Colin Blythe, the Kent and England left-arm spinner, was killed in action on this day in 1917. He was the most famous of all the cricketers who died during the First World War. Wisden editor Sydney Pardon paid this tribute in 1918.
Colin Blythe: Born at Deptford May 30, 1879; died on November 3, 1917. Went to Australia 1901-2 and 1907-8; to South Africa 1905-6 and 1909-10; to America (with the Kent team) 1903
The news that Blythe had been killed in France was received everywhere with the keenest regret. In as much as Kenneth Hutchings had practically done with the game before joining the Army, the loss is the most serious that cricket has sustained during the war.
It is true Blythe had announced his intention of playing no more in first-class matches, but quite possibly this decision was not final. He had certainly no need to think of retiring at the age of 38. That Blythe was a great bowler is beyond question. He had no warmer admirers than the many famous batsmen who had the satisfaction of making big scores against him. So far as I know they were unanimous in paying tribute to his remarkable powers.
Blythe’s reputation will rest on his doings in England. His two visits to Australia scarcely added to his fame, and when he went to South Africa in 1905-6 and again in 1909-10, he did not find the matting wickets altogether to his liking. In the second of his South African tours he had a fairly good record, but as he was only picked for two of the five Test matches, he could not have been at his best.
To sum up his career in a phrase, he will live in cricket history as the greatest Kent bowler of modern days. Nearly all his finest work was done for his county. It is pleasant to know that the Kent Committee have decided to put up a suitable memorial to him.
