Cricket 1884

22 CBICKET; A WEEKLY KECORD OF THE GAME. feb . 28, ism . ment. On arriving it becomes evident that some one, referred to indiscriminately as “ Wheezer” and “ Chump,” is being badly used. He is successively ordered to “ slip,’ to “ mid-on,” and to “ cover-point,” and doesn’t like it. He patiently bears all the indignity, however, until the captain, a gorgeous person, dressed in the solitary grandeur ol complete flannels, sends him to “ deep-leg.” Then his choler finds vent, and he wants to know where you’ll put him next, be Heavens ! He’ll go to any extra— (bloomin’)—ordinary place if you want him, but he wants to know if you’ve quite made up your mind where it is to be. Observing his near proximity to another fielder, he sarcastically remarks that he supposes he is now “ Longstop’s mate,” or something. He sulks, and consequently the first ball sent to him easily escapes his hand. “ Now, then, Wheezer, ’’ roar all the team at once ; “ why don’t you keep your legs together and stop ’em ? ” This is cruel and personal, because Wheezer has the misfortune to be very bandy. As each wicket falls, a yell of triumph celebrates the event. A knot of players, waiting their turn to bat, are sitting under a tree—smoking, applauding, and offering remarks which are sometimes more pointed than delicate. The last batters are denied the luxury of pads, these precious belong­ ings of the club having been monopolised by their wicketkeeper, who is solemnly preparing himself for his coming duties. Presently the first team are disposed of, and their opponents go in. There are loud calls for an “ Empire,” and a youth glorying in the euphonious appellation of “ Switcher ” is duly appointed. By this time your connexion with the press has been ferreted out, and you imme­ diately become the cynosure of all eyes. The players solicit your good will by every blandishment at their command. You must put all their names in the paper. An at­ tempt is made to bribe you. If you will have a chaw of tobacco, it is at your service. A drink is modestly mentioned, with a win­ ning smile, and an apology, followed by the comment, “ Beg pardon, no offence.” You are confidentially requested not to forget Schooner ’as took four wickets in five balls, because it’ll do Schooner a lot o’ good ; and a person of stunted growth, who has per­ spired all too freely for his comfort, reminds you not to let the glamour of the batting and bowling blind you to the merit of the wicket-keeping — you know. They crowd round you negligently, and give you the benefit of their criticism. “ Ah,” says one, “ Dickey is a pretty bat, if he only knowed it. All he wants is practice,” a fact proved on the instant by Dickey’s being clean bowled by a “ soft Yorker.” Dickey is very wroth. Swinging his bat round his head he flings it to the earth with a violent exple­ tive, observing that he never could play on hard ground. This is a convenient moment for refreshment. Two or three beer bottles are produced, and each player takes a swig, being carefully watched the while by ex­ pectant thirsty ones. The game is resumed. Forty-seven and forty-five are the scores as the last man, the veritable Wheezer, takes the bat. He is a very frisky young man. Tightly costumed as to his lower extremities, he stalks about, the very embodiment of the “ strutting player, whose conceit lies in his hamstring.” Confidence and rigidity mark his attitude as he poses at the wicket. ‘ ‘ He might make one or two,” dubiously ventures the captain, but a murmur of greater doubt comes from his team. Only three wanted to win, and only Wheezer to depend upon, is a critical position. The bold Wheezer, however, no­ thing daunted, swipes grievously at every ball, and at last makes a run. “ Hooray, Wheezer ! only one wanted now to tie ; play steady,” shout the confederates. Wheezer, flushed with success, marks not the change of bowling from fast to slow. He advances to the first ball with glaring eye, raises his bat aloft, outs a nimble caper, and strikes with such force that were he to hit the ball it would certainly be lost for ever. But, un­ fortunately, he does not hit it ; and, sad blow to his hopes, is “ stumped.” Illegally stumped, as he avers, and he loudly com­ plains of the “ hankey-doodleum ” tricks of “ empire.” The match is over, wickets are drawn, and the players go away in groups with their bats and pads tied in bundles on their shoulders. T H E M A R Y L E B O N E CLUB OF A U S T R A L IA . From the Sydney Mail. B y W . J. H ammeksley .