Cricket 1886

84 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. APRIL 39,1886. and his men would not do less. They might not be able to obtain an unbeaten record, but they would play some excellent games. The people in England would be compelled to admire their cricket and their conduct, whether as victors or vanquished. (Applause.) A pleasing feature about the present team was the presence of two South Australian representatives in it. Pre­ viously only one from this colony had been sent, but cricket had vastly improved here, and the result was before them. He was very happy to welcome the Australian Eleven to Adelaide. He wished them a safe and pleasant voyage home, the utmost success in England, and a prosperous return toAustralia. (Loud applause^. The Mayor said his duty was to welcome the Eleven to South Australia, and he referred to the South Australian representatives in com­ plimentary terms, while Mr. C. Peacock, J.P., on behalf of the S.A. Cricketing Association, welcomed the team to South Australia, and wished them a good voyage and success in England. Capt. Scott, who was loudly ap­ plauded, returned thanks, and hoped that their play and good conduct would make the eulo­ gistic remarks true. They were the first team composed entirely of Australian-born men, and that in itself ought to ensure success. They were determined to do their best; if they lost they would take their defeats in a proper spirit and wear their victories humbly. Mr. Smith then, on behalf of Mr. W. B. Rounsevell, M.P., presented to Mr. Giffen the ball with which he had secured 17 wickets in the Inter-Colonial match at a cost of 201 runs. The ball was silver-plated, and handsomely mounted. Mr. Giffen, who was enthusiastically received, re­ turned thanks, and the proceedingsterminated with cheers for Mr. A. H. Jarvis, the Australian Eleven, and Capt. Scott. T h e not quite legitimate cricket season gener­ ally begins by a match at Nottingham, in the Easter holidays, between the Colts and Players of the County. This year Easter falls as late as may be, but it does not seem pro­ bable that the weather will be more suitable for the game than it usually is in April. A hard hit ball cannot easily be “ caught in the frozen palms of spring,” like Lord Tennyson’s blackbird. The frozen palms are apt to smart and sting painfully when the ball reaches a chilly fielder at long leg. We cannot expect very great sport from April cricket, but it has always a promise of good things to come. Very good things are coming, and very good men, the Australians. They are on their way hither, and the cricketing spirit flies to greet them ere they land. This is the first Colonial team that has visited us since that other gal­ lant body of Colonists was ranged beneath our flag in the Soudan. That is one reason why the cricketers should be heartily welcomed and hospitably received. Their trip, let us hope, will be free from the usual dismal squabbles about gate money, about amateur and professional rank, about the distinctions of “ Mr." and “ Esquire.” The team is under new management, and is organised on new and non-mercenary principles. They will be bad cricketers who make mountains out of petty mole-hills, social or financial. Speaking at Melbourne on March 1, Mr. Ivo Bligh declared that “ the Unity of Australian and English cricket was perfectly established.” Who can object to this form of federation ? Let us banish all the old maxims of “ win, tie, or wrangle,” and let the matches be played out in a sportsmanlike manner. We may win, or may lose, but we ought to be able to increase that friendly sense of community with our kindred of the great island of the future. It is natural to like to win, natural to cheer Mr. Steel when he pulls a match out of the fire, as he did at least twice by his admirable batting in the last Australian campaign in England But it is a mistake to be greedy and want to win always. Lot us hope that fortune will be as evenly balanced as possible, though a team Bo disciplined and accustomed to worn together M the Australians has great advantages. This year’s Colonial Eleven varies a good deal from our usual list of antagonists. Mr. Spofforth, we believe, is coming, and there can be little doubt that he is the best of living bowlers, be the other who he may. He has extraordinary endurance, perfect command of the ball, and, thanks to his style and his great height, he has a deceitful delivery and can alter his pace, and even giv« a slow high ball, in such a manner as to baffle and almost bewitch the batsman. On ground caking in the sun after a short shower, Mr. Spofforth is pretty nigh unplayable, especially when his blood is up, and he is set on winning a match when victory has seemed hopeless. Palmer is coming too, and though less demoniacal than the other, he is an amazingly steady and artful bowler, untiring, and full of resource. Then Mr. Evans is coming at last—the famous Mr. Evans, who has as great a reputation in Aus­ tralia as Mr. C. D. Marsham enjoyed in the distant days when lie bowled for the Gentle­ men of England. So long has Mr. Evans’s reputation lasted that perhaps his efforts may prove hesternce rosce , he may be living on the fame of years gone by. But in that case he probably would not come, and all good cricketers will hope that the best Australian is in his best form. It is not possible to believe that he is