The country cared for him, provided warmth to counter the cold viciousness of tuberculosis. Yet, the fair, blue eyed and handsome young man did not return the affection on Valentine’s Day, 1896.

Fate had inserted a deadly spoke in the joyous wheel of George Lohmann's cricketing and other fortunes. In the summer of 1892 he contracted tuberculosis. Following the instructions of the physicians of the day, he spent his winters in South Africa.

Recovering his health bit by bit, the great bowler turned out for Western Province and on the matting wickets of South Africa, he proved more unplayable than ever.

Yet, when a second string England side toured under Lord Hawke in 1895-96, he joined forces with his countrymen and tormented the batsmen of the country that had provided him with rest and recuperation.

The first Test was played at Port Elizabeth — a three-day fixture. Lohmann bowled unchanged for 15.4 five-ball overs and picked up 7 for 38. And on the Valentine's day, as shadows lengthened, he needed just 49 balls to skittle out 8 batsmen for 7 runs. South Africa managed 30 in 18.4 overs, and the match ended with time to spare on the second day.

In his 16th over, Lohmann bowled Frederick Cook and Bonnor Middleton, and then had Joseph Willoughby was caught by Tom Hayward, to end the match with a hat-trick.

That was not all. In the next Test at Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, he took 9 for 28 in the first innings. Lohmann ended the series with 35 wickets at 5.80 apiece.

Text: Arunabha Sengupta

Illustration: Maha