Cricket 1892

4 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME; JAN. 28, 1892 to place one tO'short leg off Grimmer. Pougher came next, and without adding to the score was well caught deep square-leg by Beech for 0. W ith G. H. Brann for a partner the game very much improved,the amateur very quickly getting down a 4 and single off Cripps, and a 4 to Hearne off the same bowler sent up 100 amidst cheering. This also made the Kent player’s score 50. Brann next hit one square off Cripps on to the Pavilion for 6, this stroke bringing forth loud applause. Next over he cut the same bowler for 4. W ith the total 124 Hearne, in hitting to leg, was caught by Castens for a faultless 64. The outgoing batsman had played grand cricket for that number, not giving a single chance, his innings including nine 4’s. He was heartily cheered upon reaching the pavilion. G. G. Hearne took his brother’s place, and Brann signalised his arrival by cutting Cripps for 4. G. G. Hearne did not seem at home with Grimmer, and after snicking him for 2 the Kimberley bowler clean bowled him round his legs. Wood followed, and started by cutting Grimmer for 3, then placing Pemberton (who had taken the ball from Cripps) to leg for 4, sending up 150. After making 10 the Surrey wicket-keeper had his leg-stump disturbed by Grimmer. (Seven for 150). Brann, who had played good cricket,but was unfortunate in not getting anyone to stay with him, forced the game to a merry tune. With his score at 40 he should have been caught in the long-field. J. Ferris and Martin were soon out for 1, and with J. T. Hearne in G. H. Brann was well caught on the boundary by Cripps for a dash­ ing 45, including five 4’s and a 6. This brought the innings to a close, J. T. Hearne not out 0, for 180. Grimmer was the most successful bowler, taking six wickets for 58 runs—a fine performance. At 4.15 W. W. Read led his merry men into the field. Mills and Routledge soon followed to open the Colonials’ innings. Martin opened with a maiden, Ferris going on at the other end. He also sent down a maiden. In Martin’s second over, Routledge put him to leg for 4. With the score at 5 Ferris yorked Mills for 0. Calder came in, and after Ferris sent down two successive maidens he cut him for 4. Soon after Calder hit Martin for 4, and Routledge cut Ferri3 past cover-point for the same amount. Runs now came very fast, Routledge doing most of the scoring. With the score at 36 he lost Calder, he being out to a catch at the wicket off Ferris for 8, making way for Cripps. Routledge next hit Martin for 4 and a double, but in the following over from Ferris he was finely caught by Brann at mid-on for a well-nlayed 33, this being ma'le up chiefly by six 4’s, a 3, and 2 (three for 43). Hickley next, Cripps signalling his arrival by driving Ferris twice in succession for 4, sending up 50 amid cheering. With the score at 52 Hickley was well taken at point for none. F. Hearne was the recipient of a hearty cheer on coming from the Pavilion. From the first ball he narrowly escaped being caught in the slips. He now lost Cripps, who was well taken at cover by J. T. Hearne (five for 52). Coghlan filled the vacancy and opened his account by placing Ferris to leg for 3. Runs now came very slowly until Hearne drove Martin for 3. The next ball Coghlan pulled for 4, sending up 60. J. T. Hearne now took the ball from the Kent bowler, who had been punished rather severely. At 73 Hearne clean bowled Coghlan for 11 (six for 73). Van der Byl came next and started with 3 off Hearne, this being the last made, as with the score at 76 for six wickets stumps were drawn for the day, leaving the game in a very interesting state. The fact of commencing an important match of this kind on a Wednesday, and leaving it over to be continued on the follow­ ing Saturday, seemed strange from our English point of view, but it was easily to be accounted for, and showed the wisdom of the “ powers that be ” out here in organising, or, rather, arranging the programme, for the next day (Thursday) was Christmas Eve, and everybody was busy in town, the same as at home, at this season of the year; and then followed Christmas Day. This arrangement turned out a wise policy —as will be shown later—respecting the enormous gate obtained on Boxing Day (a general holiday), being the second day of the match v. Cape Colony. Our kind friends here, who are ever ready to utilise an opportunity of doing something for our enjoyment and amusement, soon arranged a picnic on a large scale on the Thursday before Christmas Day to Hont’s Bay, so that we should not have an entirely idle d ay; so about ten o’clock a.m. a powerful array of vehicles,some eight in all (seven four-in-hands and one six-in-hand), appeared at the Royal Hotel, and our party were soon on the Victoria Marine road, with its lovely scenery of sea and mountain combined. This road had been traversed once before by your present correspondent, but it lost none of its charm and pleasure, so pleasant was the company, and fine the day. On reaching Hont’s Bay, soon all were disporting themselves after their own fashion—some bathing, and some enjoy­ ing a stroll on the sands and the refreshing sea breezes after the heat and dust of the town and cricket ground for the past four days in succession. Luncheon was now served in a most pleasant spot in the woods, and, after a plentiful and excellent cold colla­ tion, singing and speech-making followed, the songs being particularly good with the array of talent we had. Our captain, Mr. VV. W. Read, proposed the health of Captain Wright, the hon. sec. of the Western Province Union, who had so kindly arranged the delightful outing, the gallant captain suitably respond­ ing. All went as “ merrily as a marriage bell,” and the home journey was made by way of Constantia and Wynber", with equally beautiful surroundings, although of a different kind to the outward journey, with its grand rocky coast. Full as this day had been of pleasure, the evening—Christmas Eve—was not allowed to