Cricket 1885

“ Together joined in cricket’s m an ly toil.”— Byron. w J & O L S k TH U R SD A Y , JU L Y 2 , 1885 . M R . K IN G S M IL L J A M E S KEY . I n the old Cliftonian who has, during the last two seasons, rendered Buoh eicellent service with the bat for Oxford University, Surrey can lay claim to a cricketer, not only born within its limits but bound to the County by every tie. Born at Manor Park Terrace, Streatham, on Oct. 11, 1864, Mr. Key can also point to another qualification by virtue of an unbroken residence of close on twenty-one years in that parish. His father, Sir K. G. Key, some thirty years ago was well known in connection with Metropolitan cricket. His name figures prominently—some three de­ cades since—in the scores of the old Clapton Club, one of the best Clubs at the time in the neighbourhood of Lon­ don. A keen supporter of the game, as all who take an active part in tha management of Surrey cricket know well, it is not a surprise that his enthu­ siasm should have been fully inherited by his sou. Mr. Key’s connection with Clifton College was commenced while he was only in his tenth year, so that the School which has reared so many famous players deserves all the credit, too, of his cricket education. His first promotion was in 1877, when he secured a place in the Junior Eleven, and this was followed, three years later, by liis attainment of his colours as one of tho School Twenty-two. Strangely enough, as was the case with Mr. Bainbridge at Eton, he first came into notice as a bowler, and it was his bowling, indeed, which secured him a position in tlie Clifton Twenty-two in 1880. His earliest successes in the Clifton College Eleven, of which he became a member the next season, were, too, due to his profioiency with the ball rather than with the bat. The match between Chelten­ ham and Clifton, in 1881, included three players who did duty for Oxford against Cambridge this week, Messrs. H. V. Page (the Captain) J. H. Brain and K. J. Key. Mr. Key was especially fortunate in his first match with Cheltenham, and* six of the nine wickets whioh fell to the bowlers in the first innings of the Cheltonians were from his arm. A marked improvement ia batting was noticeable in his play during the following summer. His all-round cricket was indeed the most note­ worthy feature in the Clifton records of 1882. Both the bowling and batting prizes fell to him that season, an 1 his scoring in particular was, through*ut, so gooi that He was able to claim an average of over forty-two runs for eleven com­ pleted innings, by fur the best of any bats nan of the year. A favourable report of his abilities as an all-round cricketer led to his immediate trial by the Surrey authorities, and he took part in three fixtures for the County in the latter part of 1882. In his first match, on July 3, against Kent, at the Oval, he was fairly successful, bnt four innings, subsequently, only realised eight runs, and his aggregate for Surrey was twenty- four for five innings. Another season found his batting still further developed, and on public form he was very nearly if not quite the best all-round cricketer in the Public School Elevens of 1883. Again the most successful bowler, his powerful batting was also of immense service to Clifton, and several of his performances were especially note­ worthy. Both against Cheltenham and Sherborne his hitting was seen to the greatest advantage, more particularly at Cheltenham, where he was respon­ sible for 91 out of a total of 145 n ade by the Cliftonians in their first innings. Later in the season he still further in­ creased his reputation by more than one good display of batting in county cricket. In the three last matches on the Surrey programme he scored heavily, and his four innings therein produced an aggregate of 168 runs with one not out. His splendid performance in the second inning* of the match with Lancashire in conjunction with Mr. Roller will still be remembered by frequenters of the Oval. The two amateurs, by very fine cricket, turned what seemed a certain defeat into a most creditable win for Surrey. When they became partners only 122 out of 234 had been made, and there were but three wickets to full. Despite all tlie efforts of Crossland, Watson, Barlow, Nash, and Briggs, however, the 112 runs were got without the fall of another wicket, and Surrey, thanks to the two batsmen, was able to claim a victory which will not soon be for­ gotten. The commencement of the summer of 1884 saw Mr. Key in residence at Oxforl, and he took part in the first match flayed by the University that year. His opening score of thirty against the Australians was the forerunner of several good performances. His best innings at Oxford was 47 agai’ st the