Cricket 1886

FEB. 5, 1886, .C r ick &T: a W e e k l y r e coed of ^ h e g am e . - -= k•■•‘•X ■' - ■ f . . . j . ' • . _ . ... 27 named have made their reputations on English cricket fields. Of the eight Jarvis is the least known to theBritishpublic. Hewas certainlyone of the second team which visited England in 1880, but his position was a subordinate one, and he can hardly be said to have played a very conspicuous part in that tour. During' the last few years, though, lie has shown him- < self to be one of the very best all-round cricketers in the Colonies. At all times a dangerous batsman, he has in addition on his day no superior in Australia as a wicket­ keeper. Considering what Englishmen have seen of that greatest of all masters of the art; Blackham, this will be considered high praise, and, indeed, it is diffioult to place implicit oredence in the oonfident assertions of some of the colonial oritios that Blackham has found his equal in Jarvis. The latter’s per­ formances, though, thoroughly stamp him as quite an exceptional wicket-keeper, and his record in the match of the Australian team against the Victorian Eleven, begun at Mel­ bourne on New Year’s Day, was indeed unique. In the first innings of Victoria he secured no fewer than six of the ten wickets,, four stumped and two caught,,a feat which has had few parallels, we are inclined to think, in an important match. His form on this occasion was quite out of the common, and as, in addition, he carried out his bat for a dashing innings of 77, a reliable estimate will be had of his abilities as an all-round cricketer. The presence of Jarvis in the coming Australian team will be very popular here, and his form will be watched with the greatest interest. Of Spofforth, Palmer, Blackham and Giffen it is quite unnecessary to speak. An Australian team would not be considered representative in their absence, and it would be mere waste of time to refer to their crioket, which is thoroughly well-known to English players. It is stated that there was at one time a doubt as to the inclusion of Bonnor in the team Whether this be true or not his presence will be popular here. The British public dearly loves a big hitter, and Bonnor’s heaves are mighty enough to gratify the most sensational cravings: From an Australian point of view, too, we are sure that his selectibn is judicious. His huge lunges have on more than one im­ portant occasion turned the scale effectually and demoralised the bowlers when more scientific batsmen have failed. While he is at the wickets the bowlers can never be quite easy in their minds, and indeed the utility of a batsman of his stamp can not be over-esti­ mated. In addition his dexterity in and rapidity of return from the long-neld must not be overlooked. Every one will be de­ lighted to learn that Scott will visit England for the second time. It was stated on the best authority that he would not come again, and hence the news of his acceptance of the invitation of the Melbourne Club comes as a pleasing surprise. Though he has not an attractive style he watches the ball thoroughly, and the fine cricket he showed in 1884 was quite sufficient to stamp him as one of the best batsmen in Australia. This season, too, his performances with the bat have been exceptionally brilliant, and now that Murdoch has practically retired he stands out on recent form as the best batsman in the Colonies. Horan has been over here twioe before, in 1878 and 1882, and in both visits not only was of great use with the bat, but also proved at times of considerable service as a change bowler. This season in Australia he has been very unlucky, so much so as to induce certain critics to question the advisability of his in­ clusion in the team. The best batsmen, though, have occasional spells of ill-luck, and we should fancy that an Australian team could not be considered representative in Horan’s absence. An excellent judge of 'the game, a very dangerous batsman, and a bowler who rarely fails at an emergency, his place would, indeed, be difficult to-fili. Bruce and Mcllwraith, who complete the ten said to be certainties, have both very high reputations. The former is a young player of exceptional ability as an all-round cricketer, Left-handed both in batting and .bowling he is ambidextrous in the field, in which he is especially smart. As a batsman he has made some very high scores. Indeed, his 328 not out for Melbourne against Hotham in January, 1884, ranks as the highest individual innings ever recorded in the colonies. Though a little uncertain in his pitch, on his day he is very suooessful as a bowler. Cricketers who have visited Australia think highly of him. Mollwraith has come prominently to the front during the .present Australian season, and his performances in t^e Inter-colonial and immediately afterwards in the trial match were both of a brilliant oharacter. It w a s his first appearance in the Inter-colonial, and under these oiroumstances .his soore of 133 was the more noteworthy. . Commenting on his innings, “ Felix ” in the Australasian writes in the following eulogistic terms — On the first day, when he made GO nob out; he gave a difficult chance to Turner off' the latter’s own bowling, and this is the only blemish in his innings. At starting he appearod to be somewhat nervous and over-anxious, and no?v and then ran , out and back to his crease in a manner that did * not suggest ful.1 confidence, 'or that feeling of being perfectly at home which one observes When an old inter-colonial man, like the accomplished Murdoch, for instance, is at the wickets. But M‘IlwTaith's apparent hesitation and indecision speedily disappeared, and when he warmed to his work and got to understand the bowling his bat­ ting was of the highest class—strong, sound, finished, and true. He put the wood on in fine style at times, and made many strokes with a freedom and vigour that delighted the lookers on. The ten already mentioned are said to be cer­ tainties, and it is stated^on what we know our­ selves to be the best authority that Garrett, who was not able to come in 1884, has actually promised to form one of the party this year. His recent performances, too, show that he is in good form both with ball ,'and ball. In the