Cricket 1891

(MEMBER OF THE KENT COUNTY XI.) M A I N U E A C T U R E R O F C R I Cricket, Football, and Lawn Tennis Outfitter (Wholesale, Retail, and for Exportation), 140. LEWISHAM HIGH ROAD , LONDON, S.E. “ To ge th e r jo ined in c r ick e t ’s m an ly to il.”— Byron . Eogi8?«ed^OTCTran3mis3io?A.broaa. '1HURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1891. PRICE 2d. much so, that several of the principal fixtures had to be left in an incomplete state. A mastership at the Dulwich College Preparatory School curtailed Mr. Douglas’ cricket in 1889, too, in fact, he was only able to play very little. Having gone into residence at Cam­ bridge in October of that year, he made his first appearance in the Freshmen’s match early in the following season. Sub­ sequent events proved of what importance this trial was, and, indeed, five of the most successful performers on that occasion ob­ tained their ** blues.” Nor would any history of Cambridge cricket in 1890 bo complete without a conspicuous mention of Mr. Douglas’ consistent and brilliant success as a bat. In the earlier matches he scored well against somo of the best bowling of the year. Three of his performances in particular merit pro­ minent notice, his 72 against Yorkshire, his second innings of 57 against the Australian team, and his double success in the run-getting match against Sussex, at Brighton, wherein he scored 84 out of 107, and 62 out of 87 while he was in. Further, though unsuccessful against Oxford, he was certainly the most consistent batsman of a good batting side for Cambridge, and his average of 30.16, even if on paper inferior to that of F. G. J.Ford, was, in point of merit, quite the best of the year. On his University form the Committee of the Surrey County C.C. were thoroughly justified in selecting him to repre­ sent the Gentlemen against the Players at the Oval, although, on a wicket all in favour of the bowlers, like several others he was not seen to advantage. The close of the University season left him free to assist Surrey, and he made his first appearance for the County against Sussex, at Brighton, on July 10. Though other engagements prevent­ ed him having more than four innings for Surrey last year, these gave him plenty of opportunities of showing his real value, and his aggregate of 136 included a very fine score of 72 in the return with Sussex at the Oval. This year, already, Mr. Douglas has shown himself to be in brilliant form. His aggregate for eight innings for Cambridge, as yet, is 268 runs, and his score of 131 in the first fixture of the year, made against such first-class bowlers as Mr. Ferris, Mold, Peel, and Briggs, would alone stamp him as a bats­ man of exceptional merit. His latest performance of 48 against Yorkshire, at Cambridge, at the end of last week shows conclusively, too, that he is maintaining the promise of that early performance up to date. His success, moreover, it is satisfactory to be able to add, has been gained by sheer merit. Few cricketers coming with little or no experience into first-class cricket have so soon won a place in quite the front rank. A thoroughly sound and watchful batsman be has all the advantage of good defence with plentv of hitting power. His wrist play, in particular, is very effective, and as he always plays the game, and is not lacking in pluck, he is generally seen to the best advantage. He is an excellent field, in addition, anywhere. Though mention has already been made of MR. ROBERT NOEL DOUGLAS. D u lw ich C o l le g e has been of great service, more so, indeed, than any other School, during the last ten or five years in furnishing re­ cruits for the Surrey eleven. The names of several Old Alleynians who have subsequently graduated, and with honours, in Surrey cricket will readily occur to the initiated. W. G. Wyld, a little later A. P. Douglas, another Soldier, with M. P. Bowden, and just recently R. N. Douglas and C. M. Wells, all earned their pro­ motion into the County eleven by reason of the important part they had played in the playing fields of Dulwich. Good as was Bowden’s record as a boy, however, it is open to doubt whether the School has as yet turned out a batsman of such a high order of merit as the young cricketer who had such extra­ ordinary success last summer with the Cambridge University eleven in what was really his introduction to first-class cricket. Though the family has resided in and been actively connected with Surrey for many years, Mr. R. N. Douglas, like his elder brother, the “ Gunner,” cannot claim the county as his birthplace. Born at Norwood Green, Southall, on November 9,1868, the first few years of his life were spent inMiddlesex. When he was onlv nine, however, he went to Dulwicn, and as for the last ten years the College eleven has never been without one of the brotherhood the family’s connection with Surrey cricket ha3 been not only active but unbroken. R. N.’s first performance of any note at Dulwich was for the Second Eleven in 1885. It was one much out of the oommon, too, in the shape of a big score of 160 against the Old Boys. As was only to be expected this brought with it immediate pro­ motion iuto the First Eleven, in which for four years he played a leading part. His best perform­ ances, though, were, as was only natural, at the close of his school career. The records of 1887 bear witness to two very notable achievements of his with the bat, a second score of 57 not out, and one of 43 not out against the Free Foresters, on both of which occasions he went right through the innings. The copious rain in the early part of 1888 interfered considerably with School crioket generally that year, and Dulwioh suffered in common with many others, so