Cricket 1886

Jan. 28 , 1886 . CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 5 C R IC K E T C U R IO S IT IE S OF 1885 . (Compiled from C r ick et .) ( Continued from Page 478 , Vol. IV.) The following additions have been received to our list of curiosities of 1885. April 13.—Mr. Greenwood’s Team v. XXII. of Hosbrooke. Millward carried his bat through former’s innings for 66. May 1.—Bickley, Bickley Park. v. Mr. L. Wilson’s XI. Rev. R. T. Thornton carried his bat through innings for former, making 57 of 114—exactly half the total. May 23.—Bickley, Bickley Park v. Esher. Rev. R. T. Thornton and W. H. Patterson put 011 211 for first wicket of former. June 13.—Mitcham Green, Streatham Albion v. Spottiswoode’s. T. Chatfield for former hit a ball for which ten were run, the ball pitching off the Green and rolling down the road. The runs were scored without any overthrows. June 27.—Elstree, The Sportsman v. Elstree. J. Fugler carried his bat through former’s innings for 32. July 1.—Rock Ferry v. Flintshire. Mr. Ravenscroft and Millward scored 217 for first wicket of former. July 11.—Streatham Albion v. Balham. H. Hazell carried his bat through former’s innings for 83. August 3.—Oxton, Mr. Montgomery’s XI. v. Mr. Nadge’s XI. In second innings of former Messrs. H. A. Bailey and H. Bickersteth scored 233 without the loss of a wicket. Bailey 100 not out, Bickersteth 114 not out. August 15.—Oval, Surrey v. Kent. Kent with 486 to win made 288 for the loss of only four wickets. Lord Harris batted for half-an-hour with his left hand, having broken one of the small bones in his right hand in playing a ball of Beaumont. August 24.—Brighton, Yorkshire v. Sussex. Hall and Ulyett scored over ahundred before a wicket fell for former in each innings, 128 in the first and 108 in the second. August 29.—Lord’s, M.C.C. and Ground v. Ealing. Scotton carried his bat through former’s innings for 248 out of 395. Sept. 12.— Croydon Revellers v. Beachfield Club, Croydon. W. S. Shirley carried his bat through Revellers’ innings for 54 out of 131. Sept. 16.—Peterborough v. King’s Cliffe. Rev. A. C. Skirmshire carried his bat through former’s innings for 68. Sept. 18.—Peterborough v. March. Rev. A. C. Skirmshire carried his bat through former’s innings for 75. Nov. —.—South Australia, Gawler Union v. Advertiser. J. Hiscox and G. H. Simpson put on 291 for the first wicket of Union. The largest number made for first wicket in South Australia. Nov. 7.—Melbourne, Melbourne University v. Ballarat. Ross and Roberts for former made the first 120 runs in less than an hour. Seventy were got in forty minutes. Nov. 9.—Melbourne, South Melbourne v. Fitz­ roy. J. Slight carried his bat through the former’s innings for 136 out of 279 from the bat. Nov. 14.—Sydney, Cootamundra v. Yeo. Latter scored three, all from bat. Nov. 14.—-Otago (N.Z.), Carisbrooke v. Excel­ sior. Carisbrook scored 458—W. G. Dixon 219. The largest individual score recorded in Otago. Nov. 19.—Adelaide, St. Peter’s College v. Prince Alfred College. Prince Alfred’s scored 500—J. Darling 252. The highest innings, individual as well as collective, ever recorded in South Australia. Nov. 21.—Melbourne, Melbourne v. East Mel­ bourne. Palmer and Mcllwraith put on 214 runs for the fourth wicket, Palmer 192, Mcllwraith 143. Nov. 28.—Adelaide, Rosemont v. Hamley. Bertram carried his bat through former’s innings for 33 out of 62. Dec. 5.—Adelaide, Adelphians v. Australian Juniors. Former were dismissed in seven overs for five runs—one bats­ man scoring three not out. Dec. 0.—Melbourne, Melbourne Club v. Bo­ hemians. Melbourne scored 365 for four wickets—H. J. H. Scott 161 not out, G. J. Bonnor 114. Dec. 12.—Melbourne, Melbourne University v. Melbourne Club. W. H. Moule, of Second Australian Team, and Free­ man added 202 runs for fourth wicket of University. * “ TH E Y E A R ’S S P O R T .” We have often wondered that there have been so few attempts to produce a comprehen­ sive and, at the same time, practical review of the chief incidents of the year in the various branches of sport. Physical exercise, now-a- days, plays such an important part in our national education that there is always a large and increasing number of readers eager to re­ ceive anything in the shape of rational in­ struction or amusement. As a rule the works which have been published, with the object of supplying an evident want, a critical analysis as well as a summary of the year’s sport, have been compiled in a perfunctory manner. They have been statistical reproductions pure and simple, a mere array of figures, useful enough in their way, but calculated to be weari­ some rather than interesting. The handsome volume just issued by Longmans <fcCo., under the above title is, as far as we are aware, the first real attempt to present an annual epitome of sporting events which may fairly claim to be considered the standard work of its kind. Certainly no previous production with a like object has embodied the same combina­ tion of literary merit and practical instruction and in such an attractive form. “ The Year’s Sport ” is a fitting companion to the admirable series Messrs. Longmans are now publishing under the title of “ The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes.” Archery, Athletics, Billiards, Boating, Canoeing, Coaching, Cours­ ing, Cricket, Cycling, Dogs, Fishing, Football, Golf, Hunting, Lacrosse, Lawn