Cricket 1890

DEC. 27, 1890. CBICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 469 that in he proposed amendments too much was made to depend upon the result of one match. This,he admitted,was an objectionable feature. But it must be borne in mind that the game would only be played as the result of a series of disasters, and be the crowning point of a bad season. As a matter of fact, it would have to be played only when the previous performances of any county had been so indifferent as to bring it to a point where, in com­ mon justice to those beneath, it should vindicate its right to be called their superior. The month of September might be rather late, but they were as likely to get good cricketing weather then as in June; and these test games might form an attrac­ tive finish to the end of every season. No county outside the first-class had any desire to take unfair advantage of their seniors in rank. They desired no promotion until they were fit for the position. They tad no wish to reduce a rival until it had been shown he was inferior. They wanted simply to arrive at a fair and equitable method, by which merit receives its due reward, and. therefore, if there were any general expression of opinion on the part of that meeting in its favour, he was pre­ pared to modify his resolution to tho following extent:—To substitute ‘ home and home ’ matches for 4one game only shall be played upon neutral ground,’ and to omit the clause which reads 4and the loser in the class below.’ The substitution of heme and home matches would, perhaps, provide a surer testof skill, and would probably be more workable, as the counties could make their own arrangements as to ground, dates, and so on. There seemed to him no reason why the list of first- class counties should not be increased to twelve, and if it were thought a delicate matter to reduce a county in rank, the promotion principle only might work for a year or two, and thus give time to judge of the practical application of this system. County clubs were springing up all over the land. Devon, Bedford, Monmouth, Lincoln, and other shires were organising their forces, and on th<ir behalf, that they might have a future b fore them, and on behalf of those who had already felt the oppression of the present exclusive system, he asked for the support of the meeting. D r. Bencraft was also the seconder of this resolution. Mr. Oates stated that Notts altogether objected to the scheme, and Mr. Denison, of the same county, also objected to a series of matches, without which no classification could be made. H e suggested that the Council should refuse to officially recognise any County Championship. Mr. John Shuter felt that the leading counties would not accept the plan. They would always, however, recognise m erit in any of the younger shires and assist them. Mr, W . G. Grace urged that Gloucestershire had not becom e first-class by any system. They had shown good cricket, and having won all their matches were heartily encouraged by the principal counties. Mr Swire stated that Lancashire having con­ sidered the scheme objected to it, and Messrs. Spencer and Bonnor, on behalf respectvely of Somersetshire and Leicestershire, neither of which had been represented at the meeting of second-class counties in October,also expressed disapproval. Yorkshire, the Chairman stated, was also against the scheme. Mr. Mallett (Durham\ who originally proposed the resolution providing for classification last December, said it was about time theycuneto consider whether the Council Was any good at all. The first-class counties appointed a sub-committee to consider the question. They met and drew up a scheme which, if it was unsatisfactory, was still a scheme, and that was approved at a special meeting of the Council. Now it was proposed to repudiate everything which had been done. Many gentlemen had urged that first-class counties could not be compelled to make matches they were not inclined to, but why was not this point raised before ? It existed before the sub-committee met, and that was formed equally of representatives of first and second class counties. The Council appeared to ignore the relative merits of the lead­ ing second class county and the bottom first- c ass county. Why could not Somersetshire be promoted next year and Sussex placed amongst the second-class counties? Some decision must be come to, for the existence of county cricket depended upon more healthy encouragement. The first-class counties, who by preconcerted ac­ tion agreed to oppose any proposal, ought to recognise their responsibilities in this matter. He had pointed out year after year in connection with his own county (Durham) that the/ could make no headway because they could get no fix- res. If the Council was not going to do any- ng, for goodness sake say so at once. In replying. Mr. Ansell said—In spite of all that has been said, the scheme was now law, and un­ less the Council was to make itself a laughing­ stock it would te carried out next year. If it was not carried out they would at least know where they stood, and the sooner the Council was dis­ solved the tetter. He was tired of coming up year after year like Lazarus to the table of Dives to eat of the crumbs from the rich man’s table. They could not get matches with the leading counties because they were afraid some comparison would be instituted. It was nonsense to say that no County Championship or classification existed. That was one of those myths with which they were so fond of amusing themselves. The second class counties did not want anything unreason­ able. All they asked was that merit should be rewarded. Many of them had been working for years in