Cricket 1883

58 CRICKET; introduce any radical changes, But to re­ word the laws so as to make many rules plain of interpretation, and also to make such amendments as are needed to render the rules more instructive. They propose first to adopt a special code of cricket aws, based on the existing English rules, which they will submit to the committee of the Marylebone Club, accompanied with the important suggestion that an amended code is needed to advance the interest of Cricket in America. T he obscurity of the existing code, as we have already tried to show, seriously retards the growth of the game, and here is a forcible proof of the accuracy of such a contention. A simplification of the rules is a matter of urgency, and, as has been previously remarked in these notes, the only surprise is that a code obviously so defective has been allowed to remain untouched so long. T he news of the disbandment of the members forming Murdoch’s Australian team has hardly died away before rumour with her thousand tongues gives the first whisper o f the probability of the visit of another party of the colonial cricketers to the old country. On the departure of Murdoch and his men last September, it was stated by some of the foremost of the band that some years would in all likeli­ hood elapse before another coalition of Australian cricketers was formed to visit England. And now they are already beginning over there to speculate on the formation of a fourth Australian team, which I have heard from the best source will in every likelihood be seen on Eng- lis cricket fields in 1884. C kicketees everywhere will be pleased to hear of the reward for braverybestowed on one of heir own number last week. On Friday last the Eev. W. B. Weighell, curate of St. Margaret’s, King’s Lynn, was publicly presented with the medal of the BoyalHumane Society, in recognition of his gallant conduct in rescuing a Mrs. Bailey, whose life was endangered by the inundation caused by the high tide on the night of Sunday, March 11. Mr. Weighell was a member of the Cambridge University Eleven, in 1866, and several times played for Sussex. He got into the University Eleven by his fast bowling. He was also a hard hitter, and used to make big scores for the Gentlemen of Sussex. T he tact and geniality shown by the Hon. Ivo Bligh in his position as Cap­ tain of the English team now returning "WEEKLY RECORD OF from Australia, lias had very much to do with the exceeding popularity of the twelve in the Colonies. The high terms in which the whole Australian press speaks of the party cannot fail to be satisfactory to those who desire the development of the game and the enlargement of the intercourse between English and Australia cricketers. A small interlude in the course of the fare­ well dinner to the. Englishmen at Mel­ bourne I have not seen noticed in any of the English papers. During the musical honours which followed the toast of “ Our Guests” at that social gathering, the band somewhat facetiously favoured the com­ pany with the well-known air of Nelly Bly. It is needless to add that the selection gave rise to much laughter. Now that the details of the visit of the English cricketers to Australia are com­ pleted, it would be unbecoming were I not, on behalf of the Editor of C r ic k e t , to acknowledge the courtesy shown by the managers of most of the chief Australian journals, in allowing the re-production from their columns of many items of interest in connection with the tour. Much information respecting the trip which has appearedin C b ic k e t has been derived from the Melbourne Argus , Melbourne Leader >and South Australian Register, and to the proprietors of those, as well other Colonial papers, the editor desires to tender his best thanks. W. H, C oopeb , the Capiain of the V ic­ torian eleven,who did such execution in the last engagement of llie Hon. Ivo Bligh’ s team in Australia, was aptly described by the English Captain at the farewell dinner as an “ insidious bowler.” The correspondent of the Sport- iiuj Life, who by the way is one of the English players, writes also eulogistically of the Victorian, and his comments will be interesting here, as there seems every likelihood that Cooper will accompany the next Australian team to England. “ Cooper is a very excellent slow over-arm bow­ ler, and on a fast wicket is exceedingly effective, having a wonderful amount of work from leg, and is rendered still more difficult to negotiate from the fact that he bowls a high, dropping ball, which is very deceptive in its flight, and rises rapidly off the pitch, and when to this is added the fact that he varies both pitch and pace, it will at once be seen that he is a bowler of more than ordinary merit. Cooper would probably have accompanied the late Australian Eleven to England had not business engagements interfered. M’Shane,” he also adds, ” is an ex­ cellent fast left-handed bowler, while Turner, as well as bsing a most vigorous batsman, is a slow round-arm bowler, with a work from the off. Scott also 13 a fast right-hand bowler, and is looked upon as a most desirable change. At the present time he is regarded as one of the most promising bats in Victoria.” THE GAME. a p r i l 26, l m . SU R R E Y COUNTY CLUB . The following is the annual report of tho Surrey club :— Your Committee have much pleasure in for­ warding their Annual Report. The large balance of £5,000 will be materially reduced by the cost of works id progress, and other items amounting in all to about £1,530, and also by the proposed redemption of the debentures issued by the Club in 1874. At the present moment there are 140 debentures un­ redeemed. Twenty of these will be drawn in May at the rate of £16 10s. each, and your Committee deem the present an excellent opportunity for relieving the Club of its only liability by paying off the remaining 120. They have, therefore, determined to offer to the holders of these remaining debentures 5 per cent, per ann. compound interest, i.e., £15 10s. for each debenture, which with the drawings in May will absorb £2,190. The Subscription list was materially strengthened last season, but some of this in­ crease, it is reasonable to suppose, was due to the unusual attraction of the Australian matches. The past season was in many respects a very important one, and the Committee desire to ex­ press to the members their thanks for the hearty co-operation which was generally afforded them in carrying out regulations which, though some­ what irksome, were for the benefit of all. During the season 164,263 persons paid for admission, and not fewer than 193,000; visited the ground. The banks and stands enabled this large number to obtain a good view of the game, and your Committee venture to think that the arrangements for the crowds which vbited the Oval during the Australian matches were, on the whole, satisfactory. Your Committee think it right, too, to acknowledge the general courtesy of the Australian team, and are pleased to add that their business relations were greatly facilitated by the courtesy and tact of Mr. Beal, the secretary of the team. The Cricket of the County Eleven, though showing a slight improvement, was not, your Committee regret to state, on the whole satis­ factory. Many young players were tried, but despite some early promise none quite reached the desired standard. At the same time it should be stated that accidents deprived the Eleven at one time or other of the valuable help of Jones, Barratt, and Mr. Roller. Your Committee, with a view to the discovery of young players, have decided on repeating the test-practice introduced at the Oval last year, and with the object of a thorough system of trials have altered the competition for the Challenge Cup. This is no longer open to clubs, but to the three divisions of Surrey, and can only be won after a series of trial matches in the different districts of the county. For these matches only players under twenty-five years of age are available. Your Committee urge very strongly, not only on the members but on cricketers throughout the county, the necessity of co-operating with them cordially, and earnestly request anyone hearing of promising talent to communicate immediately with the Secretary at the Oval. Various improvements have been made during the winter for the convenience of the Club as well as the public. The Dressing-room has been enlarged, and a Football Pavilion erected for the accomodation of those who visit the Oval during the winter, and it will doubtless prove a convenience to many who use the ground during the summer. Your Committee have also to report that they have materially in­ creased and improved the staff of ground bowlers. During last year Messrs. A. P. Lucas and J. H. Bridges resigned their places on your