Touring in the 1950s

Undiscouraged by a defeat earlier that month against the MCC in the Netherlands, The Flamingos set out on August 10, 1953 for their A tour to England. The best performance of the tour was probably on Lord's. Joop van der Luur's 6 for 66 was of great allure. He did not get a victory with his efforts. A draw was the result. The dinner afterwards took place under the chairmanship of Sir Pelham Warner and was of exceptional culinary and oratorial quality.

Tired by their drills at Lords, The Flamingos did little against The Free Foresters the following weekend in Bury St. Edmunds. But that did not bother them, for the reception they received on Saturday evening more than paid off. It took place at Ampton Hall, home of Sir Pierce Lacy, a stockbroker and High Sheriff of Suffolk several decades before.

Peter van Arkel and the RAF

A final highlight of the tour, after a day of rest, was during the two-day against the RAF at their barracks in Henlow. Although the RAF took office without any really big names, it turned out to be such an efficient team that the Flamingos only managed to score 104 runs against the Air Force attack. After the RAF had answered with 241 for 9, it was Peter van Arkel's turn to draw everyone's attention to himself. His innings of 109 was one of the best ever played by a Dutchman against an English team, as the experts agreed. In fact, it no longer mattered that the RAF had won the battle. Peter's throne was his for the time being.

Best known personalities in cricket

Three years later they also travelled to England, this time because of the centenary of The Free Foresters. The highlight of the mini tour was not on the cricket pitch, but in the chic Dorchester Hotel, where a large number of guests dined exquisitely. As usual, a limited number of speakers took to the floor. The highlight of the evening was H.S. Altman, the author of the famous History of Cricket. The Dutch people present were particularly proud of their own Hugo van Manen, who in his acceptance speech rivalled the eloquence of Harry Altman, according to his Wisden obituary "among the best-known personalities in the world of cricket".

The fact that in the anniversary match against the Foresters; 'Hopper' Read already had three Flamingo wickets in the bag after seven balls, makes it somewhat unnecessary to mention the final result.