Cricket 1892

18 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME; FEB. 25, 1892 awakened an interest in, and developed a practical ability for cricket all over the country. For only the very best cricketers played in his team; to be engaged as an A.E.E. man was the ambition of all young players. I believe the men were engaged for the season, and pledged themselves to play whenever their captain wanted them. That was one reason why there were so few county matches; Clarke would not let his men off, and perhaps they did not desire it either. For in these matches against odds, the strain was not so great. Cricket was scarcely regarded seriously by the eleven ; there was more “ gate ” than sport in a majority of the matches. And there too many matches—two a week almost right through the season, and al over the British Isles. AParr played for the “ All England Eleven ” during their second year, 1847, and in his first innings—viz. v. 20 of Leicestershire, scored 100, which for many years was the record. On the death of Clarke in 1856, he succeeded to the Captaincy, being Secretary as well, and then it was thac that glorious annual match was first played at Lord’s— “ All-England v. United All-England ”—the latter being a split from the former in 1852, owing to Clarke’s unpopularity with certain of his own eleven and other cricketers. Two matches were arranged in 1857, and Parr’s double contributions, 56 (not out) and 19 (not out), 48 and 36, were so appreciated by his colleagues that later on in the season they presented him with a handsome gold watch. The following year, 1858, the “ Lord’s ” match under this title was set aside as a “ benefit” to Parr, and a similar compliment was paid him 20 years later, when in 1878 a match was arranged in his honour between North and South at Trent Bridge, But to summaries. It is impossible to give even a partial list of Parr’s doings between 1844 and 1871. His first two innings were 20 and 5, his last two, 32 (not out) and 53, in first-class cricket: a wonderful achievement. Through many years his name figured at the top ofj.the averages, though but few “ cen­ turies ” came from his bat. I can find only the following; 100,101, and 118 for the A.E.E., and 116 and 130 for Notts. The last named has often been quoted; it was scored against Surrey in 1859, was chanceless, extended over five and a half hours, and largely helped to give Notts an easy victory by 8 wickets. But mammoth scores were not made in those days. The lawn mower and heavy roller were unknown on cricket grounds. Batting was in consequence hr.ndicapped. Many a really good batsman ‘-funked” the fast bowling, when Lord’s was the venue, and not seldom refused to face it. Yet, for all that, if the annual match between Gentlemen and Players be any test of merit, Parr’s pre­ eminence is indisputable. In 20 years, beginning with 1846 (as before stated), he figured in 28 innings, scored 675 runs, average 24: his last innings for the Players in 1865 being no less than 13 and 69! Doubtless the strained relations between Northern and Southern cricketers kept Parr away frcm many a great match down South, much to the disappointment of all admirers of the best cricket. What then were the characteristics of Parr’ s cricket ? As a batsman he had splendid defence, and hit all round the wicket most vigorously. His style was not so finished as Daft’s, but possibly he was a greater batsman than that master. His square-leg hit is well nigh immortal. By that hit alone Parr’s name should never be forgotten. We have no square-leg hitting to­ day, for the simple reason that\all our great bowlers deliver the ball as high up as possible, and have cultivated the “ off-break.” Scarcely once in an innings do you see a half-volley on the “ leg.” But, prior to 1864, the bowler’s arm could not be raised above the shoulder, and, with the exception of Tinley, Mr. V. E. Walker, and Clarke—the only lob bowlers worthy of being called bowlers we had had— all the bowling was very fast. But, as John Jackson, of Notts fame, one day said to me> “ there were only three of us that were straight.” No, those old bowlers were not straight. William Lillywhite was the ex­ ception. Mr. Gale and others have told us that he only bowled one wide during his long career. That is incorrect, for, during the years 1845 to 1847,1 find he bowled in all four wides, whilst during the same three years Alfred Mynn, one of the cracks, bowled 42, 26, and 74 wides! Hence leg-hitting, in which Mr. It. A. H. Mitchell, poor Mortlock, and others excelled, and in which George Parr was without a rival. One hit of his will never fade out of my memory. It was made against Middlesex on the old Cattle Ground at Islington—in 1867, if my memory be correct; the ball was sent down into the far, narrow corner of that curiously shaped ground, and they ran seven runs for the hit. Parr was also a fine out field : could throw over 100 yards; though, from the time I first saw him in 1858, down to the close of his career, he stood either at slip or point. As a lob bowler he occasionally was very suc­ cessful in the “ country” matches, and here, too, he made his mark in America. Parr was a man of considerable force of character, shrewd, business-like, enterprising. With Wisden he owned a cricket ground at Leamington for a season or two. Like all born leaders of men, he may have been too autocratic at times. But his genuine love of our national game covers any number of minor defects. He was the captain of the first band of cricketers that ever left the old country for the new. In 1859 he took a splendid eleven to America, whilst in the fall of 1863 he oap- tained the “ Second Australian Eleven,” the only unconquered English eleven that has yet visited Australia, and which in the judgment of many who can recall every cricketer of note during the last thirty years, was the vary best eleven that ever did battle for England on colonial soil. THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS AT THE CAPE. [R epr in ted by P ermission from th e Sporting Life.'] TH IRD MATCH.