really better than Mr Spofforth, but his renown is of more ancient date. Garrett, also an excellent; bowler, is expected, and that great hitter, Mr. Scott; and Mr. Bonnor will doubtless often lift the ball over the pavilion at the Oval, which seems to suit him better than Lord’s. Of late he has played rather a steady game, though Nature herself meant him for a hitter to eclipse Mr. Thornton. Such are a few specimens of the Australian team that is “ coming home,” as they still call it, and as we hope they may call it long. They will find political England in such a state as she has rarely been. What they may think of troubles and disputes “ at home,” they will probablv keep to themselves till they reach the colony again. Who are there in England to “ speak in the gate 7 (or the wicket, the words mean literally much the same thing) to these friendly opponents ? The prospect is not very brilliant. Life and the affairs of business and duty soon absorb our young amateurs. We shall not see much of Mr. Alfred Lyttelton at the wickets, and he cannot be expected to repeat that miraculous success when, taking off the gloves, he lowered the impregnable Australian wickets with slows at the Oval. Had it not been for these strange slows, the Australians might be at the wickets still for anything our bowlers could do against them. In bowling, to tell the truth, we are never very strong at present. Mr. Steel is always best on adamp wicket, and even if the wickets chance to suit him (absit omen as far as the damp goes), it seems unlikely that he will be as often found in the field and at the wicket as usual this summer. We have, indeed) the perennial W. G., that truly grand though aged cricketer. No man who saw Mr. Grace’s innings for 220, not out, at Clifton, last summer, will think his natural force abated, though he must be nearly forty. If he gets “ fixed,” and his eye well in, then even Mr. Spofforth and Mr. Evans will have their work measured out for them. Among amateurs, Mr. Rashleigh, late of Tonbridge School, may be expected to do mighty deeds, if he can spare time from his University studies, and if he retains his schoolboy skill. Then among tried men we have Mr. W.W . Read, and Mr. Webbe, and Mr. Hornby, and Peate to bowl, and Ulyett to do all that mortal can in every department; and Maurice Read, and Briggs, and the patient defence of Hall, and Mr. Christopherson to break the stumps asunder when his ball encounters these frail fortresses. But we do need several fast bowlers badly, and when we say “ bowlers ” we do not mean “ chuckers” or “ throwers.” It is time, to speak in the vernacular, that the chuckers were chucked. The Australians are especially, and justly, severe on men who aid their art by the illegal use of wrist and elbow. Nothing can be more destructive to good cricket, nothing more damaging to good fellowship and fair play, and nothing more dangerous to the human ribs and knuckles than the toleration of throwing. Suppose Mr. Bonnor chose to throw, instead of bowling ! Why, man born of women could not live before him ; the pitch would be strewn with the dead and dying. Let us, above all things, bowl fair. “ Bowl fair, whatever you do,” we may say, in a modification of the words of the immortal friend and partner of Betsy Prig .—Daily News. AUSTRALIAN TEAMS IN ENGLAND. THE ABORIGINAL TEAM. Highest Score, 284. Mullagh King Cole Cuzens Jim Crow Charley Dick-a-Dick Bullocky Peter Red Cap Sundown Twopenny Mosquito Tiger ' C. Lawrence (Surrey), Shepherd Captain Matches played, 47 lost, 14. won, 14; drawn, 19; D. GREGORY’S TEAM.—1878. Highest Score, 305. D. W. Gregory (Capt.), N.S.W. A.Bannerman,N.S.W. C. Bannerman, N.S.W. J. M. Blackham, Viet. G.H. Bailey, Tasmania F. Allan, Viet. H. F. Boyle, Viet. Matches played, 40; lost, 7. W. L. MURDOCH’S TEAM.—1880. Highest Score, 327. T.W. Garrett, N.S.W. W. L. Murdoch, N.S.W. F. R. Spofforth, N.S.W. T. Horan, Viet, J. Conway (Manager), Viet. won, 18; drawn, 15; W. L. Murdoch (capt.), N.S.W. J. M. Blackham, Viet. A. C. Bannerman, N.S.W. H. F. Boyle, Viet. G. J. Bonnor, Viet. T. U. Groube, Viet. A. H. Jarvis, S.A. Matches played, 37; won, 21; drawn, 12; lost, 4. W. L. MURDOCH’S TEAM.—1882. Highest Score, 648. W. H. Moule, Viet. P. S. McDonnell, Viet. G. E. Palmer, Viet. J. Slight, Viet. F. R. Spofforth, N.S.W. G. Alexander (manager), Viet. W.L.Murdoch (capt.), N.S.W. J. M. Blackham, Viet. G. J. Bonnor, Viet. A.Bannerman, N.S.W. H. F. Boyle, Viet. T. W. Garrett, N.S.W. G. Giffen, S.A. G. E. Palmer, Viet. Matches played, 38; lost, 4. F. R. Spofforth, N.S.W. T. Horan, Viet. S. P. Jones, N.S.W. H. H. Massie, N.S.W. P. S. McDonnell, Viot. C. W. Beal (manager), N.S.W. won, 24; drawn, 10; W. L. MURDOCH’S TEAM.—1884. Highest Score, 551. G. E. Palmer, Viet. J. M. Blackham, Viet. H. J. H. Scott, Viet. W. H. Cooper, Viet. W. Midwinter, Viet. G. Alexander, Viet., (manager) W.L.Murdoch (capt.), N.S.W. H. F. Boyle, Viet. A. C. Bannerman, N.S.W. G. J. Bonnor, Viet. F.S.Spofforth, N.S.W. G*Giffen, S.A. P. S. McDonnell, Viet. Matches played, 32; won, 18; drawn, 7; lost, 7. MELBOURNE CLUB TEAM.—1886. J. W. Trumble, Viet. G. Giffen, S.A. A. H. Jarvis, S.A. E. Evans, N.S.W. T.W. Garrett, N.S.W. S. P. Jones, N.S.W. B. J. Wardill, Viet, (manager) H. J. H. Scott, Viet. (capt.) G. J. Bonnor, Viet. F. R. Spofforth, Viet. J. McC. Blackham, Viet. G. E. Palmer, Viet. W. Bruce, Viet. J. Mollwraith, Viet.