Cricket 1882

“ Toge ther jo ined in Cricket’s m an ly toil.”— Byron. THURSDAY, SEPT. 21, 1882. S AM U E L PERCY JONES. On his public form of last season there were few better players in the Colonies than the young cricketer whose portrait we are able to present this week. So marked indeed was his success in some of the principal contests, that there was a general feeling of Satisfaction in English cricket circles when it was learned that he was to form one of the Australian Eleven to visit this country. For a player comparatively so inexperienced, his home record had been a very brilliant one. We say inexperienced, because it is only since his arrival here tha t he has attained lids majority, and it is not two years since he played in his first Inter-colonial match. New South Wales can claim Jones as one of its very best native cricketers. He was born in Sydney on August 1st, 1861, and it is with Sydney cricket that he has been solely identified. Educated at the Grammar School in that city, it was not long before he began to show extra­ ordinary aptitude for the game. When very young indeed he was known as the best boy-cricketer in Sydney. Singularly enough, to those who have noted his records here, it was as a bowler rather than as a batsman that he first attained distinction. In the Inter-colonial School Match, Sydney Grammar School v. Mel­ bourne Grammar School, Jones bowled with great success. This was perhaps the foundation of his reputation, and the expectations formed of his play from this initial effort were fully realised on his next appearance in public. In 1878, a fixture was inaugurated between Sydney University and the Combined Schools of Sydney. It was in the second of these contests, in October, 1878, at Sydney, that Jones first brought himself into prominent notice. On this occasion he was not only the highest scorer for the Schools, with an average of 57, but he also bowled with great effect. It was the deadly nature of his bowling in this match that gave him the first step in his promotion, and since that time his advance has been sure. His connection with the Carlton Club enabled him to secure the advantage of good practice, and for several seasons he has been one of the best known players in connection with that society. In 1880, Jones matriculated at the University of Sydney, and since that time he has played regularly with the University Club. In the Inter-colonial Universities’ Match, played on the Melbourne Ground, on January 7th, 1881, he took a very prominent part. On that occasion, Sydney made a long innings of 423, and to this Jones contributed the second score of 83. Garrett was also one of the Sydney eleven in that match, but ho failed to get a batsman out in either of the two Melbourne innings, while Jones was singularly successful, hav­ ing the best analysis of 205 balls for 57 runs, and seven wickets. Jones’s first Inter-colonial Match was at Melbourne, on December 27tli, 1880, and though he onljt scored thirteen raus, hi3. bowling proved of some service, resulting in the second innings in two wickets for 19 runs. That his form then was promising enough his subsequent position proves, and it need only be added that since that time he has played in every match for his colony. Jones’s record in connectionwith Sydney University has been brilliant, and he has been justly regarded as the best all-round player in the team. Last season he won both the batting and bowling averages in connection with that club. His batting average for the University was 56, and it is worthy of remark that at home when he has bowled with Garrett, who is also a member of Sydney University, he has always been the moi-a successful. We have already called attention to his exceptionally fine cricket of last Australian season. He played four times against Shaw’s Australian Eleven, and was three times not out for an aggregate of 63. His best feat though was his 109 for New South Wales against Victoria, in the memorable match when the Colony made the huge total of 775. When the Australian Eleven now in England was in course of formation, Jones was not among the original choices. His omission gave great offence to the press as well as the public of New South Wales, and when the retirement of Evans gave him a place in the team, the Colonial press generally expressed their satisfaction at his presence. He made a favourable debut in England with a useful score of thirty-nine against Oxford University; but generally he has failed to play up to his Australian reputation as a batsman and bowler, more particu­ larly in bowling. At Canterbury he played two really good innings, but other­ wise he has been disappointing. He is a very steady bat, having excellent defence. He plays back more than the majority of the Australian team, and comes down very hard on the ball. His bowling is medium-pace, with a break-back, though he can make the ball go both ways, and can get a lot of work on. He is a smart and sure field as well as a safe catch, and in this department, at least in England, has fully upheld his reputation. Jones stands 5ft. 10J inches in height, and weighs list. 51bs. He is also an excellent football player. N otice . —The account of the match between the C.U.A.C.C. and the N.Z.L. and M.A.C.C.C. was inserted in error, the contest simply being a “ pick­ up ” between the two teams.