Cricket 1883

MAY 3, 1883; CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME, 73 had very much to do with their success. It was, to a great extent, their systematic and unselfish training on the cricket grounds in the colonies that conduced to their most notable triumphs and for this alone they thoroughly deserved their laurels. We have heard much about the “ revered ashes of English cricket ” in connection with this tour, but it is not our intention in any way to touch on the question of the present resting place of those interesting relics. The English Captain quaintly suggested the advisa­ bility of a decent burial, and no one on this side will, we fancy, object to their interment. The team which the Hon. Ivo Bligh commanded have done very much to uphold the reputation of Eng­ lish cricketers. They played like sports­ men, and they bore themselves equably whether they were losing or winning. From the Captain, whose tact was as conspicuous at the festivities which fol­ lowed as it was during the match itself, to the lowest in social status, they were popular to a man, and the Colonial papers are unanimous in their verdict that none of the English teams which have visited Australia have left with such universal feelings of regret. On the advisability of these interchanges ofvisits in the abstract there may be differences of opinion. Of the success of this last trip of English players, from every point of view there appears to be a consensus of feeling in Australia. This must be eminently satisfactory to all who value the good name of English Cricket. And while congratulating them on their pluck which contributed so much to their success, Englishmen of' all classes will give them a warm greeting and hearty welcome on their return home. - ^ P / I Y m i 0 ^ v G 0 ^ I P ^ The abstract and brief chro llcle of the time.— Hamlet. T h e Southern Colts unless there is— a consummation devoutly to be wished—a great improvement in the quality of the material, are likely to have some trouble with the Northerners, whom they are to meet at Lord’s to-day to open the London season. Painter, of Gloucester­ shire, has already figured, and with some success, for his County, but most of the other youngsters on the Southern side have not as yet been put to any severe test, though the five forming the Surrey contingent have had some practice of a certain kind. On the other hand several of the Northern team have already made their mark,and those of Notts particularly have recently proved their form. G. Bean, of Sutton Ashfield, it will be remembered, scored two good innings of forty-four and twenty-two for the Nottingham Colts against thebowlingof Shaw,Flowers, Atte- welland Wright; andShacklock and Smith both batted fairly well on the same occa­ sion. H. Richardson, who also hails from Notts, is said to be above the average, and only recently in localmatches on succeed­ ing Saturdays he was credited with note­ worthy feats of bowling. Sugg, one of the four representatives of Yorkshire, is said to be a wicket-keeper o f very con­ siderable promise, and it is reported that he has been already engaged for more than one match with the County eleven this season. W. Cropper played for Derbyshire during most of last year, and proved himself to be one of the most capable cricketers in the team. It is difficult to see what purpose his appear­ ance, and that of Painter, both of them already well tried,will serve in what ought to be a test of players not previously tested in an important match. As I was alone in announcing his selection, I have much pleasure in stating that the Hon. Robert Grimston was duly elected yesterday, to serve in the presi­ dency of the Marylebone Club for the next twelve months. I shall not, I hope, be thought to reflect on the many eminent worthies who have occupied the post in the past, when I repeat that none have ever more thoroughly won the suffrages of the whole body of cricketers than the newly elected president. A life’s active and unwearying service in the cause of cricket, is what very few can boast. In 1887 the Marylebone Club will reach its centenary. Yesterday it held its ninety-seventh meeting, and four years more will witness its completion of a cen- turyinthe cause of cricket. It is pleasant as well as instructive to note the steady development of the game since the time when that canny Scot, Thomas Lord, forced, as it is said, to leave his native land in consequence of his Jacobite predilections, took the piece of ground now occupied by Dorset Square, and gave it the historic title of Lord’s, a title known now in every quarter of the globe. “ O ld manners changed, old cus­ toms gone.” Tall hats and nankeen breeches have given way to caps and jackets of every conceivable hue, com­ bining every possible eccentricity and fantastic arrangement of colour. To protect the limbs of cricketers, science has been called in to devise coverings which were unknown in the olden times, when men had to stand up to face the fastest bowling on grounds wanting the religious care now bestowed for the pro­ duction of easy wickets, without pads, gloves, or any appliances embraced in the wardrobe of the modern player. Old manners changed, old customs g on e! But the “ grand old ” game itself remains very much as it was a hundred years ago. It is strange, indeed, how slight the changes that have taken place in the working of the game during the close of a century passed since the M.C.C. first saw the light. And for the preser­ vation of the character of the game, we have, all cricketers will be proud to admit, in a great measure to thank the law-makers who have so resolutely up­ held its dignity and moral tone. M o r l e y ’ s name is down on the list of players likely to represent Notts against Surrey at Nottingham on Whit Monday, so that it is to be hoped the left-hander, who despite his accident bowled up with such resolution in Australia, will be well enough to take his own part this year, rumours to the contrary notwithstanding. Selby is at present suffering from an injury to his hand, and Sherwin has sprained himself so badly that it is just possible he may not be able to take the wicket. The eleven announced are Mr. C. W . Wright, Barnes, Butler, Flowers, Gunn, Morley, Scotton, Shrewsbury, Sherwin and Wright, and if Mr. Wright and Morley should be unable to play, their places will be taken by E . Mills, who is engaged this season at the Oval, and S. Brown, of Kimberley, aJColt. Mr. W. W . Bead will be back jfrom Australia in time to help Surrey, but it is doubt­ ful whether Jones, who is now getting the benefit of the sea air at Margate, will be sufficiently recovered to take part in the match. “ T h is night we hold an old accustomed feast.” The Nondescripts’ dinner last Fri­ day at the Holborn Restaurant was a great success, and nearly seventy members of the club sat down. Mr. Rutland Barring­ ton, who has performed with credit on the cricket as well as the football field, and Mr. George Grossmith, were among the contributors to the evening’s amuse­ ment. The menu was as neat a thing of the kind as I have seen, and, liberally adorned with Shakspearian quotations appropriate to the occasion, is quite worthy of retention. S e v e k a l hundred people, I learn from the Athletic News, assembled at the Cen­ tral Station, Manchester, on Thursday