Cricket 1887

14 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. JAN. 27,1887. BOWLING ANALYSIS. E ig h t e e n . First Innings. Second Innings. B. M. R. W . B. M. B .W . Lohm ann ... 173 26 36 10 ............ 148 26 31 0 Flow ers ... 172 25 38 6 .............. 133 21 22 7 Barnes 120 20 2 ( 2 Briggs... 108 16 24 8 S h aw ’ s T eam . B. M. R. W . B. M. R/VV. M ’Graw ...112 35 36 01Sparkes ... 6J 6 30 1 J. Spurway2 0 25 70 3I S. Gregory 56 5 15 1 Hum e...............16419 47 1|Cottam ... 52 5 33 2 D onnan ...100 10 »2 2[ G.Spurway 44 4 13 0 Cowper ... 61 4 3J 0|Dickings ... 4 u 2 0 THE EIGHTH MATCH.—v. XXII. OF LITHGOW^W • A kind invitation was given the English team to a big picnic in honour of Beach on Tuesday, December 7, but the whole of them declined, preferring to go over the blue moun­ tains by the day train to view the Zig Zag Kailway. Unfortunately heavy rain was falling In the ranges, and a thick mist hung over the valleys, obscuring most of the splendid scenery. The train left Sydney at nine a.m., arriving at Lithgow (the scene of our next encounter) at three p.m. Lithgow is a small mining town lying at the foot of the Zig Zag, but most of the c jal finds its way to the towns far away in the interior, as they are not able to compete with the towns of Newcastle and Wollongong in sending it to Sydney, owing to those places having com­ munication by sea. On reaching Lithgow rain, which had prevailed, was falling in torrents, ard as it did not clear till noon on the following day, there had been acontinuous downpour for nearly four days and nights. On reaching the ground it appeared impossible that any play could take place, as water several inches deep covered the centre of the field. One part of it, though, lying much higher was free from water, and as it was a very large paddock, the cocoa matting was fixed on the rough soil, the boundary on one side, for which 2 only were allowed, being very close. Luncheon was first discussed, and at ten minutes to three, Bames having won the toss, sent in Maurice Head and Scotton. The wicket w’as difficult, the uneven patches of turf producing bumpers and shooters indis­ criminately. The fieldsmen frequently dashed through large puddles of water, to the amuse­ ment of the spectators, one in particular causing rare fun by falling down in it. A dozen were quickly made, when Read was bowled, and before another run was made Scotton shared the same fate. Barnes only just .nanaged to crack his egg when a noise behind warned him to depart in peace. A few short runs were made by Barlow and Gunn, when the latter was out, very unluckily being caught from the bowler’s hand by deep mid-off from a terrific drive. Barlow was soon after caught at long-on, Briggs bowled, and Flowers beautifully caught at long-off for 3. Bates, however, proved what big hitting can do. lie hit with such power and so often that the bowlers did not know where to pitch the ball for him. The first 20 were made by huge drives. After this the trundlers allowed him to get another score by bowling short, and being continually pulled to leg. Lohmann made 6, and Mr. Clarke, who wTas playing for Shrewsbury—left behind in Sydney—was caught at the wicket the first ball he received, although he had to run a dozen for Bates before getting it. Sherwin brought up the rear, and helped Bates to increase the score to 80, when he was bowled. Bates who was responsible for just half the total was greatly applauded, and well he deserved it. The Twenty-two began to bat at 5 o’clock, Briggs and Flowers bowling. It took an hour to make 9 runs, and these few actually cost them fourteen wickets. Briggs got seven for five runs, ai)d Flowers four for an equal number of runs, while three fell victims to the agility of the fieldsmen and Sherwin, who delighted the spectators writh his lively antics behind the wicket. On Thursday, December 9, in windy cool weather, the local men finished their innings in twenty minutes, and as the remaining seven wickets just doubled the score, 18 was the very modest total. This small score is not the lowest made by Australian Twenty- twos against English teams, as in 1884 Moss Vale wrere dismissed for 14, and in 1874, at Kadina, South Australia, Mr. W. G. Grace’s team disposed of the twenty-two for 13 runs only. A disastrous start was made by the Eleven in the second innings, as at lunch time Bates, Scotton, Barlow, Gunn and Read were all out for 9 runs. Afterwards Briggs and Barnes increased the total to 25, when both left. Lohmann and Sherwin carried the score to 42, when the former was caught at slip for 10, Briggs being the other double figure with 11. The wicket being much drier wras more difficult than on the first day, the balls breaking and shooting at a faster pace. The Lithgow men repeated their first per­ formance as nearly as possible, as w'hen the last wicket fell they had only made 27 runs, of which five were extras. The score sent is so incomplete that no purpose would be served by its publication here. Briggs and Flowers bowled through the match unchanged. In the two innings each delivered 136 balls for 20 runs, Briggs getting twenty-three wickets and Flowers fourteen. To dismiss twenty-tw’o men twice for 40 runs from the bat I think beats the record, and the feat must be considered a remarkable one. The attendance was good, numbering nearly 1,000, which would be more than half the inhabitants of the township. Every kindness was shown the visitors, two singing parties and a fancy dress ball being specially arranged for them. The mashing members of the team of course attended the ball, aud no doubt were the lions of the hour. Leaving Lithgow at ten minutes to one a m. for Sycjney on Friday, December 10, wre safely arrived soon after sunrise and obtained some hours’ sleep before commencing the return match with New South Wales. A fewralter­ ations had been made in the local eleven, which included H. H. Massie, one of the Australian team, and was considered stronger than the one which defeated the Englishmen three weeks ago. THE NINTH MATCH.