Cricket 1892

“ Toge ther jo ined in cricket’ s m an ly toil.”— Byron, Begi8te°'ed^?r2Tra1asm?BsSnAbroafl. THURSDAY, JUNE 1 6 , 1 8 9 2 . P R IC E 2d. MR. A R T H U R SANNON JOHNSTON . I f there were triple blues in general, as there are in University athletics, there would be no lack of claimants for the distinction. The cool nerve, the clear head, the steady hand, and the keen eye, are most of them essential to the attainment of marked proficiency in any line of sport. The increased popularity attending athleticism, too, has fired the youthful ambition to such an ex­ tent that exceptional ability in any one game is not sufficient. It is essential now-a-days to the construction of a really high repu­ tation that the foundation should be all-round excellence—special aptitude, that is, inmore than one branch of the athletic curriculum. And of this type, the all-round athlete, Arthur Johnston, is a fit­ ting exemplar. Born at Hornsey Lane, on March 16,1863, to Middle­ sex also belongs the credit of his early training. Mill Hill School gave him his first lesson in discip­ line on the cricket field as well as the class-room. Though he entered there in 1872, it was not until six years later that he got into the eleven. George Street, son of the old ground-keeper of the Oval, now with the Blackheath Club, in the following year coached the Mill Hill eleven. In young Johnston, too, Street found a pupil of such promise that he was an ea3y first in the batting averages. In 1880, after leaving school, he went abroad, and though in 1881-82 on his return he did good service for the Hendon Club, it was more as a bowler thiin a batsman. Absence abroad inter­ fered with his cricket again in 1883, and in fact that year was a blank. Joining the Hampstead Club in 1884, he had then the first opportunity of any really good practice. The result was eminently satisfactory, so much so that he was not only at the head of the batsmen with an average of forty- five, but was also well in front with the ball, taking forty wickets. Another inter­ ruption to his cricket in 1885 fortunately did not interfere with the development of his batting. On tlxe contrary, increased opportunities the following summer brought him to the front. A first hundred is an event in a cricketer’ s career, and 1886, if only for that reason, would have been memorable for him. But it brought still more interesting recollec­ tions as the first year of County cricket. His first appearancc for Middlesex (against York­ shire, at Bradford) was not made under the most favourable conditions. It was a bowler’s wicket in fact, and he did fairly well to stay in an hour and carry out his bat if only for seven runs. The same week he represented Mid­ dlesex against Notts, at Nottingham, and with dire results,Jbeing unfortunate enough to bag a brace. In 1887 he scored in all matches over thirteen runs, for an average of thirty-seven, besides taking eighty-five wickets. His one match that year for Mid­ dlesex was against Oxford University, at Chiswick Park. To many the mere mention of the match will be sufficient to recal the heavy scoring of Oxford. Messrs. Key and Philipson put on 340 for the seventh wicket, and if he only scored 10 runs for twice out, Mr. Johnston had the satisfaction of catching Mr. Philipson in the long field. Though he played no County cricket in 1888, he was still in good form with ball as well as bat, scoring over 1,100 runs for an average of thirty- seven, besides taking eighty wickets The following year he was even more successful, as his aggregate of 1220 runs gave a batting average of 40, while his ninety-eight wickets cost less than eight and a half runs apiece. Meanwhile (in 1888) he had gone to live at Wanstead, and he represented Essex against M.C.C. in the following year, with the result of the dreaded “ duck.” His first Inter - County match forEssex was against Warwickshire in 1890, and here fortune favoured him to the tune of 38 runs in his one innings. In his next match, against York­ shire, he got forty-nine, and in proof of the consistency of his scor­ ing it need only be added that his seven innings for Essex gave him a creditable average of over twenty- two runs. In all matches he scored 1,300 runs for an average of 43, and took fifty wickets. Last year he scored consistently throughout. His best innings for Essex were 86 against Warwickshire at Birming­ ham, 76 and 38 v. Hampshire, and 53 (not out) v. Leicestershire in the return match. With such figures as these, and others of equal value, it will hardly surprise any one to learn that he was at the head of the Essex batting tables at the end of the season, with an average of over 35. In minor cricket, too, he was at his best, scoring 1,504 runs for an average of 41.28. This year so far he has only played once for Essex. That was at Dewsbury v. Yorkshire, and his first score of 48 was the one redeeming feature of a poor display. As an all-round cricketer Mr. Johnston is distinctly above the average. With sound defence he combines plenty of hitting powers and as he scores well all-round the wicket, he makes runs fast when set. His out- cricket, too, is of equal value to any side, for he is a smart as well as a sure field. In Rugby football Mr. Johnston lias made even a higher reputa­ tion. At the invitation of another good all-round athlete, Mr. A. E. Stoddart, he joined the Blackheath F.C. in the autumn of 1885. Since then he has helped them regularly at full-back, nnd in that position, as well as their place-kick, he has been invaluable. As a full-back, indeed, he has had few, if any, superiors. For Middlesex, as well as for the South against the North, he has always come off well, and no better proof of his excellence can be furnished than his selection to represent England