* It may at first sight seem rather bump­ tious for any Victorian to assume the above title for any cricket club in this colony ; hut I think, with all due deference to the other' colonies and to cricketers of other clubs, I can show sufficient cause why the above heading may justly be applied to the Mel­ bourne Cricket Club. ‘ ‘ What great events from trivial causes spring.” The truth of this most trite proverb was vividly brought before me as, a few days ago, in the conve­ nient, well-built pavilion of the M.C.C., I perused some writing on a sheet of letter paper as it now hangs framed and glazed in the club-room The writing is as follows :— It is proposed to forma club -with one guinea subscription. A. Powlett (pd), E. Bussell (pd\ A. M. Munday (pd)' C. F. N. Munday (pd), G. B. Smyth (pd). Smith Meek Donald M'Arthur Jamieson P. Snodgrass Webster Wm. Ryrie Brock Highett Allen Williams Hind Sams Pitman Baochus Account for two bats,^ balls, and stumps, £2 8 s. Paid. The above is a copy of the original list of the Mel­ bourne Cricket Club in the possession of the under­ signed, the first five names as signed, the remainder merely proposed. R obt , B ussell , October 26, 1839. The above is a copy of the memorandum drawn up, and such was the origin of a club which has now 3,000 members, and aground which I do not suppose, for its playing turf, its completeness, and its buildings, can be surpassed in the world ; even the far-famed Lord’s I do not think can compare with it, judging by what I hear, for it is so many years since I saw Lord’s Ground. My acquaintance with the M.C.C. ground dates from April, 1856, and I think tbe first Victorian cricketer’s acquaintance I made was that of old Coulstock, one afternoon on the ground during the winter. I have already told the Mail readers what the ground was then like, with its little open * Mr. Hammersley, some thirty years ago, was well known in connection with English cricket. He was a contemporary of Mr. John Walker, in the Cambridge Eleven ol 1847, and played subsequently for Surrey and tbe Marylebone Club, till he emigrated to Austra­ lia inl856. iron fence all round, through which the cows in the neighbouring paddock used to break in order to get at the rich herbage inside. Then Mr. W. C. Haines was Premier—as fine an old English gentleman as ever lived; and Mr. D. S. Campbell, Mr. D. C. M'Arthur, Mr. Powlett, Mr. Hull, Mr. Tom Hamilton, and other old identities took great interest in the club. Sure but slow was the progress of the club for many years, and it is only of late that it has made such giant’s strides as to justify me in adopting for it the title I have proposed as the head­ ing of this article. Naturally the main cause of the club’s attaining its present position is the splendid site of the ground. Whoever picked it out deserves to have a statue thereon. It is so appropriate and so handy to the city, and yet quite in the country, so that sitting on the balcony of the new stand one can almost feel one’s self far removed from the busy haunts of men. It is quite a rus in urbe. On the hill to the right you obtain a splen­ did view of the vice-regal residence, and a finer site for a Government house could not be found in Australia. The hills are clothed with verdure, and in spring-time the view is lovely. On the left the hills shut out the view of Richmond, and as the rising ground between is covered with trees, on that side also all is green and fresh ; indeed, looking from the pavilion, one sees nothing to remind you that you are within five minutes’ walk of Collins-street. The club’s reserve is about 10 acres, but of course the playing part is not more than six, the circular rink being 546 yards long, and round this is now being erected an elegant iron fence to cost about £600. This will set off the playing ground very much, and it will serve to keep back the crowd at grand matches, which are so fond of rushing the open space. The new pavilion is of dark red brick, picked out with white, three stories high, with slanting gable roof, with a verandah on the ground floor and a balcony above. The front is over 100 feet long. On the ground floor is a large clubroom, with private sanctum for the secretary also. At the back is a fine spa­ cious bar. On the second floor are a large luncheon-room, a. reading-room, and billiard- room with two capital tables. There are also dressing-rooms for members and for visitors. The building has a rather heavy look, but it is a good substantial one, and will last a century or two without repairs. The ceilings are open, of varnished pine, and have a good effect. The space in front of the pavilion is asphalted, so there is no dust. In the centre of the upper part is the big clock, the beauty and utility of which, I hear, Mr. Bonnor has backed him­ self to destroy by hitting a ball into it some time during the season in a match, I feel iuclined to back the clock. The cost of the pavilion was about £3,000, and Mr. Salway, the champion prizetaker, was the architect. Inside the long clubroom are many interesting photos of old cricketers and patrons of cricket, but it is to be re­ gretted that the idea of preserving these “ memories of the past” was.not acted on long ago. Amongst the “ photos ” and prints is a print of the match in 1858. In the foreground are Mr. Haines, Mr. Dal. Campbell, Mr. Coppiri, Mr. D. S. Campbell, Mr. G. Kirk, Mr. Joe Rhodes, and other “ old identities,” The score of this match is carefully preserved in a separate frame. It was, as may be remembered, the first match Victoria won, the two previous ones having been won by New South Wales. There is a very old print of the England Next Issue of CRICKET will be published Thursday, March 27.