—v. NEW SOUTH WALES (RETURN). The decisive victory obtained by the Colonials in the first match had the effect of causing a large amount of interest in the return. A great deal of rain had fallen during the wreek, but it ceased on the Thursday, and a strong S.E. w'ind and brilliant sunshine caused the ground to be in fair playing order, although a trifle slow. Shrewsbury won the toss, and sent the N.S.W. eleven in to bat. Bannerman and McDonnell opened the defence to the bowling of Briggs and Lohmann. After Bannerman had made seven in two hits, M’Donnell played one of Briggs on, and the most dangerous man on the side wras out with the unenviable “ duck” to his credit. Moses now appeared, and the cricket was dreadfully slow, twenty-five minutes elapsing before 10 appeared on the telegraph board. The next 10 were made more rapidly, and Moses hitting Lohmann for 6 in one over Flowers took up the bowling. At lunch time, after one hour and a quarter’s play, the total was 32. On resuming, the same slowgame continued, till Bannerman was tempted to let out at Flowers and was finely caught by Barlow at extra mid-off. The retiring batsman had been in two hours for 14 runs, 7 of which he made in the first five minutes. Players and spectators were very glad to see hiir gone. Quite a different style of batsman now stepped forth from the Pavilion in the person of Massie, who sent Flowers to leg for 4 the first ball he received. Barnes now relieved Briggs, and after Massie had made 8, bowled him off his legs. Three for 61. Moses all this time had been playing with great care, and on be­ ing joined by Jtuchardson, another spell of very slow play ensued. Biiggs again bowled, and at last got one past the stubborn defence of Moses, who retired with 44 to his name. This was the first time the N.S.W. crack left­ hander has been dismissed by the English team, 31 at d 30, both times not out, being his score in the first contest. Allen, who came next, was bowled by a “ yorker” from Briggs, Turner rapidly knocked up 15, when, in hit­ ting across at one of Barlow’s (who had re­ lieved Flowers), he was clean bowled. Marr wras well caught in the long-field by Gunn, Briggs soon after bowled M’Glinchy, and Bar- low disposed of Burton. The innings closed at a quarter-past five for 117 by Briggs bowl­ ing Richardson, w’ho had been at the wicket two hours for 19 runs. A fresh wicket having been chosen, Shrewsbury and Barlow began the English batting. Turner and Ferris, the heroes of the last match, being entrusted with the leather. Barlow, after making four, was caught at the wicket, a decision which the Lancashire man vowed was a bad one. Barnes, who followed, attempted to play a ball of Turner’s, breaking in from the off with his leg, but putting it too far out it passed inside and bowled him, much to his chagrin. Two for 20, The stumps were now drawn, Shrews­ bury being not out 11. The attendance numbered 3,000, The wicket all day played easiljr. Briggs, who took five wickets for 45 runs, and Barlow (three for 16), bowled well. Flowers out of thirtv-six overs sent down twenty-seven maidens, and only 16 runs were made from him. No less than eight of the Colonials were bowled. On Saturday, Dec. 11, in perfect cricket weather, the game was continued. Read accompanied Shrewsbury to the wickets, and a good stand was made. Runs came freely, and the score advanced to 40. As the next 10 were soon got, M‘Glinchy relieved Ferris, and Marr Turner, but 60 soon appeared. Turner then tried the other end, but without result. 70 and 80 appearing on the board. Turner then returned to his original end, and Ferris again bowled. With the total at 86 Ferris bowled Read for a well-played 35. Scotton came next, and five maidens were delivered before the new comer snicked Ferris for a single. The players then retired for luncheon. At 2.20 the play was resumed and Scotton was bowled bjrFerris almost immediately. The Nottingham left-hander is out of all form, although apparently in the best of health and condition. Gunn now joined his captain, and both men had to play some very fine bowling, scoring being almost out of the question. The 100 was at last reached. At 110 Marr tried, and Shrewsbury hitting Ferris for 4, Allen relieved him. With 120 up, the stock bowlers again resumed, and Shrewsbury was will caught at point for a patient and useful 64, Briggs made no sign, copying Barnes, and being bowled in exactly the same manner. Bates now stepped out, and quickly made a dozen, when Turner bowled him. Flowers quickly returned to the pavilion, also clean bowled by Turner. (Seven for 149, and eight for 149.) Lohmann filled the gap and after hitting Turner to leg for 4, sent the last ball of the same over clean out of bounds into the Ladies’ Reserve for 5— a grand stroke. Gunn’s time had now come, a fine ball of Turner’s beating him. He had played a good innings, though the early part of it was painfully slow. Now came the fun of the day. Sherwin and Lohmaun stole three singles, and then Lohmann turned his attention to Turner, hitting him to leg for 4 and 2. Lohmann next hit Turner to the off for 4, and Sherwin followed his example by dispatching Ferris for a like number. Soon after Lohmann sent Ferris for another 4, Next i * 4