pass over without further festivities. One half of our party were hospitably entertained by Mr. H. H. Castens, a well-known leading cricket and football enthusiast, and the others had accepted an invitation to dine at the sergeants’ mess at Wynberg Camp, where the Colonel and officers joined in later, fun and frolic reigning supreme over many a “ bumper ” for a merry Christmas. On returning into town it was a novel sight to see the crowds of holiday people keeping their Christmas Eve—very much after our fashion at home, the streets being literally crammed with people; but I am forestalling my description of a South African Christmas Day, so must at ouce pro­ ceed to say that many of us were up early to the Cathedral service,and many were astir a*, a very early hour, except those of our “ boys” who had made the midnight oil burn, and also the said night “ though lost now to sight, but to memory dear,” by singing good old English carols through the streets. The Christmas Day itself was simply magnificent from a weather point of view', with a perfect blue and cloudless sky, and a pleasant breeze when out of the town. There was a very fine choral service at 10.30 at the Cathedral, the Bishop of Cape Town officiating, at which most of our men were present, the compliment being paid us of reserving two special pews for our team. This being over at 12.30, we had arranged for our whole party of eighteen to drive to the Queen’s Hotel, at Sea Point, to enjoy our Christmas dinner together. And a right merry and jovial time we had. Speech-making had been barred on this special and social occasion between ourselves, but “ absent friends” (in these two words alone) were toasted in bumpers of champagne, and found their way to many a tender heart amongst us. A parting glass before we left the table to enjoy ourselves by the seaside with fishing, &c., took the form of toasting our “ Cricket Friends in Australia,” and I assure you the Surrey “ boys ” honoured it with enthusiasm. This was my first experience of Christmas away from home, but the kindly greetings of a “ Merry Christmas ” from one and all, including the Africanders and Malays, made one feel “ quite at home ” in one sense, and proved that the festive season can be equally enjoyed under a broiling sun, and I assure you the roast beef and plum pudding, with its accompanying “ burning brandy sauce,” were all there. At the end of the day all agreed we had had a most enjoyable one. The s.s. Drummond Castle unfortunately came in the day after Christmas Day. So our batch (and a big batch too) of Christmas cards from England arrived the following day, which we were glad to receive, all being pleased at our “ thoughtful friends ” at home. S econd D ay — S atu r d a y , D ecem ber 26. It was again beautifully bright, and very hot, but the holiday people streamed out in thousands to witness our second day’s play at Newlands, v. Fifteen of Cape Colony. So great was the crush at the station that even our players were delayed one train later than usual. On arriving at the New­ lands Station we found it gaily decorated with flags, &c., and a goodly circle already around the ground, although it still wanted an hour and a half to the time for commencing play. In they flocked from all quarters, until there could not have been less than between five and six thousand people—quite a “ record gate ” for this place. His Excellency the Governor and Lady Lock and a large party were early on the ground, occupying the special stand erected for them. The band of the East Yorkshire Regiment again added to the pleasure of those present during the after­ noon. The scene was a memorable one in the extreme, and most picturesque, with the gay toilets of the “ fashionable crowd,” and pleasing holiday costumes of the Malays, added to this the grand mountain scenery. The Army and Navy were also in great force on this occasion, and the Church has been well represented also, the Bishop, &c., rarely missing a match. It was an excellent and memorable day’ s cricket as well, as given in full below; so in these general remarks I have only to add the large crowd was admirably got away from the Newlands Station after the match. After leaving the game so interesting it was not a surprise to find such a large company assembled on Newlands Ground on the second day of our match. Punctually at noon the Englishmen took the field (Brockwell fielding in place of Wood, who was seedy), quickly followed by the two not outs, F. Hearne and V. Van der Byl. Martin and J. J. Ferris again started the bowling. From Martin’s third ball Hearne scored 3. A very few runs later the latter got his leg in front of a straight one from Ferris, the outgoing bats­ man having played good cricket for 21. (Seven for 87.) Castens opened his account by placing Ferris to the on for 3. Van der Byl skyed one rather dangerously, but it went to the ropes, this fluky stroke sending up 100 amidst applause. Scoring was now increased, Alec Hearne going on vice Ferris, a hit to leg causing Martin to retire in favour of J. T. Hearne. An unfortunate accident occurred, for in stopping a hard return from Van der Byl, W. W. Read had his finger injured, he having to retire for the rest of tho day, Ayres taking his place in the field. This caused the game to be stopped for a short time. After re-starting Van der Byl twice in succession cut J. T. to the ropes, sending up 130, both batsmen playing good sound cricket. No separation being effected, Pougher went on in place of Hearne, and Martin was given a trial from the other end. This brought about the separation, as in Martin’s first over he clean bowled Van der Byl for a well-played 31. (Eight for 158.) Beach followed, and without troubling the scorers he was caught by Pougher at mid-on for 0. Luncheon bell now rang, with the board signalling 158—9—0. At twenty minutes past two Glover accom­ panied Casten to the wickets. W ith the score unaltered he was bowled by Pougher, the last three wickets having put on 1 run NEXT ISSUE FEBRUARY 25