players, 1924 with 204, 1925 totaling 222 wickets, 1926 claiming 213 victims, and finally, 1931, nabbing 219 batsmen. Overall, Parker accumulated a staggering record of 3,278 wickets throughout his distinguished career, only surpassed by W. Rhodes and A.P. Freeman. His bowling average was 19.46 runs per dismissal, highlighting his accuracy and consistency.
Parker’s skillset made him a formidable opponent on pitches that favored his style of bowling. With excellent command of spin, flight, and a remarkable accuracy of length, he proved challenging for any batsman to handle. In fact, his bowling feats were so numerous that it is impossible to chronicle them fully. However, they included an impressive total of six hat-tricks, with three of them occurring during the 1924 season and two in a single match against Middlesex at Bristol. Parker’s incredible abilities were demonstrated when he completely decimated the Somerset team, taking all 10 wickets for just 79 runs in a match at Bristol in 1921. Additionally, he managed to secure nine wickets in an innings on eight different occasions.
One of Parker’s most memorable performances was in 1925 at Gloucester, where his exceptional contribution led to a crushing defeat of Essex. In the first innings, he disposed of nine batsmen, and in the second innings, he took eight wickets for a mere 12 runs in 17 overs, resulting in an extraordinary match analysis of 17 wickets for just 56 runs.
Parker’s career was filled with remarkable moments. In his benefit match at Bristol in 1922, in a particularly challenging game played on rain-damaged turf, he took nine wickets for only 36 runs and hit the stumps five times in consecutive deliveries, although the second was a no-ball. He was also part of the historic “tie” match at Bristol between Gloucestershire and W.M. Woodfull’s Australian side in 1930. Despite the Australians appearing on track for an easy victory, Parker exploited a worn spot effectively. The last nine wickets fell for just 58 runs, and Parker concluded the match with exceptional figures of seven wickets for 54 runs. This achievement was particularly satisfying since he had been excluded from the England XI in the previous Australian fixture, the fifth Test at the Oval, where England was defeated by an innings and 39 runs. Additionally, in the game against Surrey at Cheltenham in 1928, Parker’s bowling skills led to W.R. Hammond successfully holding eight of the 10 catches he made.
While Parker’s consistently outstanding performances established his reputation as one of the best slow left-arm bowlers, his international career was limited to a single match. He represented England against Australia at Old Trafford in 1921. Though the match was negatively impacted by weather conditions, Parker made the best of his opportunities and finished the game with figures of 2 wickets for just 32 runs from 28 overs. He did, however, tour South Africa and the West Indies with teams led by the Hon. L.H. Tennyson.
Following his retirement from playing, Parker served as a first-class umpire for two seasons and later acted as a coach at Cranleigh School. While he was renowned for his cricketing prowess, Parker was also well-known in the West Country for his skills as a golfer.
Charlie Parker’s outstanding contributions to the world of cricket remain a remarkable testament to his talent and dedication to the sport. As one of the finest slow left-arm bowlers, his records and achievements continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.
