Former England captain Archie MacLaren ran Robinsonโs cricket affairs. The โcountry houseโ hospitality drew many of the notable players of the era, such as Michael Falcon.
Stephen Musk roots his story in Norfolk, and the wider world of cricket, and traces links to MacLarenโs famous win over the 1921 tourists at Eastbourne.
Stephen Musk was born in Norwich. Aged twelve his father suggested that he cycle the four miles to the County Ground at Lakenham to watch Norfolk play. He has rarely missed a home dayโs play since. Educated at the Norwich School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, he was awarded a doctorate in cell biology in 1987 and a career in scientific research beckoned.
He is the author of Michael Falcon: Norfolkโs Gentleman Cricketer (ACS, Lives in Cricket: 15) and George Raikes: 'Muscular Christianity?' (ACS, Lives in Cricket: 46). This volume on Lionel Robinson is a logical continuation of his interest in cricketing matters in Norfolk.
The undoubted highlight of Stephenโs life was on 12 August 1978, when he was โpluckedโ from the crowd at Lakenham as a substitute fielder for Norfolk against neighbouring rivals Suffolk. Although he had always been an appalling fielder, fortune smiled that Saturday, despite the murky light and drenching rain. He even had a favourable mention in the press.