Cricket 1885

a p e i l 30,1885. CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OE THE GAME. 87 A N E W C R IC K E T GROUND . E v e r y pieo 9 of land in London proper, or in the vast circle immediately surrounding it coming within the category of greater London, rescued from the encroachments of the pitiless builder, is a benefit to the public health. Open spaces are becoming fewer and fewer as the population increases, and Londoners are driven further and further a-field. The difficulty of finding enclosures for purposes of recreation increases year by year, as those who have the management of athletic clubs in the neighbourhood of the metropolis have good reason to know. Most of the old resorts of athletes are fast disap­ pearing, and the number of grounds now available for out-door sports in immediate proximity to the City is very small. Hence the allotment of another large space within easy distance ofLondon to the cause of cricket, lawn tennis,and sports of a kindred nature, is a subject for general congratulation. The Chiswick Park Club has already, as many readers of C bicket are aware, made its influence felt. Last year it provided plenty of amusement for lawn tennis players, and, so far as this branch of sport went, the objects of its promoters were fully carried out. It was only last October, though, that the first step was taken to prepare the new ground for cricket purposes. How thoroughly this period of seven months has been utilised, those who have had means of noticing the wonderful transformation which has been produced, can alone appreciate. The directorate of the company which repre­ sents the proprietary of the ground in Sutton Lane, Chiswick, was fortunate in being able to secure as secretary a gentleman so keen about cricket as Mr. F. B. Shadwell, and so capable, by reason of his long experience as hon. sec. to the Bichmond Club, of doing full justice to the position. It is indeed mainly due to his energy that at the present time the arrangements have been completed sufficiently to allow of cricket being now played under favourable conditions, Last October, Chiswick Park, or, at least, that portion of it now available for cricket,was an orchard studded thickly with trees. Mr. Shadwell was lucky in having the services of such a good worker as Byde, a cricketer well known in the south of London, as a ground man. Under his active superintendence the work of clearing pro­ gressed very quickly, aud the labour required can be estimated when it is stated that several hundreds of trees had to be removed as a preliminary operation to the preparation of the ground. Alto gether, we understand, an area of about eight acres has been levelled and made available for cricket purposes. The portion specially reserved for matches was carefully laid down by George Hearne, the well known- custodian of the Private Banks’ Club ground at Catford Bridge, with the assistance of his two sons G. G. and Frank. The turf required was brought from the neighbour­ hood of Ealing, and we undcrstmd that a space of about a hundred yards square was laid under their direct supervision. Their name is a sufficient guarantee that the work has been well done, and when it is thoroughly set there is every reason to believe that the match pitch of the Chiswick Park Club will be second to none in the neighbourhood of London. The ground itself is certainly one of the prettiest in the suburbs. The area altogether, we believe, is about fourteen acres, but of this a large portion has been reserved and will be kept apart for lawn tennis alone. The ground is situated in Sutton-lane, Chiswick, and is at one corner within aminute’s walk of Chiswick Station on the London and South Western line. Here there is a small gate, but the main entrance is some two or three hundred yards further along the lane on the way to Acton Green, which is some few minutes’ distant. A t the main entrance is a handsome lodge, and here will be the entrance for the general public. The lawn tennis is partially separated from the cricket ground, and the division is still further marked by several handsome trees, which give a pleasing effect to the general aspect. There are, at present, two pavilions, one for the use of lawn-tennis players, the other for cricket. The former is a permanent structure of brick, strongly built, and very neat in appearance?