Cricket 1888

“ Together jo ined in cricket’s m a n ly to il.”— Byron. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1888. p r i c e * l F R E D E R IC K M A R T IN . D artford and the districts surrounding have at different times proved a profitable recruit­ ing ground for those entrusted with the responsibility of mustering the forces to repre­ sent the grand old County which has Invicta as its motto, and the White Horse as its symbol. Dartford Brent has been the scene of many an important contest, the rallying point of many a leader of Kent cricket of the past as it is of not a few worthy representatives of the present. Dartford can claim to have the entire credit of the cricket education of the young pro­ fessional whose portrait we give this week. Born in Dartford on Oct. 12, 1861, he learned the rudi­ ments of the game on the Brent there. A memi er of the Darenth Vale Club, which in the course of time merged into the Dartford Albion, as it is at the present time, he got plenty of chances of proving his promise as a cricketer. It was not, though, until the commence­ ment of the summer of 1882 that he was brought before the notice of the executive of the Kent County Club through the medium of the annual Colts’ matches. His first appearance, in fact, was for the Colts of Kent against the County eleven at Gravesend on May 16, 1882. On that occasion as well as on the two following days at Mote Park he was only moderately suc­ cessful, and it was not until three years later that he was tried in the County eleven. Meanwhile, he had been showing very promising all­ round form for Major Hardy at Chilham Castle, as well as for the St. Lawrence Club at Canterbury. In 1884, the first year of his engage­ ment, he was remarkably successful for the latter club, both as a bats­ man and a bowler. His highest score was one of 152 against the Folkestone Club, but his 144 against Hornsey was even a better perform­ ance, and in this match in con­ junction with G. Twynam, he helped to make 263 runs before the first wicket fell. In addition he scored 88 against the Clergy Orphan School as well as 72 against Faversham, and he finished the season for the St. Lawrenoe QJub with an exceptionally good record,having a batting average of 85 for twentyrfive com* ploted innings, beside# a oredit of a hundred jyiokota mi hl» bowling summary. successes for the St. Lawrence Club were as marked in the following year, and he not only made several big scores, notably 101 against Chatham House Wanderers, 134 (not out) against Herne Bay, and 114 for Mr. Mackin- non’s Eleven against the second eleven of Kent, but was also very effective with the ball, taking in all 117 wickets at an average cost of 9 runs. Early in the same season he made his bowlers at Lord’s proved that the estimate of his capacities as a cricketer was by no means a low one. The experience of the following year showed, too, that the confidence felt by many good judges in his ability was not mis­ placed. He bowled not only for Kent bub for the Marylebone Club, with the most satisfac­ tory results. In the six county matches in which he took part in 1886, he was credited with 29 wickets for an average of under ten runs, while for M.C.C. he had a most creditable summary, having taken no less than 121 wickets for them during the summer. Last season he was one of the regular members of the Kent team, and he played in every match in which the county figured. The wickets, as will be remembered, though, were generally all in favour of the batsmen, and the Kent bowlers, includingWootton, were on the whole more expensive than usual. On several occasions Martin bowled with good results, but perhaps his best show was against Essex at Tonbridge, and in this match he took six wickets in the first innings of Essex at a cost of less than seven runs a-piece. So far this summer Kent has only played two matches, with honours fairly divided, one win over Lan­ cashire, and one defeat at the hands of Gloucestershire. To the successful result of the first fixture, too, Martin was no mean contri­ butor. His bowling at the close, in fact, did much to win the match, and in the second innings of Lancashire he delivered 47 overs and 2 balls lor thirty-eight runs sn i five wickets—a capital performance. Martin is a left-handed bowler of medium pace. He has a nice easy delivery, bringing the arm well over the shoulder. He keeps a good length, and as he gets a nice curl in from leg, requires very careful watching. When the ground helps him, indeed, he is very dangerous, and on a sticky wicket is quite in the front rank. He is a fairly good field, though there is room for improvement in this department. He is, too, a left-handed bat, and like all left-handers can hit hard. Our portrait is from a photograph by Collis, of Canterbury. Next Thursday Cricket will contain Por­ trait and Biography of 'VtowpAH, of the Australian Team. debUt for the county, but his first trial, against Sussex at Gravesend, on June 4,1885, did not give him a great opportunity, and, in addition to being out for a cipher, he only bowled one over. During 1884 and 1886 he had been re­ presenting the second eleven of Kent with a lair amount of suoceis, and the fapt that at the end of the latter season he was deemed worthy of an engagement an on©ofthe grounfl