Maurice Jewell

Maurice Frederick Stewart Jewell, CBE (15 September 1885 – 28 May 1978) was an English cricketer: a right-handed batsman and slow left arm bowler who played the bulk of his first-class cricket for Worcestershire between the wars.

Jewell was born in Iquique, Chile, where his father was the British Vice Consul. The family returned to England, and Maurice was educated at Marlborough College and agricultural college. His first-class debut came in 1909 for Worcestershire against Oxford University in a 12-a-side match; he batted at number ten and scored 10 not out and 4. With the exception of one outing for Surrey's seconds two years later, his next appearance was not to be until 1913, when he played for HK Foster's XI: again against Oxford University, and again in a 12-a-side game. In 1914, Jewell finally appeared in the County Championship; having a qualification, he appeared for Sussex.

He married Elsie Taylor, sister of his Worcestershire team-mate William Taylor, in 1911. He served in the army during World War I, reaching the rank of major.

When county cricket resumed in 1919, he played five times for Sussex in the Championship (taking his first wicket, that of Andy Ducat, in June) but also appeared for Worcestershire (who did not re-enter the Championship until the following season) in a number of first-class friendly matches. It was in the last of these, in late August, that he took 7-56 against Warwickshire; these were to remain his career-best bowling figures.

From 1920 onwards, he appeared for Worcestershire. His first-class statistics were relatively modest, but his dedication to Worcestershire kept them going through lean times. He had three stints as county captain, in 1920-21, 1926 and 1928-29: his obituary in Wisden said that "he was prepared to step into the breach when no one else would". He was an indefatigable fund-raiser for the county team: "He formed a concert party which toured the county in the off-season to raise money to pay professionals and improve the club's grounds and facilities."

Not always able to play regularly, in his best year, 1926, he hit 920 runs at 27.05, and compiled his only two centuries: 103 and 125, scored opening the batting in each of two matches against Hampshire. He also claimed 22 wickets, including 5-69 against Leicestershire. He toured Argentina with MCC that winter, though with little personal success.

Jewell captained a team of amateur cricketers (some of whom had once played first class cricket) under the name the Gentlemen of Worcestershire. This team included Peter Huntington-Whiteley and Robin Whetherly. They were ordered not to lose by the MCC because of the growing tensions between the UK and Nazi Germany. The Gentlemen of Worcestershire won all three matches comfortably. Jewell made a friend in Felix Menzel, a man that was the champion of German Cricket. He talked about him to Hans von Tschammer und Osten, who felt that cricket could never become a steady sport in Germany. Jewell scored a century in his final match in Berlin, but hit only 4 boundaries - because of the width of the pitch. After he had finished his innings he collapsed onto a deckchair and fell asleep - still in his whites.

Jewell played little from 1930 onwards because of ill-health, and his final first-class game came in 1933, when he made 3 and 16 against the touring West Indians. Thereafter he maintained his association with Worcestershire, serving as President from 1950 to 1955.

He led a local battalion of the Home Guard in World War II. He was awarded the CBE in 1954, "For public services in Worcestershire". He died in Whiteleaf, Buckinghamshire at the age of 92.

Several of Jewell's relations played first-class cricket: his brothers Arthur and John both played for Orange Free State (Arthur also appeared for Worcestershire) and his nephew (also John) played twice for Worcestershire in 1939. His brother-in-law William Taylor also captained Worcestershire.