Cricket 1890

86 CBICKET: A WEEKLY BECOKD OF THE GAME. MAY 1, 1890. M.C.C. AND GROUND. O u t M a tc h e s . F ix t u r e s f o r 1890. May 10—Farnboro’, v. Staff College May 17—Blackheath, v. Blackheath May 22—Cambridge, v. The University May 24—Bickley Park, v. Bickley Park May 26—Wimbledon, v. Wimbledon May 28—Redbourn, v. Redbourn May 28—Battersea, v. Battersea Park May 29—Oxford, v. The University May 30—Birmingham, v. Warwickshire June 5—Bletchley, v. Bletchley June 6—Rossall, v. The School June 6—Bedford, v. The Schcol June 7—Westminster, v. The School June 7—Woolwich, v. Royal Military Academy June 7—Richmond, v. Richmond June 7—Bedford, v. The Grammar School June 9—Shorncliffe, v. The Camp June 10—Repton, v. The School June 11—Chiswick, v. Chiswick Park June 11—Oxford, v. Royal Military College June 11—Catford Bridge, v. Private Banks June 12—Uppingham, v. The School June 12—Bury St. Edmund’s, v. Bury and West Suffolk June 12—Savernake, v. The Forest June 13—Marlborough, v. The College June 13—Windsor, v. Beaumont College June 14—Harrow, v. The School June 14—Kensington Park, v. Kensington Park June 14—St. David’s, Reigate. v. St. David’s June 14—Tonbridge, v. The School June 14—Mitcham, v. Mitcham June 14—Kensington, v. St. Paul’s School June 16 -Pallingswick, v. Pallingswick June 16—Ardingly, v. 'ihe College June 17—Bradfield, v. The College June 17—Dancing, v. The College June 18—Dulwich, v. The College June 18—Leatherhead, v. St. John’s School June 18—Hurstpierpoint, v. St. John’s College June 19—Winchester, v. Winchester June 19—Brighton, v. The College June 20—Eastbourne, v. South Lynn June 20—Swansea, v. Glamorganshire June 20—Winchester v. The College June 20—Colchester, v. The Garrison June 20—Blackheath, v. Proprietary School June 20—Eton, v. The College June 21-Eastbourne, v. The College June 21—Sandhurst, v. Royal Military College June 21—Felstead, v. The School June 21—Barnes, v. Lyric Club June 23—Mote Park, v. Mote Park June 25—Edmonton, v. Edmonton June 27—Hornsey, v. Hornsey June 28—Haileybury. v. The College June 28—Horley, v. Horley June 28—Bath, v. The College June 28 —Finchley, v. Christ’s College July 1—Epsom, v. The College July 3—Rugby, v. The School July 3—Norwood, v. Norwood July 4—Hampton Court, v. Hurst Park July 4—Ramgate, v. Chatham House (Past and Present) July 5—Mill Hill, v. Mill Hill School July 7—Clapton, v. Clapton July 9—Cane Hill, v. The Asylum July 9—Malvern, v. The College July 15—Stamford, v. Burleigh Park July 16—Upper Clapton, v. Upper Clapton July 16—Highgate, v. The School July 16—Tottenham, v. Bruce Castle School July 17—Nottingham, v. Notts Castle July 18—Southampton, v. Hampshire July 18—Charterhouse Square, v. Merchant Taylors’ School July 19—Ealing, y. Ealing July 19—Elstree, v. Klstree School Masters July 2 1 -Hampstead, v Hampstead July 22—Rickling Green, v. RickJing Green Ju'y 2 1 —Brookwood, v. Brookwood July 23—Uxbridge, v. Uxbridge July 24—Hitchin, v. Hitchin July 25—Nutfield, v. Nutfield July 25—Windsor, v. Home Park July 22 —Reigate, v. Reisate J u y £6—Tooting, v. Upper Tooting July 26—Streatham, v. Streatham July 28—Lincoln, v. Lincoln Liudum July 30—Whitehaven, v. Whitehaven and District July 30—Hovingham, v. Hovingham Hall July31—Olaymore. near Enfield, v. Col. Bos- anquet’s XI. Aug. 1—Oroydon v. Croydon Aug. 1—Malton. v. N. and E. Riding Aug. 1—Cheltenham, v. East Gloucestershire Aug. 1—Heaton, v. Northumberland Aug. 2—Surbiton, v. Surbiton Aug. 2—Godilming, v. Charterhouse School Aug. 4— Bournemouth, v. Bournemouth Aug. 4—Norwich, v. Norfolk Aug. 4—Sunderland, v. Durham Aug. 4—Reading, v. Reading Aug. 6—Melton Mowbray, v. Melton Mowbray Aug. 6—York, v. Gentlemen of Yorkshire Aug. 8—Tunbridge Wells, v. Tunbridge Wells Aug. 8—Hull, v. Hull Town Aug. 9— Brentwood, v. Brentwood Aug. 11— Brighton, v. Sussex C. & G. Aug. 11— Bishop Stortford, v. Bishop Stortford Aug. 13 —Forest Hill, v. Forest Hill Aug. 13— Ryde, v. Ryde Aug. 14 —Aldershot, v. The Division Aug. 15 —Swindon, v. Wiltshire Aug. 15— Hackwood Park, v. Hackwood Park Aug. 18— Bath, v. Lansdowne Aug. 18— Wellington, v. Wellington (Somerset) Aug. 18— Lewes, v. Lewes Aug. 20— Oxford, v. Oxford City Aug. 20 —Plymouth, v. The Garrison Aug. 20 —Willingdon, v. Willingdon Aug. 22— Torquay, v. Torquay Aug. 22— Eastbourne, v. Eastbourne Aug. 23— Honor Park, v. Lloyd’s Aug. 25 —Eastbourne, v. Devonshire Park Aug. 25 —Exeter, v. Devonshire Aug. 25 —Portsmouth, v. United Service Aug. 27— Hastings, v. Hastings Aug. 27 —Sidmouth, v. Sidmouth Aug. 29— Seaton, v. Seaton Aug, 29 —St. Leonard’s, v. South Saxons Aug. 30— Crystal Palace, v. Crystal Palace Sept. 1—Scarborough, v. Yorkshire THE CRICKET SEASON OF 1890. [From Baily’s Magazine for May.] It seems impossible to believe that a little more than seven months ago I witnessed the demolition of the last corner of the pavilion at Lord’s, and that in the second week in April I went over the new Cricket Palace— for it is little less—which now occupies the same site. There are very few members of the M.C.C. who ever saw the first pavilion erected on Lord’s ground. It was burnt down in July, 1825, on the first day of the first Winchester and Harrow match. The Earl of Verulam, however, saw it for one, for he was playing on the Harrow side, and doubtless he will confirm what the Bishop of St. Andrews, who was captain of Harrow in that year, wrote a month or two back, that it was much of the same character as the rustic pavilion with the shrubbery in front, which all middle-aged men must remember. This second edifice was opened in May, 1826, and subsequently was replaced by the pavilion which was