Cricket 1893

APRIL 20, 1893 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD to# THE GAME, 69 On the other hand, I cannot recall the name of a single Lancashire cricketer that has ever played for another first- class county. 3. Literature. Lancashire County Cricket, full scores, etc., 1864 to 1880, by F. Reynolds, 1881. Record o f Lancashire County Matches from 1865 to 1881, published by Capleton and Co., 1882. Record o f Lancashire Cricket for 1881, ditto for 1882 ; published by Fletcher and Speight. Annual Record of Lancashire Cricket in 1886, by Lancastrian (published by T. Axon). And here let ma take the opportunity of expressing regret that so little has hitherto been done in the counties generally in the direction of cricket literature. O f course we have annuals like “ W isd en ,” and “ Lillywhite,” which record all matches played during each season. But something more is wanted. Of the writing of cricket books there is literally no end ; my own library numbers more than 700 different volumes, and yet out o f this imposing total it is surprising to note how very few are ex­ clusively devoted to county cricket. If we except Notts, no systematic record has been undertaken in any other county save Gloucestershire. In the case of the Western County, J. W . Arrowsmith, the well-known Bristol publisher, and an enthuiast in cricket, has year by year issued a two-penny volume containing full scores and analysis of all matches played by Gloucestershire. W h y should not all counties do the same ? I would not have this undertaken by a private individual or firm, but would, with becoming courtesy, press the matter upon the careful consideration o f each County Committee. We know as much of the history of cricket as we shall ever know now, and we have been told everything relating to the science of the game. There is no fresh ground to be explored. But it would be an immense gain everyway if we possessed in a handy form a full epitome o f the past doings o f each county. The cost would not be considerable, and a ready market awaits such a venture. I am inclined to think that these books have helped not a little to foster a passionate love of cricket in all Notts men and boys, which has resulted in a succession of professional bowlers and batsmen far in advance of those raised by any other county. It is not enough that, as in the case o f Surrey and Kent, a year book be issued for the benefit only of members of these county clubs. The crying need is for books that can be bought by everybody at a reason­ able figure. In 1888 a most praiseworthy book was completed and published by a member o f the Surrey Club, Mr. A. “ emtez de Lugo, called “ Surrey at the Wicket.” It was a complete record of all the matches played by the County Eleven since the formation of the Club, yearly general batting and bowling averages, with other information interesting to burrey cricketers. The author kindly sent me a cop y ; the book, large 8vo, °^pp, was printed in Madrid, and repre­ sents an immense ambunt of conscien­ tious hard work. It was privately given to the Surrey members. No scores were printed in full, simply summaries with averages and analysis. Now what I would dearly like the Surrey Club to do, is, to publish a book containing every match played by Surrey, from the earliest days up to date, i.e. first-class matches in full, second-class summarized only, and year by year the first-class averages and analysis. Now and again short, crisp remarks might be appended, along with a condensed biography of all county players. Then at the end, let us have a list of centuries scored for and against, highest and lowest innings against their several opponents, and various other items such