Cricket 1889

90 1 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF .'THE GAME, m a y 2,1889, ing of the County Council, in December, it is quite certain that there would have been no obstacle offered to the “ Demon’s ” introduction into the Derby­ shire eleven this summer. . As it was, though, the representatives of the Counties present at Lord’s, by a very large majority, decided against the appeal of the Derbyshire Committee, on the broad ground that its admission was con­ trary to the rules which governed County cricket, and that such admission might, in the. future, be utilised by others to countenance other irregularities which might even be more detrimental to the well-being of the game. I n the face of the expression of opinion at Lord’s, though, it does not seem to be quite fair that Derbyshire should ask those Counties they are to play in 1889 to be parties to an admitted infringement of the rules. I see it stated, and, I presume, on good authority, that the Committees of the Yorkshire and Notts County Clubs have intimated that they will offer no objection to Mr. Spofforth assisting Derbyshire in the matches against their respective Counties this summer, and that the authorities of M.C.C. have also signified that they will not place any obstacle in the way of his doing duty for Derbyshire at Lord’s. I f this last be correct, as I have no reason to doubt, it seems strange still that the administra­ tors of the Laws should give official sanction to a violation of the rules of County cricket. I t will be of interest to English Cricketers to know that the Halifax Cup Committee have recently adopted new rules which allow the batting side to declare its innings closed at any time. They have also passed another important resolution, compelling the continuation of a match after the time agreed upon for drawing the stumps if the winning side has ten runs or less to make to win, or but one wicket to fall. A t the annual meeting of the Cricketers’ Association of the United States, held at Philadelphia on April 11, the following were elected officers for the ensuing year : President, P. M. Bissell,Germantown C.C.; First Vice-President, N. S. Walker, jun., Staten Island C.C.; Second Vice- President, Herman Clarke, Seabright C.C.; Secretary and Treasurer, William E. Philler, Merion C.C.; Corresponding Secretary, A. J. D. Dixon, Young America C.C.; Executive Committee, Daniel S. Newhall, Young America C.C.; John A. Harris, juti., Philadelphia C.C.; John Glenn, jun., Baltimore C.C.; Milton C. Work, Belmont C.C.; William Brockie, jun., Germantown C.C. Mr. Bissell, the President, is the Hon. Sec. of the Inter­ national Match Committee, which has in its charge the collection of the team to represent the Gentlemen of Philadelphia in England this summer. English Cricketers who have visited the States have reason to be grateful to Mr. Bissell for much courtesy and attention. Mh. W. A. H enry , who was over here with the Gentlemen of Canada in 1887, I learn from the Empire newspaper of Toronto, is shortly to be married. This announcement will be read with interest by Mr. Henry’s many friends in England. T he Athletic News makes mention of a good bowling performance on Saturday. In a match between Mirfield and Horbury, played on the ground of the former, Steele took all ten wickets of the latter, and at a cost of only five runs. Considering that the season is only just opening, the feat is one well worthy of a special record. T he consecration of the Rev. H. H. Montgomery, whose election to the Bishopric of Tasmania I mentioned in “ Gossip ” a fortnight ago, was celebrated yesterday at Westminster Abbey with the customary pomp and ceremonial. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury officiated as celebrant Priest, and Canon Farrar, the new Bishop’s father-in-law, who was for many years a master at Harrow School, where Mr. Montgomery received his education, delivered the usual discourse proper to the occasion. In his day, as I have before said, a good cricketer and footballer, Bishop Montgomery’s muscular Christianity will furnish an additional claim to a hearty welcome from the sport-loving population of Tasmania. I understand the Bishop will not leave England for his new home until July next. Me. J ohn S huter is bent on getting the majority of the Surrey team into form as early as possible, to judge by the names of the players who are to represent the Surrey Club and Ground in the first fixture of the season on Saturday next. The eleven under the command of the Surrey captain against Bickley Park, at Bickley, will consist of the fol­ lowing :—Messrs. John Shuter, W. W. Bead, K. J. Key, L . A. Shuter, C. E. Horner, with Lohmann, Abel, Wood, Sharpe, Lockwood and Harris. I t is to be hoped that Major Warton’s enterprise in introducing an English team to South Africa has not been attended by a financial loss, as is reported, and on authority which ought to be reliable. The necessity of securing the services of a first- class all-round cricketer like Ulyett to fill the vacancy caused by the enforced return of Mr. J. H. Roberts must, no doubt, have interfered considerably with the Major’s arrangements. At the same time, the tour was productive of so much benefit to the cricket clubs as well as to the cricketers of South Africa, that it is absurd to believe they could allow the first visit of English players to result in an actual loss to the promoter. Altogether the trip seems to have been, in spite of the severe work in travelling, of a most enjoyable kind, and those mem­ bers of the team with whom I have come into contact since their return home, Abel in particular, speak not only in the highest terms of the reception generally, but also very hopefully of South African cricketers and the develop­ ment of the game oh that Continent in the near future. As will be noticed in the report of the special general meeting of the Maryle- bone Club, held at Lord’s yesterday, the alterations in the rules, proposed last year by the sub-committee appointed by M.C.C., and put back then on the sugges­ tion of Lord Harris, to elicit the views of the principal cricket clubs, were duly passed. This result [had been foreshadowed by recent announcements of a general and favourable concurrence of opinion, and it was confidently expected that the three proposals would become law. I learn by telegramjust as the paper is going to press, that the election for the four vacancies on the Committee of the Marylebone Club, decided at Lord’s yesterday, resulted in favour of the Duke of Buccleuch, the retiring President, Lord Hawke, Messrs. A. W. Ridley, and John Shuter. There were, as will be seen on reference to the report, nine candidates. J. B astow , who kept wicket for Middlesex for a time, and of late years has done good service for Essex, intends to discontinue acceptance of the usual professional retainer. In the future it is not his intention to rank as a professional, as least, so I am informed on the best authority. SOUTHGATE CLUB. F ixtures for 1889. May 4 Southgate, v. Stoics Maj 11 Hendon, v. Hendon May 18 Southgate, v. Brookfield May 22 Southgate, v. Thespians May 25 Southgate, v. Sixteen of the Christ Church Club May 29 Clapton, v. Clapton June 1 Southgate, v. Mr. Green’s XI. June 8 Margate, v. Margate June 10 Bamsgate, v. South Eastern College June 15 Southgate, v. Upper Clapton June 52 Tottenham, v. Trafalgar June 24 Hornsey, v. Hornsey June 29 Southgate, v. Brookfield July 3 Southgate, v. Clapton July 6 Southgate, v. Marlborough Blues July 13 Southgate, v. Kensington July 20 Southgate, v. Park Bovers July 27 Colney Hatch, v. Mr. W. J-Seward's XI. July 31 Southgate, v. Thespians August 3 Southgate, v. Trafalgar August 6 Southgate, y. Hornsey August 10 Southgate, y. Stoics August 17 Upper Clapton, v. Upper Clapton August 24 Southgate, v. Hendon August 31 Southgate, v. J. Hall’s XI. M r . F. E. S pofforth did a good bowling performance for Belper Meadows v. Derby Midland on Saturday, He delivered nine overs (three maidens) for 10 runs and seven wiokets.