University match he noc only bowled well, but i^ addition showed capital cricket in each innings, , In the Inter-colonial contest a week later he fully proved the correctness of his form against Melbourne University, and, in­ deed, his all-round oricket woula. compare favourably with that of any player of the twenty-two. In bowling he was severely taxed, and that he came out with credit will be gathered from his figures, which showed • that he delivered 370balls for 121 runs and 5 wickets. His second score of 60 was also k good display of sound cricket, and on this form he ought to be of great use to the team. WhetherEvans,theveteran o'fNew.SouthWales, will come or not seems to be uncertain. He has disappointed in the past and opinions vary considerably as to the probabilities of his coming this j-ear. “ Censor,” in the Sydney Mail of Jan. 9th, states that he has ascer­ tained beyond doubt that Evans will join the team, but “ Felix,” .in the Australasia-n, pub­ lished a weeK later, expresses doubts as to his appearance. His fine bowling in%the Inter­ colonial match shows that he has lost little or none of his precision, and veteran though he is Englishmen have heard so much of his abilities that he would be welcome here. It is stated that the ten players who have already been fixed will be consulted as to the remain­ ing choices,and the last places were, according to official announcements, not to be filled up till after the return Inter-colonial match. Trumble seems to have good credentials, and Jones, who was here in 1882 and seems to be in capital form now, with Walter Giffen appear to be regarded as likely candidates. “ Felix,” as will be seen, thinks very highly of F. Walters, the Victorian T>atsnian whose portrait and biography appeared in C r ic k e t of Sept. 10, 1885. Lewis, too, is mentioned, and among the rising talent, Mather, who played so well for New Sbilth Wales in the Inter-Colonial, Houston and Edwards are des­ cribed as most worthy of ’ consideration. Murdoch, McDonnell and Bauncrman will of cause be missed, but all round the' team will be a very strong orto^ and it will be. sure to render a good account of itself It is to be regretted that Mr. B. J. Wardill, the Secretary of the Melbourne Clubs who-is very popular with both English and Australian cricketers, will be unable to accompany the team as manager. It is reported, though, that Mr. Barlow, the Treasurer of M.C.C., will take his place, and in his hands all the arrange- •ments should be well carried out. The articles from the Australasian and Illus­ trated Sporting and Dramatic N ews , which follow, will be read with interest. The first is from the pen of “ Felix,” one of the very best judges ot the game in the Colonies. His opinion on the merits of the various cricketers may be accepted as thoroughly reliable. THU Australian thirteen to visit England under the auspices of the Melbourne Cricket Club will be finally selected after the close of the fcest match, which will commence on Fri­ day, the 29th Jan., on the Association Ground, Moore Park, Sydney. Already ten men have been nominated by the M.C.C. committee, namely—Blackham, Bruce, Horan, Palmer, ‘Spofforth, Bonnor, Scott, M‘Ilwraith, G. Giffen, and Jarvis. The first five of these were communicated with more than a month ago, and the others were added at a committee meeting held on Friday, the 8th Jan. Three men are still required to complete the team, and they will be selected from Messrs. Trumble, Garrett, Evans, Jones, Walters, and W. Giffen. Evans and Jones have as yet given no definite answer, but Garrett has promised to go, and he may, therefore, be re­ garded as a certainty for the team. Trumble, to my mind, is good enough for any team in Australia, and I fail to understand the hesi­ tancy of the committee in declaring him as finally chosen. There seems to be an im­ pression that Trumble’s style of play is not calculated to be effective on English wickets, and it may be that to this is attributable the delay. For my part I can see nothing in Trumble’s batting to lead to the belief that he would not be a success on wet ground in Eng­ land. He watches the ball well, has an excel­ lent defence, can hit hard when he feels so disposed, and can adapt himself to circum­ stances as well as most batsmen. If the Eng­ lish summer be fine a century or two would, I think, be credited to Trumble before the tour closed. At any rate, let it be dry or wet in England, surely the two matches to be played in Sydney are not likely to make Trumble’s qualifications better known than they are now. He has been before the public for some seasons, and is recognised as a first-rate all-round man. Apart from his excellence as a batsman, his bowling capabilities are of a high class, and It is iny conviction that he would distinguish himself in more than one match in the old country in this department of the game. Be­ sides, he is very desirous to know whether he will be chosen or not, for this reason—the final law examination will be held in a few months, and if he goes to England he will wait until next year’s “ exam.” If he does not go he in­ tends to present himself at this year’s exami­ nation. It will take a good deal of time to read up the text books, and if not choscn for England, he should be deep in his law books now. By keeping him longer in suspense, and in the end not selecting him, it may be that he will not only lose the trip to England, but be plucked as well. My opinion is most de­ cidedly that the Melbourne committee will choose him, but they wish to stick to their original intention of not making the final selec­ tion until after the return inter-colonial, and second test match. Trumble’s case is, how­ ever, exceptional, and should be dealt with accordingly. F. Walters is a batsman whom English grounds should suit to a nicety, for he is always at his best on a slow wicket. It is true that lie has done little this season, but it must be remembered that he played scarcely any cricket prior to the inter-colonial, at Christmas. There is no doubt that he is a splendid batsman, and should he run into true form he would in great measure compensate for the loss of one of the three fine batsmen who are not going, namely — Murdoch Next Issue March 25-