Cricket 1886

APKIL 15,1886 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 55 T H E F I F T H A U S T R A L I A N T E A M . About 8,000 persona were present on March 1 on the Melbourne Cricket Club’s ground, at the farewell demonstration in honour of the departing Australian Eleven. Throughout the evening there was an almost perpetual display of various forms of fireworks by Messrs. C. T. Brock and Co. The playing ground was encompassed by electric lights which brilliantly illuminated the scene, and made promenading a most enjoyable recreation. Herr Plock’s military band occupied a position in front of the grand-stand, and did full justice to an excellent programme. At the close of the entertainment the leading members of the M.C.C. and several visitors assembled in the committee-room, where success to the team was enthusiastically drunk, on the motion of Mr. H. C. A. Harrison, who was in England during the visit of the last Australian team. He expressed his belief that no team had gone home under more favourable auspices, or with more assured prospects of success. From what he knew of the members of the fifth Australian Eleven, he was certain they would throughout their home tour reflect honour on the M.C.C., and uphold the prestige of Australian cricket. He would venture a prophecy that they would come back with more matches to their credit than any previous team had succeeded in winning. Mr. H. J. H. Scott, in responding on behalf of the eleven, thanked the M.C.C. for the kindly feeling that had been displayed in the formation of the new team. Its members were all Australian born, and he believed it would be the first entirely native Australian team that had visited the old land. He could only hope that they would do credit to the land of their birth, and achieve a success equal at least to what previous teams had attained. “ The Unity of English and Australian Cricket” was proposed fcy Mr. H. jpreswick, and re­ sponded to by the Hon. Ivo Bligh, who met with a demonstrative reception. Mr. Bligh said he was thoroughly convinced that the unity alluded to in the toast was now perfectly established, and he joined in the good wishes that had been expressed in favour of their departing friends. The health of the manager of the eleven, Mr. B. J. Wardill, was drunk with musical honours, and that gentleman, in responding, said that no effortwouldbe wanting on nis part to make the tour both a social and a crioketing success. A good deal had been written about the unpopularity of the last Australian Eleven, but tnat feeling had now entirely been removed, if it ever existed save in the imaginations of certain persons. He could mention that he was in receipt of a com- m'lnication from the Marylebone Club, stating that they were ready to welcome any team coming from the M.O.C., even though it con­ tained members of the late Australian Eleven. Mr. Wardill concluded by expressing his deter­ mination to endeavour to secure for Australia the very best teamthat England could produce. “ C e n s o r ,” in the Sydney Mail , does not seem to have a very high opinion of the abilities of the coining Australian team in the matter of Captaincy,as the following will show :— In looking at the composition of the Aus­ tralian Eleven, one cannot but be struck with the want of players in the team suitable to fill the position of captain. It is very strange that out of thirteen good cricketers there is not one who possesses that tact, judgment, and discriminative faculty which are required in the leader of an eleven. In that regard the first Australian Eleven was particularly well off, and in Murdoch the subsequent eleven had a fairly capable skipper, with an excellent right-hand man in Boyle, Among the cricketers in the present team Blackham, beyond all doubt, is the most suitable man or captain. If a good and discerning player, the wicket-keeper is the best man in an eleven for captain. In the first place, he is not a bowler, and therefore he cannot be accused of keeping himself on too long, and in the next his posi­ tion behind the wickets is one from which the field can be best directed and the bowling managed. Blackham has had great experience, and would be, par excellence , the Captain of Australia, but for the fact that he has fads or peculiar fancies for players whose subsequent form invariably displays his want of judgment. It is acknowledged that the only two other eligible candidates for the post are Garrett and Scott. Though from a social point of view, both of these players are more fitted for the position than Blackham, there are objections against them. Scott has had little or no experience and is too young; Garrett has had any amount of experience, but is not a good judge of the game, and, in addition, is in the habit of keeping himself on bowling too long. With so many good bowlers in his team, such a coursewould lead to discontent and, perhaps, disorganisation. It may be urged in favour of the candidature of Garrett and Scott that they are better speakers than Blackham, but with so fluent and capable a talker as Major War- dill, their manager, the oratorical qualifica­ tions may be dismissed. “ Mid-on,” in the Leader , thus alludes to the matter:—“ During the past fortnight the captainship of the fifth Australian eleven, and by whom the position is to be filled, has been a favourite subject of inquiry by the quidnuncs and pavilion habitues. It is pretty evident that the final selection will fall upon either