Cricket 1889

Toge ther joined in cricket’s m an ly toil B y ro n , Registered for Transmission^Abroad. THURSDAY, JULY 25,1889. p r i c e 2d. MR . JAM E S C R AN S TON . B y no means the least conspicuous of the many good traits which have marked Mr. W. G. Grace’s character during his lengthy and distinguished cricket career has been his in­ variable readiness to assist and encourage young players whatever their sympathies or connections. So far as Gloucestershire cricket itself has been concerned his disposition has always been to give a trial to youngsters who show any signs of real excellence. As he made his first appearance in important matches when not yet sixteen he had, of course, the benefit of his own personal experience to guide him. Some of the most prominent members of the Gloucestershire eleven have been initiated in the mysteries of county cricket at a very early age. Mr. James, or to call him as he is more familiarly known by his many friends in the West, Jimmy Cranston, is a notable illustration. Born on Jan. 9,1859, in Birmingham, Gloucestershire claims him under the residential qualification. Educated at Taunton College, Mr. Cranston’s active con­ nection with Gloucestershire began when he was still in his teens. In 1876, according to “ Scores and Bio­ graphies/’ he was residing at Red- land, Bristol, and it was in that year he made his debut in county cricket. His first appearance for Glouces­ tershire was against Yorkshire, at Sheffield, on July 24, 1876. A memorable match it was, too, if not for him at least for the County, in one respect, that the three brothers Grace had a hand in getting out the whole of the Yorkshire eleven in both their innings. It was, indeed, a wonderful feat, and one which Mr. Arthur Haygarth, the indefatig­ able compiler of “ Scores and Bio­ graphies,” is correct in asserting to stand almost alone in the annals of county cricket. Though Mr. Cran­ ston’s appearances in 1876 were confined to the two Northern out-matches of the Gloucestershire team, and his three innings only realised six runs, there was evidently ample proof of his ability as an all-round player. At least in the following summer he was installed in the County eleven, and with fairly good results, an aggregate of 116 for eight completed innings, including 37 against Surrey at the Oval as the highest score. A capital innings of 38 (not out) against York­ he made altogether 317 runs, and his average reached nearly nineteen. As a rule he has been successful against Yorkshire bowling, and the three opportunities he had of trying its mettle that summer were utilised to the tune of 112 with one not out. His most bril­ liant performance of the year and, indeed, his best in county cricket, so far, was in the re­ turn with Lancashire, at Clifton, at the end of the season. In the first innings while he was in with Mr. W. G. Grace, he helped to put on 126, and Mr. Cranston was batting altogether two hours and three-quarters at the wickets without a mistake for his 127, the highest score of the match. Though he removed to Worcester­ shire just about this period, and subsequently to Devonshire, he was still qualified to represent Glouces­ tershire under the family home qualification. Still, though from 1884 to 1888 inclusive Mr. Grace did not claim his services, he was not altogether lost to county cricket during these five summers. The Warwickshire Committee had dis­ covered that he possessed the right of birth to play for the County, and twice in 1886, and once in 1887 he was found in the Warwickshire eleven, though with no great suc­ cess. His four innings, indeed, only realised 25 runs, and his chief scores during his absence from the Glou­ cestershire eleven were still in Gloucestershire and its neighbour of Devon. Though more than one innings of over a hundred was cre­ dited to him during 1886 and ’87, his most fortunate season in minor matches was in 1888. In 1880 he made 160 for the Clifton Club against Clifton College, and in the next season 174 (not out) of 674 for three wickets got by Thornbury against James Thorne. Both these, though, were surpassed last season when he secured 197 for Clifton against Lansdown, a remarkably good display of cricket. His im­ proved form in 1888 led to the belief that he would be of use, and the com­ mencement of this season saw him again acting under Mr. W. G. Grace’s command. His opening match, too, against Surrey at the Oval was sufficient to show that he had lost none of his aptitude for scoring, and his first innings of 55 ^as one of the best on either side. This he supplemented with even a more brilliant performance at Brighton in the very next fixture. He punished the Sussex bowlers, season was one of almost continuo us success. In fourteen completed innings he had an aggregate of 394 runs, and among many good scores were 63 against Yorkshire, at Chelten­ ham, 42 and 10 (not out) against the same County, at Sheffield, 52 against Somersetshire, at Bath, 51 against Surrey, at Clifton, and 35 (not out) against Middlesex, at Lord’s. In 1883, too, his average was within a fraction as good. Though he only had eleven completed innings shire, at Cheltenham, was his best contribu­ tion for his County in 1878, but otherwise he did little, and his average was under nine runs. Three not outs in twelve innings enabled him to show a considerable improve­ ment on the whole in 1879, but still his highest effort was not very large, one of 39 against Somersetshire, at Clifton. It was not, indeed, until the summer of 1881 that he began to make his mark really as a batsman. That