Cricket 1888

DEC . 27, 1888. CKICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OV THE GAME. 475 Mr. W. E. Denison said his committee (Notts) approved of the spirit of the resolution, but could not approve of the latter part—viz., that the adopted county should be considered equivalent to the county of birth. It would be a great pleasure to see Mr. Spofforth playing for the county in which he had a bona-fide residence. The Notts Committee were inclined to give a cordial support to the proposal, subject to certain modifications, one of which was that the cricketer should make a written declaration, to be approved by the M.C.C. Further, that? if a man changed his residence, he should be subject to the residential qualification. Mr. Smith said he did not object to Mr.Denison’smodification and the motion, which was seconded by Mr. Denison, was altered to read as follows:— “ If a cricketer, born out of theUnited Kingdom, comes to England and makes his per­ manent home in any county, he shall be allowed to play for that county on his giving a written declaration, to be approved by the Marylebone Cricket Club, that his permanent residence is in such county. Should he change his residence to Janother county, he shall be subiect to the usual residential qualifica­ tion.” Messrs. A. J . Webbe (Middlesex), W. G. Grace (Gloucestershire), W. Ansell (War­ wickshire) and J. G. Walker (Middlesex) all opposed, on the ground that they would be giving privileges to Australian cricketers which they did not give to their own, and that as there could be no dis­ tinction it would be easy with an imme­ diate qualification, to get Australians over to England—a most undesirable thing. After some further discussion the amended resolution was put, and lost by 12 votes to 2. A motion, proposed by Mr. Smith (Derbyshire)—“ When a professional cricketer plays for any county, either under the birth or residential qualification, the season during which he so plays shall be excluded from the period of residence necessary to qualify him to play for any other county,” did not find a seconder. Lord Harris was re-elected president for the ensuing year, but as Mr.Webbe was not disposed to continue in the dual office of hon. sec. and treasurer he was with Lord Harris and Mr. Shuter elected to choose a fitting successor. Messrs. M. J. Ellison (Yorkshire) and C. W. Alcock (Surrey)were elected auditors. Devonshire and Northumberland were affiliated. Votes of thanks to the president, and to the M.C.C. for the use of the pavilion, brought the proceedings to a close. % * T h e next number, to appear on Jan. 24 commences the eighth volume of C r ic k e t . The paper will be forwarded post free, and immediately on publication during 1889, on receipt of postal orders for six shillings. I n 1888 the Penarth Club, Cardiff, played 27 matches, of which 13 were won, 10 lost and 4 drawn. The principal feature of the season’s work was Mr. P. W. Morgan’ s bowling, his analysis reading 822 overs, 108 maidens, 460 runs, and 3.112 average. Of the 116 wickets eighty were clean bowled. “ COMPARISONS ARE ODIOUS.” T h e G r o w l o f a S u l k y O l d D o g — in A n s w e r . A fig for your boundary hits and long scores ! A fig for your drawing-room game ! Give me the good days when men ran all their fours And left others to sing of their fame. When the game was untainted by guineas and pelf, The cricketer pointed with pride— Forgetful of all that was done by himself— At what had been done by his side. A fair green sward supplied all a cricketer’ s need, A fair bat was the only defence; Fair play was the pith of a cricketer’s creed, And haid work, without sham or pretence. Before all the life in the ground has been killed By all sorts of dodges and tricks, A bowler in pitch, break, and distance well skilled Had a very good chance at’the sticks. But now his best skill is killed dead by the ground Which is made like a billiard green cloth, And we see the “ vile system” of “ bobbing around ” With leg-pads, as some shabby cove doth. Your boundary hits which go over the ropes, And at which your friends bellow and snout, On a good open down would have settled your hopes By a cry of “ well caught—one more out!” My young cricket friends, make the most of your luck, For your task’s very easy to-day, Compared with your father’s, which wanted more pluck, And which always was based on fair play. PRESENTATION TO ARTHUR SHREWSBURY. O n Saturday, the 15th inst., Arthur Shrews­ bury, the celebrated Notts cricketer, who has just returned fromAustralia,waspresented with an illuminated address and a purse, containing seventy-two sovereigns, subscribed for by his friends and admirers in Nottingham, in appreciation of the remarkable cricket he snowed in 1887. The Mayor of Nottingham (Alderman Renals) presided. The Chairman in opening the proceeding?, remarked that all Nottingham people were proud of Shrewsbury as a cricketer and citizen. The address, which contained designs of the old and new pavilions on the Trent Bridge Ground, showed the respeot and esteem in which he was held by his towns­ men, not only as a cricketer, but as a thoroughly respectable and highly-esteemed member of the community. The following is a cop y : “ This testimonial is presented to Arthur Shrewsbury, together with .