Blackham, Garrett or Scott, for although other names are incidentally mentioned at times, there is no probability of the choice falling upon any but one of the three named. As I look upon Garrett as a change bowler of exceptional merit, I should not like to see him appointed, and in saying this I wish it to be distinctly understood that I hold him in the highest esteem both on and off the field, notwithstanding the little un­ pleasantness which recently marred the pleasure of the intercolonial match in Sydney. Garrett, however, is not in my opinion the best judge of when he should or should not bowl, and in the intercolonial match ,in Mel­ bourne at Christmas, as I remarked at the time, he kept himself off far too long. There is, however, another and much stronger reason why I should like to see the position occupied by either Blackham or Scott in the interest of Australian cricket generally, and Australian cricketers in particular.” The Committeeof the SussexCountyClubhave decided to pit a South of England team against the Colonists on the 9th Sept., and this com­ pletes the programme unless the Secretary of the Melbourne Club on his arrival should decide to fill up any of the three dates left vacant. MAY. 13—Sheffield Park, Australians v. Lord Sheffield’s XI. 17 —Nottingham, Australians v. Notts 20—Kennington Oval, Australians v. Surrey 21—Lord’s, Australians v. M.C.C. and Ground 27—Oxford, Australians v. Oxford University 31—Manchester, Australians v. North of England JUNE. 3—Lord’s, Australians v. Gentlemen of England 7—Derby, Australians v. Derbyshire 10—Cambridge,Australiansv.CambridgeUniversity 14 —Manchester, Australians v. Lancashire 17 —Kennington Oval, Australians v. Gentlemen of England 21 —Nottingham, Australians v. Players of England 21—Lord’s, Australians v. Middlesex 28 —Chichester, Australians v. Lord March’s XI. (C. Howard’s Benefit). JULY. 5—Manchester, Australians v. England 8—Nottingham, Australians v. Notts 12—Sheffield, Australians v. Yorkshiro 19—Lord's, Australians v. England 22—Huddersfield, Australians v. Yorkshire 20—Stoke, Australians v. An England Eleven 29—Kennington Oval, Australians v. Surrey AUGUST. 2—Canterbury, Australians v. Kent 5—Clifton, Australians v. Gloucestershire 12—Kennington Oval, Australians v. England 1G—Cheltenham, Australians v. Gloucestershire 19—Portsmouth, Australians v. United Services 23—Leyton, Australians v. Past and Present of Cambridge University 26—Brighton, Australians v. Sussex 30—Gravesend, Australians v. South of England SEPTEMBER. 2—Scarborough, Australians v. Gentlemen of England 6—Bradford, Australians v. North of England 9—Brighton, v. South of England TEDDINGTON CLUB. F ix t u r e s fo r 1880. April 17. Teddington, Married v. Single April 21. Teddington, v.Richmond Star April 20. Teddington, v. Twickenham Institute May 1. Teddington, v. Ham May 8. Teddington, v. Roehampton May 8. Kingston, v. Mid Surrey May 13. Teddington, v. Middlesex Hospital May 15. Hampton Wick, v. Hampton Wick May 15. Teddington, v. Middle Mill May 22. Isleworth, v. London Inter. Coll. May 22. Teddington, v. Univ. Coll. Hospital May 20. Teddington, v. Heathfteld May 29. Teddington, v. Guy’s Hospital June 5. Teddington, v. St. Thomas’s Hospital June 12. Teddington, v. Merchant Taylor’s Sch. June 12. Wandsworth, v. Heathfield June 14. Teddington, v. Middlesex Hospital June 19. Teddington, v. Richmond Club June 19. Upper Sunbury, v. Upper Sunbury June 22. Teddington, v. St. Mary’s Hospital June 20. Teddington, v. King’s College June 20. Wimbledon, v. Grasshoppers July 3. Richmond, v. Richmond Club July 7. Teddington, v. Grasshoppers July 10. Teddington, v. Mid Surrey July 10. Feltham, v. Feltham Friendly Society July 17. Teddington, v. Merchant Taylor’s Sen. July 17. Shepherd’s Bush, v. St. Stephens July 21. Teddington, v. Forest Hill July 24. Teddington, v. Hamptdn Wick July 24. Twickenham, v..Twickenham Institute July 31. Teddington, v. Upper Sunbury Aug. 2. Teddington, v. Barnes Aug. 7. Ham, v. Ham Aug. 11. Teddington, v. St. Martin’s Athletics Aug. 14. Roehampton, v. Roehampton Aug. 14. Teddington, v. Mr. W. Bainbridge’s XI. Aug. 21. Richmond, v. Richmond Star Aug. 28. Teddington, v. Gryphons Aug. 28. Kingston, v. Middle Mill Sept. 4. Teddington, v. St. Stephens Sept. 11. Teddington, v. Brunswick Sept. 18. Teddington, v. Feltham Friendly Society WARWICKSHIRE CRUSADERS. F ix t u r e s fo r 1880. May 28, 29. Burton, v. Gentlemen of Burton June 7, 8. Malvern, v. Malvern College June 14,15. Oxford, v. B.N.C. June 10. Oxford, v. Merton College June 17. Oxford, v. Magdalen College June 18. Oxford, v. The Authentics June 19. Oxford, v. University College June 30. Leamington, v. Leamington Collego July 13. Repton, v. Repton School July 19, 20. Whitmore, v. Whitmore Rangers July 27, 28. Willisbourne, v. Willisbournc Aug. 2. Hams Hall, v. Hon. A. Adderley’s XI Aug. 9,10. Derby, v. The Friars W in d so r and E ton S ta r C l u b .— A general meeting of the above club washeld on Saturday, at Mr. J. W . Harding’s, the Crown and Cushion Hotel, Eton. The hon. sec. (Mr. F. Greenfield) read the report of the last season, 1885. He stated that the club financially was successful, and also that there was every prospect of a good season this year. The members then elected the following officers for the coming season:—Captain, Mr. G. S.Ross; vice-captain, Mr. C. Stinton: secretary, Mr. F. Greenfield; treasurer, Mr. G. New : committee, Messrs. A. Andrews, F. and G. Harris, G. Bullen, and H. Gosling.