pulled down last year. The players* room, at the end of the new pavilion, is very much of the same pattern externally as the well-remembered rustic pavilion; but the new structure is really magnificent. It gives a feeling of space and comfort, and at the same time looks as if meant for use and everyday wear and tear. The grand centre room, or saloon, is nearly ninety feet long, and behind it is a refreshment place of equally grand dimensions. The good old customs have been adhered to, and, as was the case in the last pavilion, there is no “ secret chamber,” for the committee-room is simply divided from the centre room by two glass swing doors, and this is the case with the library and writing-room also. It is almost impossible to count the number of the dressing-rooms, bath-rooms, lavatories, &c. One thing which strikes a visitor is the width and grandeur of the staircases and passages. The building is apparently meant to stand for ever, and certainly ought to last as long as cricket does. The accommodation for the members on the terraces in front of the pavilion, in the balconies, and on the roof, seems to be ample, even for a club which numbers between three and four thousand members. Besides the upstairs accommoda­ tion,*the cellars are a sight in themselves. In fact, after a reign of over a century, the club has thought fit to erect a grand “ Law Court of Cricket.” Most nobly has the w'ork been done, and it is a credit to committee, architect, builders, contractors, and all con­ cerned. Another great improvement on the ground is made by erecting, out of the earth which was dug out for the foundation of the new pavilion, an embanked terrace similar in formation to the embanked terraces which are covered over. The new terrace, however, is not to be covered. It fills the corner from the end of the racquet court to near the new ground; and it will seat from fifteen hundred to two thousand spectators. Dark’s house— the white house in the extreme left-hand corner looking towards the pavilion—is to come down; and then, barring the tennis court, every vestige of the “ Lord’s ” which I remember as a boy in 1841 will have disap­ peared. As regards the coming season, the programmes which have been published in most of the daily papers, indicate that we shall be much “ as we were,” barring that the Australians are coming again. The eight old counties will go through their regular cir­ cuit; and those who see one round of these matches will have the opportunity of seeing most of the greatest players in England. One thing of the greatest importance should now be mentioned, which is that the other counties (many of which are coming quite to the front, such as Essex, Warwickshire, Derby, Leicester, Staffordshire, and others) should be supported in every possible way. Without saying anything ill-natured or de­ precatory of the Australians, the “ pushing- on ” of our home cricket is of far more importance than are the colonial exhibition matches. In general, the British public worship the “ star cricket,” and an Australian match anywhere is good for the pockets of all concerned. We are delighted to see our cousins bat and bowl and field; but when they visit England, it cannot be denied that they upset the “ home kettle,” and if this is to occur every two years half the counties in England will be kept waiting for their deserved advancement. The pleasantest cricket of the year—for amusement and seeing new faces—takes place at Lord’s in August, when the M.C.C. play several of their two-day county matches. On such occasions we see new faces, and many old faces of past school and university cricketers, and there is a freshness and a “ go ” in that cricket which is very pleasant. There is this year a capital August list for Lord’s; though I fear my poor old county—Wilts—is first favourite for the wooden spoon. Breeches and boots suit the moon-rakers better than flannels. The M.C.C. have been very true to the spirit of cricket, by importing on to the ground at Lord’s professionals of the newer counties who are worthy of the promotion. As regards the Australians, everyone will welcome Murdoch, who has shown us as fine an exhibition of batting as it was possible to see, to say nothing of his all-round game. Blackham, also, will be welcome, and Turner and Ferris and Boyle and the others who have been here before. On the last visit Ferris was overworked. The “ Baby” (Bon­ nor) will certainly be missed, especially by those who want a shade to sit under on a hot day; and we should like to have seen Giffen. There are several new faces coming, and we may be pretty sure that they will be “ hot customers.” The Australian rawmaterial has a great deal of wear and tear about it. Boyle and Blackham are becoming quite members of the family, as this is their seventh visit. Don’t let our cricketers forget that on the Australians’ last visit they practised for five days in all weather, and went off “ with a wet sail,” and won everything until Mac- Donnell was crippled, and Jones was laid low by illness; and it behoves our cricketers who are going to meet them to begin by practising too. There is another thing which cricketers hope will be taken up and carried out this year, and that is some final decision about classifying counties. It is to be hoped, too, that one of two things may be done, either decide that there shall be no classification, or that there shall be a “ hall-mark,” which shall be earned and awarded by some respon­ sible authority. If this latter be done, I fancy there will be much changing of places among counties before very long. Poor Derby has lost another of their best