Cricket 1891

FEB. 26,1891 CRICKET: A "WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME; 25 run-getting, and that he had to meet the bowling of Palmer, M’Leod, Phillips, Worrall, Trumble, Bruce, and Morris, it was singularly free from mistakes. It may be noticed that J. M’llwraith on one occasion came very near to achieving this same feat in the Inter-Colonial, going in first and being out last for 20 out of a total of 35 by Victoria. But on the occasion when Moses scored 297 (not out) ho went in first wicket down; whilst Murdoch, when (in 1882) he played his remarkable innings of 321 for New South Wales, was out sixth. Bannerman’s per­ formance is thus without a parallel, at least so far as Inter-Colonial matches are concerned. It may be added that Vic­ toria has now won 23, and New South Wales 22, of the forty-five matches played between the two Colonies. Me. B a tc h elo r , who acted as scorer to the Australian team in England last summer, has been, I notice, giving a few of his impressions on cricket at home since his return to Melbourne. The play of the colonial juniors, according to him, is vastly superior to the English boys, mainly because sufficient interest is not shown there in any match below the average county contests. He observed, however, that cricket is widely indulged in by all classes in England, and as the turf seems peculiarly adapted for cricket, a wicket almost equal to the best turf pitch of the Melbourne grounds can soon be prepared without expense. “ It is not an uncommon thing,” says Mr. Batchelor, “ to see a batch of lads fully dressed in cricketers’ uniform, of ages ranging from six to ten years, playing a match on one of the chief grounds in England.” He was very much amused at one of these con­ tests, where two schools were playing a return match, and the school-mistresses were officiating asumpires. Mr. Batchelor is of the decided opinion that were a team of English juniors to visit the colonies, a team of intercolonial youngsters would most unmercifully beat them. Nat Lee, in the Tasmanian Mail, however, suggests that it would not be a bad idea for the Britishers to bring a few “ children of older growth ” in their team, to be on even terms with the “ old boys ” that are invariably found in intercolonial “junior” teams. ‘ B.T.’ th u s s o lilo q u iz e s :—■ Charles Bentley, who died at Torquay on February 2nd last, was a descendant of the celebrated 1Bentley ’ family, being the son of, John Bentley and nephew of Harry Bentley, both of whom in the earlypart of the century held prominent positions as cricketers, and as representative players for England, lie was born at Lord’s in 1815, his father at that time keeping the tavern and looking after the ground for the M.C.C. A few years after­ wards, his father was appointed permanent coach to the ‘ Westminster B oys’ at Vincent Square, on which ground he resided, as cus­ todian for a great number of years; and it was there that Charlie was duly engrafted into the •*art and mysteries ” of the game, whilst assisting his father in the cricket duties attached to the school. After arrival at manhood, and fulfilling engagements with various olubs and at Oxford University, etc.— and also taking part in the ephemeral matches, that fluttered now and then, of “ Middlesex County,” for this County in his day had no local habitation and scarcely a name, until it was galvanized and set going by the late Mr. John Walker, and placed in the position it now holds by the united efforts of the celebrated Southgate Brotherhood—he migrated in 1856 to Torquay, as professional to the olub, on terms that I am glad to think would be looked upon as “ farthings ” in these days; thus plainly showing the advancement of the game, and what the “ gate ” has done— and is doing —where the talent is about. Here he settled down, went into business, and from that time may be justly said to have roused and developed oricket in the “ W est.” He was an excellent “ all round ” cricketer and Bhone as a fast bowler—and also as one of the very best of cricket coaches, for having been nursed and reared on a cricket ground, he thoroughly understood his business; and needed no guide to find his [way about on a cricket field. Charlie was proud of thinking and knowing that he had the honour of “ coaching ” the sons of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales—whilst resident at Dartmouth, studying “ Naval Taotics, on board the Britannia.” And from the vivid description he gave me, as to how the young Princes were coming along, I had hoped that in my peregrinations I might have had the honour of giving his noble pupils the correct block to “ keep the sticks up.” But weightier matters—in the game of life—have withdrawn them from the “ cricket field, ” but so as they follow in the lines of their