Tennis, Polo, Racquets, Shooting, Steeplechasing and Hurdle Racing, Swimming, Tennis, Trotting and Yachting, are all reviewed by capable writers whose opinions carry the weight of long and practical experience. It is solely with that portion devoted to “ Cricket,” however, that we have to deal. Nearly one hundred pages have been set apart for our national game, and as this occupies considerably more space than is allotted to any other subject, cricketers have good reason to be satisfied with the position accorded to their favouritesport. In the care of an enthusiast like Mr. F. Gale, whose contribu­ tions to this paper have been highly appreci­ ated, it is hardly necessary to add that the most notable features of the season of 1885 are discussed in a broad and genial spirit. His comments 011 the principal matches (the scores of which, by the way, lend ad­ ditional interest to the cricket section), are as impartial as they are honest, and while he does not hesitate to criticise severely what he considers to be abuses, the severity is tempered by the knowledge that he has the interests of the game thoroughly at heart. Some of his views may not meet with the universal approval of cricketers. On the other hand, whether they agree with him or not on par­ ticular points, they will derive, as we have, * “ The Year’s Sport, a Review of British Sports and Pastimes for the Year 1885.” Edited by Alfred E. T. Watson, Assistant Editor of the Bad­ minton Library. Price 21s. much pleasure from his remarks generally. Mr. Gale is, in no unkindly way it be said, at times severe on modem cricket, and in some respect we are inclined to agree his strictures are by no means unjust. At the same time he is hardly fair in some of his inferences with regard to the new order of cricketers. His constant iteration in alluding to himself of such expressions as “ the old-fashioned school,” “fossil,” andwords of similar import,would lead the ordinary reader to believe that young players resent the criticism of their elders, which, as far as our experience goes, is cer­ tainly not the case. We do not for a moment dispute that there are some few blemishes in the cricket of to-day. There are spots on the sun’s face even, and it would be strange indeed if a game pursued so earnestly and by so many thousands of sportsmen of every class and disposition were altogether free from defects. On the whole, though, the laudations of atime past to the contrary notwithstanding, we are disposed to think that the cricket of the present day will compare favourably, both in point of general quality of the play and in the zest with which it is followed, with the very best experience of past generations. We would even go further, and assert that never at any period of its history has the better class of cricket had a firmer hold on the general body of cricketers or on the public. We look with pleasure to the second appear­ ance of Messrs. Longmans’ New Annual, confident that this summer will be productive of even more interest than that which has furnished the material for the volume now under notice. “ The Year’s Sport” will be a useful as well as an ornamental addition to every sportsman’s library. H astings and St. L eonards C lub . —The annual meeting of^ this Club was held on Monday the 13th inst. at the Town Hall, Hastings. Mr. Thomas Parkin, the President was in the chair, and there was a good attend­ ance of members. After the adoption of the annual report the following alterations in the rules were carried:—That Rule 4 should read : “ That the business of the Club should be conducted by the following officers, viz., a President, six Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, two Hon. Secs., an Auditor, and a Committee of ten—five of whom shall form a quorum.” Their present Secretary was about to resign as he had not sufficient time at his disposal to carry out the duties of the office. That the first part of Rule 9 should read: “ That the Committee shall have power to engage a pro­ fessional bowler and other assistance when required at matches.” The officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows :—Presi­ dent, Mr. T. Parkin; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. S. T. Weston, F. Greatorex, R. J. Lydgate (of the Surrey County Club), A. B. Rowley, W. H, S. Stanton, and A. F. Smith; Treasurer, Mr. J. T. Piper; Auditor, Mr. W .Ray; Joint Hon. Secs., Messrs. James Phillips and R. J Wilson. The following were elected to serve on the Committee :—Messrs. E. T. B. Austin, W. E. Brown, J. Cockbum, A. Phillips, F. Ransom, Dr. Tester, T. Kennard, J. C. Meadows, J. B. Foster, and F. Oliver. Mr. Piper, in returning thanks for his re-election as Treasurer; said that was the fourteenth time he had been elected to that office. During the greater portion of that time the Club had been going 011 fairly well as regards finances. They had had one or two dark years, and last 3'ear he unfortunately came before them with a balance against them of <£25. This year he was glad to say they had a balance of about £5 in hand. The Secretaries stated that they had arranged three matches, viz., M.C.C. and Ground on August 18 and 19; Canterbury, August 11 and 12; and Dulwich Club, August 27; and they were negotiatii g for a match with the Australians. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. B. Foster for his past services as Secretary. Next Issue February 25.