Cricket 1890

MAR 27, 1890. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 41 A n enthusiastic student of cricket lore has sent me the following verses, which have, at least, the merit o f a respectable old age. They were given to a friend by Mr. Sutton, of the Bell Hotel, Bromley, an old and keen cricketer, who has had them in MSS. for over fifty years. The manuscript, which is very worn and dirty, shows signs of even greater antiquity. Singularly, too, the lines are in a female hand. Mr. Sutton formerly lived in Mitcham, but left that parish some forty- six years ago. On the second cricket match between Mitcham and Coulsdon, played at Smitham Bottom, September 21 and 22,1791. Mitcham I well done my boys, a second time, Thy glory now must still extend my rhyme. Now Coulsdon is by Mitcham beat once more, And now she glories as she did before, Tour triumph, neighbours, now it is complete, Coulsdon was fairly by eight wickets beat. Tho’ Coulsdon first got five times ten, It was exceeded by the Mitcham men, Lads of Mitcham, the most gallant ’leven, Fairly headed them by five times seven. The Coulsdon next they just got forty-four, And all the ’leven they could get no more. The Mitcham men they little had to do, The work was fairly done in wickets two ; Four Mitcham lads advanced upon the plain, And wielded not the cricket bat in vain ; Tho’ forty-four Coulsdon had gained complete. Soon Mitcham gained forty-five to beat. Sanders, the Tipstaff, Einckley, all gained fame, And as for Mitcham lads they closed the game, Twas Hinckley’s lot to strike the final blow, To gain the notch that proved their overthrow; They fairly showed how Mitcham men could And gallantly they early closed the day. A C orrespondent has kindly sent me the following interesting reference to cricket material over a century ago :— I send you a note from Vol. I. of “ The Early Diary of Frances Burney,” lately pub­ lished by George Bell and Sons, which pre­ serves the name of a srreat bat maker of the last century, and also gives information as to the weight of bats at the date of the letter, whioh is “ June ye 6th, 1773.” The letter was written by a Mrs. Rishton. Mr. Rishton is elsewhere referred to in the book as a great crioket player. “ June ye 6th, 1773. “ Mrs. Rishton begs Miss Burney to buy Mr. Rishton two cricket batts made by Pett, of 7 Oaks. You will get them at any of the great toy shops, the maker’s name always stamp’d upon them. Ask for the very best sort, which costs 4s. or 4s. 6d. each. Let them weigh 4oz. and a quarter, or 4oz. and half each. Send them by the Exeter post coach.” For “ oz.” we, of course, should read “ lb,” it was a lady who wrote it. A w e l l - known historian of the game who will be easily recognised by many under his signature of “ Old Harrovian,” "writes thusly— In C r ic k e t , the deaths ef cricketers of note are invariably mentioned. An omission has, however, lately taken place of one who, in his day, was very famous,"and I presume he has been accidentally forgotten. I refer to Mr. Frederiok Walker, late owner of Amos Grove, Southgate, who died on December 20,1889, aged 60. He was the third of the family band of seven brothers, all of whom excelled greatly in the game. Only three of the famous band of seven brothers now remain alive. T h e death of Roger Iddison removes another figure that was once familiar, not only on Yorkshire grounds but throughout the Country, in the sixties, and indeed until well in the seventies. Born at Bedale, in September, 1834, Iddi­ son commenced his cricket career at an early age, and was actively identified with his native County of York, for a period extending over some twenty years. He was a member of the first English team which visited Australia, at the end of 1861, under the auspices of Messrs. Spiers and Pond, and did good service both with the bat as well as with his lobs, which were often of use to the County as well. For several years he was one of the most reliable all-round cricketers of the United All England X I. and later on was prominently identified with the formation of the United North of England Eleven, of which he was at the outset joint Secretary. A stubborn bat, as well as a sure field at point, and often o f great value with his lobs when a wicket was wanted, he was one of the most useful professional players of his time. Some short time since it was found that he was suffering from an incurable ailment, and his'death, which took place at York on the 19th inst., was not unexpected. T hough Murdoch, owing, perhaps, to a natural resentment at not being asked to represent New South Wales in its first fixture of the season, declined to take part in the return, he represented New South Wales against South Australia, at Sydney, in the middle of last month, as will be seen. Boyle, who saw him practising on the Association ground at Sydney, describes his form as “ first- class, not a semblance of falling off from his old elegance, freedom and finish being observable, while if anything his batting power was stronger than ever.” Another correspondent who saw him at the nets on the'groundof the Melbourne Club confirms this testimony. The latter, who is a good judge, too, indeed, adds that he never saw Murdoch play in better form in his life. English cricketers will, it goes without saying, be only too pleased if it should be proved over here that the Captain o f the com ing team retains the form which some few years ago won him a reputation as a batsman only second to that of the great master himself. By the way, it seems as if the statement that I made some time ago, as to the likelihood of Murdoch settling down in England, may after all prove to be correct. At least, in a letter from a reliable source from Melbourne, under date of St. Valentine’s Day, I learn that it was probable he would leave Melbourne a week later, taking all his family. O ne of the most curious instances of the application of the closure which have as yet come under m y notice,[was recorded in a match played on the Newlands Ground, Cape Town, on the 13th of last month, between the Western Province Club and the Diocesan College. A. Richards, the Old Leysian, who has been doing some consistently heavy scoring in South Africa this wintor, and E . Budler, who opened the batting for the former, had made 124 without the loss of a wicket when the innings was closed. After getting the College out twice for 57 and 73 respectively, the same batsmen made the seven runs wanted to win, so that their side did not actually lose a wicket in the match. The score of the Province was so curious that it will bear repro­ duction :— W s s t e r n P ro v in c e . First Innings. Second Innings. E. Budler, not out .. 40 notout .. .. 1 A. Richards, not o ut.. 80 not out .. .. 6 E x tra s .................4 Total .. ..124 Total .. 7 Diocesan College made 57 and 73. $ T W ft u L '')■£ I t will be news to many C ricket readers that Mr. Herbert Marshall, whose water colours are creating so much interest at the Pine Art Society, is the old Cantab who acted as long-stop to the fast bowling o f R. Lang with such remarkable success in the sixties. A Yorkshireman by birth, he went to West­ minster School, and was “ Head o f the Fields,” i.e., captain of the Eleven there. Elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1860, as Dean Thomas’s exhibitioner, he jplayed in the Cambridge University Eleven against Oxford in 1861, 1862, 1863 and 1864. He was one of the hon. secretaries of Free Foresters for several years, and not only played in many of their matches, but was also, with Messrs. Ratliff, S. Lyttelton and J. Marsham, one of their famous quartette singers. He took to art as a profession, and was elected an Associate of the old Water Colour Society some years ago. H is special forte lies in sketches of London scenes. I t was hardly to be expected that Lord Harris would be allowed to start on the first stage of his journey to Bombay, especially considering the importance and the responsibility of the post he has been selected to fill, without a fitting fare­ well from his many friends, in the politi­ cal as well as the cricket world. It was a busy scene at Liverpool Street Station on the morning of February 27, when the new Governor of Bombay left London to join the P. and O. Steamer “ Thames.” Lord Harris, who appeared in the best of spirits, conversed most cheerfully with his friends and acquaintances, and as the train steamed out of the station was started on his long journey with hearty cheers—led off with hurrahs for his Lordship— and then for her Ladyship—- and again once more for their infant son, to which an emphatic “ bravo ” was added by one ubiquitous “ R. T .,” who many a time and oft has watched his Lordship’s cricket from his very college days. w * . NEXT ISSUE, APRIL 17.