£72, in recognition of his wonderful batting average, namely 78.15* for the season of 1887. The total number of runs made by him in first-class matches amounted to 1,653 for twenty-one completed innings, which included eight three-figured scores, averaging from 101 to 267. This presentation is further intended to recognise not only Shrewsbury’s great ability as a cricketer, but also his straightforward and honourable conduct, which nas won him universal respect, both in his native county and throughout the cricketing world. The following noblemen and gentlemen, residents of the town and county of Nottingham, have subscribed to this testimonial by a uniform subscription of 5s. each.” Among the subscribers were the Duke of Portland, the Duke of St. Albans, the Dean of Rochester, Sir Henry Bromley, Mr. H. S. Wright, M.P., Mr. A. Morley, M.P., the Mayor and ex-Mayor of Nottingham, and the Sheriff, Mr. Councillor John Robinson. Lord Belper said it afforded him very great leasure to make the presentation. There ad been a spontaneous feeling that Shrews­ bury should receive something tangible at their hands for his remarkable batting per­ formances in 1887. During that year he might mention that Shrewsbury, playing for England against M.C.C., scored 152 ; for the Players against the Gentlemen, 111; for Notts against Middlesex he made 119 and 267 ; for Notts against Lancashire he made 130; for Notts against Gloucestershire he made 119,and for Notts against Sussex he scored 101 and 135. That record, he thought, had never been beaten, not even by Dr. W. G. Grace. He felt sure that Shrewsbury would not look upon the tes­ timonial so much in the financial light as he would in knowing than it had emanated in a voluntary and spontaneous manner from amongst his own fellow citizens in the town and county of his birth. Notts depended a good deal for her success on professional cricketers,but whether amateur or professional, it was a source of pleasure to find men like their guest always endeavouring to uphold the game by their gentlemanly conduct, and trying to win, whatever the odds seemed against their side. In conclusion his lordship handed over the testimonial to Shrewsbury, and expressed a hope that he might long live to play for Notts and enjoy, socially, a most prosperous life. Arthur Shrewsbury, who was heartily received, said it was always gratifying to a cricketer to know whether by a word of en­ couragement or in any other manner, that his efforts on the cricket field had been witnessed and appreciated. It was scarcely necessary on his part to point out that so long as he had played cricket he had ever done his utmost for his side, never wishing to take an unfair or undue advantage, but at the same time not desiring to concede one. It had been said by some few unkind and uncharitable persons that he ought to have placed everything on one side, and remained in England last year to assist his county. Well, they must understand he was engaged in what he might term a per­ fectly legitimate business transaction, involv­ ing the outlay of some thousands of pounds. He had agreed with Mr. James Lillywhite twelve months previously that should the foot­ ball tour take place he would stay out and assist in the management. The tour did take lace, and it would have been worse than dis- onesty had he shirked his personal respon­ sibility and left Mr. Lillywhite, who was one of the partners, to manage as best he could. He (the speaker) therefore remained on the spot, and represented two-thirds of the outlay. It would have have been much more pleasant for him to have been playing cricket, but he had a duty to perform. Speaking of Notts cricket, he said it must be their endeavour to retrieve themselves not only by the strength of the team, but by what was equally important, the best of good feeling existing between the players and the executive. In conclusion he hoped it might be his good fortune to retain the respect and esteem of his many friends in Nottingham and elsewhere for many years to come. Hearty votes of thanks were given to Lord Belper, to the promoters of the testimonial (Messrs. E. Browne, G. M. Royle, and G. Creasey), and to the Mayor for presiding and granting the free use of the hall. T h e R u le s o f C ric k e t on C a rd s u ita b le for H a n g in g u p , P ric e 2d. In n e a tlb la c k fram e s, 2s. (3d. — W r ig h t & C o ., 41, S t. A n d re w 's H ill, D o cto rs C o m m o n s , E .C . NEXT ISSUE, JANUARY 24.