the interests of county cricket, only to find that any hope of reward was out of the question. Mr. C. W . A lcock remarked that they were in a difficulty, and they had to try and get out of it. It seemed to him the best means was to m ove the suspension of the rules of the Council so as to throw the matter open to discussion, and with the permission of the Chairman he would do so. A discussion then ensued as to whether the amendments to the tw o rules should be put together or separately, and the Chairman ruled that rules 4 and 5 as passed in August could be struck out, and then the amendments put. The erasure of rules 4 and 5 was carried on sufferance, but the amendments were lost by seven votes, eleven voting for and four against. On an application of Mr. Ansell that the names be recorded, it was seen that Warwickshire, Hampshire, Derbyshire, and Durham had voted for the amendments, and Middlesex, Kent, Surrey, Gloucestershire, Nottingham, Sussex, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Somersetshire, Leicestershire, and Norfolk against. Mr. J. B. W ostinholm moved that the standing orders be suspended in order that the whole scheme m ight be discussed. This was carried. Mr. W ebbe, however, m oved as an amend­ ment that the Council should be suspended sine die , and this was seconded by Mr. Oates. As seven voted for and seven against the proposal the casting vote was left to the Chairman, who gave it in favour of suspension This utterly unexpected result fairly took those present by surprise, and they dispersed hurriedly—a most undignified ending to what we are compelled to describe as a most unbusinesslike m eeting. E A S T LAN C A SH IR E CLUB. The annual meeting of this Club was held at the W hite Bull H otel, Blackburn, on the 10th inst. The statement of accounts showed that during the last season the cricket receipts amounted to £'111 13s. 10d., while the total incom e from members’ subscriptions reached £322 18s. The total receipts amounted to £1,114 5s. 4d., of which sum .£450 was loan for a new pavilion. The payments were £ 1,112 2 s. 8 d. ^including M459 8 s. paid to the contractor for the pavilion, .£110 13s. pro­ fessionals’ wages, and .£97 12s. Id. railway fares and match expenses). The assets put the value of the buildings, fixtures, &c., at £'803 7s. Id., and subscriptions in arrears .£45 ; whilst on the liability side £450 was due to the bank, the balance in favour of the club being .£400 9s. 9d. The report was adopted, and officers elected. The hon. secs., Messrs. W . H . H ornby and T . Houlker, were again elected, and Mr. Pollitt hon. treasurer, Messrs. Hamer and John H indle were re-elected respectively captain and vice-captain of the first eleven ; and Messrs. John Smith and W. Standen captain and vice-captain respec­ tively of the second eleven. The ground was fixed to be opened on Saturday, A pril 11th. Matches have been arranged with Rochdale, W igan, Stonyhurst, Little Lever, Leyland, Burnley, Preston, Accrington, Church, Ram sbottom , Nelson, Colne, Darwen, Rushton and W halley, and probably matches will be arranged with the Manchester club. CRICKET IN COLOMBO. GARR ISON v. ST. THOM AS’ COLLEGE. Played at the Barrack Square on Nov. 21 and 22 . S t . T homas ’ C ollege . First Innings. Second Innings. Mr. Wilkins, c Gordon, b Churchill........................ 7 b Murray.....13 J. Heyzer, b Gilham ... 10 b Churchill ... 0 D. Robertson, b Churchill 39 c Gordon, b G ilham ........ 8 F. de Livera, b Churchill 1 b Churchill ... 0 Mr. P. Stephens, not out 32 b G ilham .....28 J. Sirimane, b Churchill 3 b G ilham ....... 6 E. Dharmaratne.c Elkins, b Churchill ................. 6 run out ...... 2 E. T. Gamier, b Churchill........................ 1 c Murray, b Gilham ......10 ?. Dharmaratne, b Churchill........................ 0 not out ...... 0 P. J. Sproule, b Churchill 0 b GiJham....... 1 A. W . focke, c Gordon, b C hurchill........................ 0 b Churchill ... 0 Extras........................11 Extras ... 4 Total ... ...110 Total ... 67 G a r r is o n . First Innings. Co1. Churchill, b Robert­ son ............................... Lieut. Greenhill-Gardyne, c Sproule, b Wilkins ... 1 Capt. Block, b Robertson 5 Corp. Gilham, c Stephens, b W ilkins...........................13 Lieut. F. W. Kerr, c Gamier, b Heyzer .........42 Second Innings. Lieut. W. E. Gordon, b Wilkins ... ................. 1 Lieut. S. L. Murray, c S. Dharmaratne, b Robert­ son ... ........................ 9 not out Capt. Jennings Bramley, b Dharmaratne .......... Bomb. Elkins, not out ... Corp. Hunter, run ont ... 0 Priv. Fenton, st Stephens, b Robertson ................. 3 Extras ........................ 7 c Gamier, b S. Dharmaratne 4 c Stephens, b Heyzer ..........11 lbw, b Robertson 2 b S. Dharmara­ tne ................. 0 b S. Dharmara­ tne ................. 6 ... 25 not out ..........15 run out .......... G Total ...106 Extras ... 6 Total ... 75 % * This Issue completes Vol. IX . Cases for binding same can be had from any Bookseller, or direct from Offioe, price 2/6. W e s t ’ s P o c k e t S c o r e B o o k contains ample room for keeping Bowling Analysis, &c., for 48 innings. In use by all principal Clubs. Post free Is. l£d., of Wright and Co., 41, St. Andrew’s Hill, Doctors’ Commons, E.C. G r a c b P a r l o u r C r ic k e t .— A Handsome Birth­ day Present for boys. Matches played and analy­ sis kept same as on the cricket field. Any number canplay, and endless enjoyment and amusement is afforded by this ingenious Indoor Game. Post free, securely packed, 2/10.— W r ig h t & Co., 41, St. Andrew’s Hill. London. Footballs This Brand l U U l U U l l O i i s A BS OL UT EL Y THE B E S T NEXT ISSUE, JANUARY 27.