Royal father The Prince of Wales—as patrons of the game, with an occasional look in, we will rest content. Charlie was a genial companion, and a par­ ticularly good vocalist—and when in “ full song ” his renderingof descriptive songs, such as “ The Ship on Fire,” “ A Southerly Wind and a Cloudy Sky,” “ The Lark shall first Forget to Sing,” &c., was not to be excelled by any amateur. From first to last, he had done duty on the cricket field for over sixty years; and I little thought I had seen the last of Charlie Bentley, when I bade him “ Good-bye ” after officiating with him in a match at Torquay in August last, he then being a hale and hearty veteran. And I thus pay a regretful tribute to a companion with whom I was associated from my youth, in many and many a match, who will be much missed not only by the “ Town of Torquay ” but also by his relatives, and a large circle of attached friends, who will remember him as a genuine “ every-day ” man, and as a staunch cricketer that worthily upheld the reputation of the “ Bentleys.” I t will interest C ric k e t readers of every grade to know that the Grand Old Man has been keeping his hand in, and to some purpose, during the winter. I learn, indeed, from a correspondent who has the best means of knowing, that he is in the pink of fitness even now. Of exercise, he has had ample with the beagles, and, in addition, he has been showing that the old cunning of his hand as a pigeon shot— in which, by the way, one of his most successful imitators as a batsman, W. L. Murdoch to wit, is also a proficient—has by no means deserted him. In his last two competitions with the gun, though unfortunate, he was still very successful. In both he won money prizes, and on each occasion tied for the Cup, though unlucky enough to lose in shooting off. A k een supporter of the game was lost —if only for a time—to English cricket when H .B .H . Prince Christian Victor left England with his regiment for India on the ‘26th of November last. In a cheery letter dated from Bawal Pindi, in the Punjab, on the 28th of January, ho writes that he was off in a month for active service as orderly officer to Major-General Ellis, C.B., who is commanding the Black Mountain Expedition. They had had one match at Bawal Pindi, but, owing to exceptionally cold and wet weather for the last ten days prior to the date on which his letter was sent, cricket had boen im­ possible. The young Prince had distin­ guished himself by getting a pair, though the result was not unexpected, consider­ ing that he had not seen a bat since last August. J. J. F e r k is , the left-handed bowler who has made such a brilliant reputation during the last few years by his excep­ tionally fine bowling for New South Wales, as well as for the last two Austra­ lian teams, left Adelaide in the P. and O. steamer “ Massilia ” on January 21 for England. As everyone knows, or ought by this time to know, he is coming home to settle in Bristol, with a view to inclu­ sion in the Gloucestershire eleven when the probationary period required by the regulations for County qualification has been duly completed. He should indeed be nearing England now, as, all well, the “ Massilia” ought to be at Southampton during the course of next week. I t will be of interest to the many friends Perris has already made in Eng­ land to hear that he was not allowed to leave Australia without a hearty “ send- off” from the cricketers of each of the three leading colonies of Austral­ asia. At Sydney, where his cricket was learned, and with which city he has always been connected, he was specially honoured in the presentation of a handsome gold chronometer, in appre­ ciation of his high qualities, not only as a cricketer, but as a man. The Mel­ bourne Club, which always has a happy way of showing its practical recognition of anything exceptional in cricket, also sped the parting guest with a silver cigar case and match box, handed to him after a very neat speech by the President, Mr. Frank Grey Smith, who, as many well remember, was in England during the visit of the Melbourne Club Australian team in 1886. T h e universal expression of good wil to Ferris on his departure reflects credit on the sportsmanlike-instincts of colonial cricketers, for his loss to Australian cricket will be for a time, at least, irre­ parable. No better proof of the spirit of freemasonry which actuates the followers of our national game all the world over could, indeed, well be furnished than in the following remarks at the farewell dinner given in Ferris’s honour at Mel­ bourne. “ The county of Gloucester is to be heartily congratulated on securing you,” said the Chairman to Ferris, “ as a resident, but we hope only a temporary resident. We are glad to see that such a strong patriotic feeling pervades the NEXT ISSUE, MARCH 26;