—v. TWENTY-TWO OF PORT ELIZABETH . S fcon d D ay— M onday, J anu ary 4 t h . The weather was again beautiful for the second day’s play of this match, and a large number of spectators again lined the ropes. At 11.30 the visitors started their second innings, being 4 in arrears. The order was changed, Mr. W . W . Read accompanying A. Hearne to the wickets to face the bowling of the two successful bowlers, Parkin and Crage. A disastrous start was made, as from the first ball from Parkin Hearne was caught at the wicket, making room for Mr. W. L. Murdoch. Both batsmen played very carefully, 10 going up after fifteen minutes’ play. A hit by W. W. off Crage to leg for 4, sent up 20, and two runs later the Surrey amateur was missed at square- leg by Patterson. This did not make much difference, as, with only 3 added, he was caught at mid-on, Pagden securing the ball at the second attempt. The outgoing batsman had compiled 12. This made way for Chatter­ ton, but luck seemed to be against the English­ men, for in attempting a short run Murdoch was run out for a well-played 15. (Three for 28.) On G. G. Hearne partnering the Derby­ shire player an entirely different aspect was put on the game, both players settling down. Runs did not come very fast, the vast number in the field not admitting any balls to get past them. At 49 Melville took the ball from Crage, and two runs later the luncheon bell rang* Chatterton not out 12, Hearne not out 11* Resuming at 2.5, Crage again bowled vice Melville, and runs came much faster than before lunch, both bowlers coming in for an equal amount of punishment. Cable, vice Parkin, was the order at 73, but runs still continued to come fast. At 97 Melville took the ball from Crage, but no separation could be made. Three singles from his first over sent up the century amid great applause. Hearne then opened his shoulders to one, hitting it well to the leg boundary. This was his last contribution, he being bowled with a “ beauty ” from Melville. The Kent player had played grand cricket for his 35, made without a chance, and at a time when matters were going very much against the Eleven. The wicket had put on 76runs. (Four for 104.) Brockwell came next, and commenced well by hitting Cadle for a single. Runs still coming fast thanks to some loose fielding, D. Parkin took the ball from Cadle. From his fourth ball the young Surrey player hit it right out of the ground for 6, a fine stroke. Soon after Pagden went on in place of Parkin, and soon brought about the desired effect, clean bowling Brockwell with a yorker for a well played 25, this wicket realising 45 runs. After an in­ terval of fifteen minutes for tea, Barton accompanied Chatterton. After making 7 “ Bombardier ” was caught square-leg, and Wood came in, hitting Pagden twice in one over out of the ground. The Surrey wicket­ keeper was well taken at extra mid-off for a dashing 15. Mr. J. J. Ferris, who filled the vacancy, was immediately afterwards caught by Britton. Martin followed, to see Chatterton hit Pagden over the ropes for 6. At 190 Gold­ smith was given a trial at Pagden’s end and A. Britton at Melville’s end. A single sent up 200 and 5 runs later Martin was easily run out for 8. The end was now not far distant, for on .Crage again going on he got Chatterton caught at point for an invaluable 72. He was at the wiclcets over three hours. His defence was excellent, and his off-driving in particular very good. The innings closed for 205. Of the seven bowlers tried, Melville had the best analysis. With only forty-five minutes left for play and 202 wanted to get to win, the twenty-two sent in L. Parkin and C. Britton, the attack being taken up by J. T. Hearne and Martin, In the latter’s first over Parkin was splendidly stumped by Wood—(1 for 0)— making way for Melville. At 11 Britton was out 1b w to Hearne, and from the same bowler’s third ball A. Britton had his middle stump upset. Play now ceased for the day, the score board showing 11—3—0. Tinan D ay — T uesday , J anuary 5. The weather was again fine, the wind that had been so troublesome for the last two days having abated considerably. Punctually to time Mr. W. Read led his men into the field, quickly followed by Melville and Parkin, J. T. Hearne clean bowling Parkin with his first delivery. Wickets went down quickly, J. T. being well amongst the sticks, and again on Mr. Ferris taking the ball from J. T., wickets even fell at a much faster rate, the Australian at one time having the splendid analysis of seven wickets for 6 runs. The innings was very soon over, the combined efforts of the Twenty-two only realising 92, England winning by 115 runs. Mr. J. J. Ferris came out with a splendid bowling analysis in the first innings, thirty-five overs, 4 runs, sixteen maidens, nine wickets. In the second innings it was a great deal better, showing fourteen overs, 13 runs, ten maidens, eight wickets. Martin bowled unchanged throughout the second innings, taking eight wickets for 48 runs. Special mention might be made of Wood’s wicket-keeping, and also the fielding of the Eleven. 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