* Here there is every arrangement for the con­ venience of members. Dressing rooms for ladies and gentlemen are provided with all the most modern appliances. In the lower part are several bath rooms, a boon which is sure to be highly appreciated. No expense has been spared to consult the comfort of those for whom it is intended, and the appointments, as well as the general arrange ments, reflect credit on the management. The limited time available before the com mencement of the season has prevented the construction as yet of a permanent cricket pavilion. For temporary purposes a large iron pavilion has been erected, and pending the construction of a regular building, this will serve all present requirements. It is ’ two floors, the upper devoted to business purposes, secretary’s offices, and board-room for directors, the lower to be used in the central part for luncheons of players and refreshments, and the two sides for dressing rooms. It is understood that this is merely for present use, and that it will give way to a substantial erection, probably on the same lines as the Lawn-Tennis pavilion. As we have already stated, the Chiswick Park Club commences its cricket career under most favourable auspices, and to those who want to see the latest addition to London cricket grounds, we can promise that they will be repaid for their visit. The opening cricket match is to take plac 6 on Saturday next. The match will be the Secretary’s XI. v. Byde’s XI., and it is announced that the following well-known Gentlemen and Players will take part in the game. Secretary’s XI,—F. B. Shadwell, Captain ; A. J. Webbe, J. Bobertson, C. M. Tuke, F. W. Bush, B. E. Yerturgh, W. Furze, B. F. Finnis, A. Springett, E. D. C. Cecil, H. J. Hill, A. C. Kenjpster, H. A. Krohn. Byde’s X I.—W. Byde, Captain; Mr. Williams, Mr. Green, G. G. Hearne (Kent), F. Hearne (Kent), A. Hearne (Kent), G. Wootton (Kent), Wood (Surrey), Gregory, Barrett, Gale, Wickenden. AN SW ER S to C O R R E S P O N D EN T S H. W alker (Sutton-in-Ashfield).—The late Mr. G. F. Grace played at Sutton-in- Ashfield, Notts, July 19, 20, 1869, for the United South of England XI. v. XXII. of Sutton-in-Ashfield. The United XI. scored 64 and 86 —Mr. G. F. Grace, c D. Gregory b, S. B. Morley 3 ; b D. Gregory 4. Sutton-in-Ashfield made 150 and 1 without the loss of a wicket, thus winning by 21 wickets. In a match at Holyrood on Saturday, the Boyal High School (F.P.), with King and Stewart, were dismissed in their first innings for a total of 21 by Drumpellier. Scott took five wickets for six runs, Thompson five for fourteen runs. I n a match played on March 7 on the Association ground, Sydney, between the Warwick and Albert Clubs, the Warwicks occupied the wickets all the day, having only lost six batsmen when time was called for -377 runs. Of this number J. Davis contributed 177. He only gave one chance when he had reached 140 W. B r u c e scored 115 out of a total of 283 for the Melbourne Club against Bichmond, on the latter’s ground on March 14. The Scottish Public School Elevens.— Saturday, says the Scotsman, will see the majority of the Scottish public school teams start the summer game. Loretto will open against Dalkeith, and, in addition to playing the usual clubs, will be visited by Rossall and the Oxford University Satellites. L. B. Paterson will captain the team, and as nine of last year’s team will be available, the prospects of the club look very bright. Those of last year’s eleven who will be back with the captain are Morrison, Smeaton, Park, Moubray, A. S. Caldwell,Pearson, A. Pater­ son, and H. Paton. B. Tomlinson will again superintend the lads, and will have a Notts man (Jefferis), who comes with a good reputation, as assistant coach. G. R. S. Ogilvie-Grant will succeed W. Greenstock in the captaincy of the Fettes College team. At present it is impossible to form any cor­ rect idea of the strength of the team, but with the large number of second choices, it is anticipated that there will be little diffi­ culty in filling up vacancies to make a good team. The season will not be begun till Saturday week, when the eleven will be pitted against the second eleven with masters and professionals. In addition to the usual schools and clubs, the Oxford Uni­ versity Satellites will visit Fettes on July 7, and the Crofton Wanderers on July 21. The principal school match—that against Loretto falls to be played at Fettes this year, July 10 and 11 being the dates fixed. W. F. Holms will captain Blair Lodge, and will have T. Sutherland, W . Bobertson, C. J. Stevenson, J. O. M. Wedderburn, and A. E. Bingham available from last year’s eleven. The card is a heavy one, embracing twenty events, including in addition to the schools, Perth, Forfar, and Stirling shires, West of Scotland, Clydesdale, and Gala, T. Macmillan will captain Mer- chiston, but neither the fixtures of the dark blues nor Craigmount can be got. Blaikie has again been engaged at the former school, with Dalrymple as his second. The Boyal High School will again be under Nimmo’s captaincy, but the wearers of the black and white do not promise to be so strong as last year. P. King will again coach the boys. Close on twenty matches have been fixed, the opening game being against the Royal Edinburgh Asylum on Saturday at Morning- side. Morningside College will be led by J. B. Guthrie, Boyal High School, George Watson’s College, and a number of clubs being played. The Dollar Institution card is one of the most complete school ones yet to hand, B. D. Hogg having over thirty matches arranged for the three elevens. W. K. Wood will captain the team, and as seven of last year’s team will be back, the club’s prospects look promising.