Cricket 1892

“ Together joined in cricket’s manly toil.5’— Byron, N o. 310 VOL. X I. Registered lor Transmission Abroad. THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1892. PR ICE 2d. CRICKET NOTCHES. B y t h e R ev . R . S . H olm es. Ruralising in North Wales, and with no cricket literature whatever to hand, these notches want a lot of making. For somehow or other cricket and the Principality have never struck up a partnership. Tennis is met here and there, but in none of the villages does one see so much as the rudimentary bat or ball, nor do the youthful “ Taffies” appear to have the faintest idea of the existence of such luxuries as stumps. It is very sad. England has evidently a mission to fulfil in this direction. “ Home Rule for W alesI” give it cricket: that would prove a far more useful bestowment. True, I did see that Llandudno had the courage last week to throw down the gauntlet to the Gentlemen of Cheshire ; but there was too English a look about the names of the former team ; there wasn’t a Jones, or a Griffiths, or an Evans, or a Lewis in it, so you may be certain that Welshmen were not represented on that occasion. Out Llanfairfechan way there is a famous club, run by Mr. Sidney Platt, of Lancashire. He has a perfect ground at his well-known country seat, Brynn-y-neuadd, and many a capital match is played there, especially when the Incogniti come along on their annual tour. And what royal hospitality is extended to all visitors. Refreshments ad lib. are served for all who choose to partake of them. Bangor and Carnarvon may also boast of clubs, but for all that Wales is almost entirely innocent of the pleasures and excite­ ments of cricket. The great fight is over, and those not present may gratefully acknowledge the fulness of the . details as set forth in the daily press. In con­ sequence, there is no need to repeat a twice- told tale, though it is a trifle rough not to leave a nibbling anywhere for such a scribe as myself. The crowds we will pass by; they are not to my taste at any time, fashionable though crowd-movements have become in all departments. To be packed like herrings is not my idea of bliss; I want elbow-room to be perfectly happy even in a cricket field. But tastes differ, as I daresay the Surrey treasurer would be the first to insist. But wouldn’t the cricketers themselves endorse my judgment ? In the unhealthy, feverish atmosphere gener­ ated by crowds, cool heads and steady nerves are just impossible in the chief actors. How else account for Walter Read’s insane sacrifice of his own valuable wicket, when one run, more or less, was of an appreci­ able value to his side ? Old hands like him are not thus caught napping, unless they have lost their heads first of all. Run as hard as you oan when anything is to be gained, but never, under any oircumstances, throw away either your own or your partner’s wicket for the sake of a run. Abel’s run out was a trifle less censurable, for a brilliant piece of fielding sent him back to the dressing room. The scoring all-round was only moderate, Gunn’s 58 being tho “ leger.” That stand of his with Barnes on the Tuesday evening, when they put on 94 runs, placed the result almost beyond doubt. Shrewsbury and Gunn were both bowled by balls they did not attempt to play. Serve them right. If I am not mis­ taken, Gunn was out in the same way in the Surrey match at Trent Bridge last year. I hope they will be out ever so many more times, as long as they will not attempt to play many an off-ball. It was only recently that I expressed a hope to Richard Daft, that another Arthur Appleby would arise, and would send down ball after ball that came in a foot from the off. Gunn, as usual, was con­ spicuous with that leg trick of his, though for once it was not in the direct line between the ball and his wicket. That is not cricket, and is quite unworthy of a batsman of such super­ lative skill. For one reason I am thankful that he and others play with their pads instead of their bats, inasmuch as the law re­ lating to “ Ibw ” must before long be considerably modified. And not before it should be. As it at present stands, no bowler who bowls round the wicket can possibly get a batsman out “ leg before wicket,” for the law states explicitly that the ball must be pitched in a straight line from the bowler’s wicket to the striker’ s ; in many cases the ball is delivered at least three feet wide of the wicket. I would simplify matters in this way— let’s have no saving.clauses, but one broad rule to the effect that any ball, whether pitched on the wicket or off it, which in the umpire’s opinion would have hit the wicket, if stopped by the batsman’s leg, shall be fatal to him. This would enable bowlers to profit by their cleverest balls, which are those that break the mo^Ji either from the one side or the other. As the law now stands, the best balls of such a bowler as Briggs are quite harmless That the better side, on this year’s showing, wonj I have no manner of doubt. The most ardent Surreyite could not have been too elated before the match began; as he might have been last year. Notts have been doing grandly all the year. Yet it is very funny to recall sundry criticisms of Notts cricket, both t the close of last season and at the opening if this. Were we not gravely informed on all ides that Notts would have to find some fresh bowlers of the I.C. Shaw and Morley type before they could expect to stand high again among the Counties ? And here’s the same team as last year putting all opponents to the rout. One lesson the executive of Notts may take to heart, and it is this: don’t be quite so premature in future in putting a man back because of a run of ill success. Harry Daft got in only because C. W. Wright virtually insisted on i t ; and he helped largely to win this match by his batting, whilst in the field he was, as usual, second to none. And waB not Shacklook shelved early in the season ? At any rate his name was missing more than once. Yet he had more to do with the double victory over Surrey than any other Notts man, for in both matches he took just twenty wickets, and in other recent contests he has proved more valuable with the ball than even Attewell, whilst with the bat he is always useful. Say what we will, Surrey are not quite so strong this year; Walter Read and Lockwood are the exception. When I learned that Loh­ mann was encased in plaisters last week, and that W ood’s hands prevented him playing. I said “ It’s all up with Surrey.” Not enough has been made out of Wood’s absence ; he is a tip-top stumper, and, in my judgment, a keeper of his ability is as valuable as a first- class bat or bowlor, if not more so. Surrey have a fairly good second string “ behind the sticks,” but, from what I have seen, itisa b ig drop from Wood to A. F. Clarke, and es­ pecially in a match where experience and nerve are of indispensable worth, I have been wondering whether this matoh might not next year, and every alternate year, be played at Trent Bridge. Would the change help the Notts exohequer ? It might: it might not. It would, doubtless, supposing the same intense interest were always excited by it. But what if either county had had a run of provoking failures up to August? There wouldn’t be a rush for the gate in that case. In that respect theWhitsuntide contest may, in the general way, be the bigger draw. Anyhow there were over 22,000 at Trent Bridge in June, and a sum of ±'602 went into the Notts funds. A dismal contrast, I admit, to last week’s balance B heet. But what about the average matohes played at Nottingham and at Kennington respectively ? No—only such crowds are possible in London—and, magno intervallo, Manchester. Leave well alone then, men of Notts. Why, some malign soribbler has stated that you will only play at the Oval again on condition that you take a fair proportion of the receipts. I won’t believe you said or intended anything of the sort, any more than I will believe that you won’t in future play at Bramall Lane, because the crowd there is so wanting in good manners. If you ever should fall so low as your enemies have pictured you, then I hope that in the interestsJof|sport, you will be “ sent to Coventry,” until you have come back to your senses. I wanted to see some cricket on Bank Holiday, and thought a quiet day at Manchester would be the very thing. Oh, ye gods! Nearly as big a crowd as at the Oval. I