as were noted in the article that dealt with “ Notts Cricket and Cricketers.” Let such a book— faultlessly accurate—be published at six shillings, and an edition of 5,000 copies would sell immediately. A year or so ago, I saw an announcement that W . H . Patterson was preparing a similar work on Kentish cricket. I trust the rumour will turn out to be correct. Anyhow, most of my cricket friends agree with me that it is high time the county clubs took this matter seriously to heart. BLA.CKHEATH CLUB. W hole D ay M atches . May 1—Blackheath, v. Blackheath F.C. May 6—Blackheath, v. W imbledon May 13—Beckenham, v. Beckenham May 20—Vincent Square, v. W estm inster School May 20—W oolwich, v. R. A. (W oolw ich) May 22—Blacbheath, v. Incogniti May 27—Blackheath, v. M.C.C. June 8—Blackheatb, v. Kensington Park June 7—Blackheath, v. R.N.C. June 10—W oolw ich, v. R.M.A. June 15—Blackheath, v. Crystal Palace June 17—Blackheath, v. Streatham June2 '— Sickley Park, v. Bickley Park June 3)—Blackheath, v. Oxford Authentics July 1—Blackheath, v. Beckenham July 5—Streatham. v. Streatham July 8—Blackheath, v. R.A. (W oolwich) July 15—B la ck h e a th ,H ick le y Park July 19—Lee (1 p.m.), v. Granville (Lee) July 22—Blackheath, v. Band of Brothers July 29—W im bledon, v. Y'im bledon July 31, August 1, 2—Blackheath, Kent v. York­ shire August 5—Crystal Palace, v. Crystal Palace August 7—Blackheath, v. Charlton Park September 2—Shoeburyness, v. R .l. (Shoebury- nesB) S econd XI. M atches . May 6—Teddington. v. Teddington May 13—Blackheath, v. R.N.C. May 20—Blackheath, v. Old Yverdonians May 27—W est W ickham , v. W est W ickham June 3—Charlton, v. Charlton Park June 10—Blackheath, v. Eltham June 17—Kensington Park, v. Kensington Park June 24—Catford, v. Bank of England July 1—Lee, v. N orthbrook Juty 8—Eltham, v. Eltham July 15—Bickley, v. Bickley Park July 22—Plaistow (1 p.m.), v. Plaistow July 29—Blackheath, v. W im bledon August 5—Blackheath, v. N orthbrook August 12—Blackheath, v. Plaistow' August 19—Blackheath, v. Forest Hill August 2'-’—Blackheath. v. W est W ickham September 9—Blackleatli, v. Granville (Lee) T hird XI. May 6—W im bledon, v. W im bledon May 20—Forest Hill, v. Forest Hill May 27-Chislehurst, v. Chis’ehurst June 1—Blackheath, v. Old 'trathedians June 3—Manor Way, v. Eliot Place June 10—M anor W ay, v. Blackheath School June 17—Engatestoue, v. Engatestone June 24—Blackheath. V. Bickley Park June 29—Blackheath, v. Cbislehurst July 1—Beckenham , v. Beckenham July 8—Eltham, v. R ojal Naval School July 12—Blackheath, v. Old Strathedians July 15—Manor W ay, v. Eliot Place July 22—SurbitoD, v. Surbiton CLAPTON CLUB. April 29—Clapton, Club m atch May 6—Clapton, v. Streatham May 13—Willesden, v. W illesden May 13—Clapton, v. Upton Park May 18—Clapton, v. St. Barts Hospital May 20—Clapton, v. Burlington Wanderers May 20—Buckhurst Hill, v. Buckhurst fiiil May 22—Clapton, v. Upper Clapton F.C. May 27-C lapton, v. Leyton May 27—Leyton, v. Leyton v2) •Tune 3—Tottenham, v. Tottenham June 3—Clapton, v. Tottenham (2) June 7 - Clapton, v. London Hospital June 10—Clapton, v. Wanstead •Tune 10—Hendon, v. Hendon June 14—Clapton, v. Middlesex Hcspiial June 17—Clapton, v. W ille den June 17—East M olesey, v. E ast M oleiey June 19—Clapton, v. Lower Clapton •June 20—Clapton, v. South Hampstead June 51—Clapton, v. Hampstead June 22—Clapton, v. Ilford June 23—Clapton, v. Highgate Bohemians June 24—Clapton, v. Cheshunt June 24—W oodford Wells, v. W oodford W ells June 29—Clapton, v. Brixton Wanderers July 1—Leyton, v. Leyton July 1—Clapton, v. Leyton (2) July 6—Clapton, v. Royal Artillery R.D.S.C.C. July 8—H am pstead, v. Hampstead July 8—Clapton, v. South Ham pstead July 12—Clapton, v. Luton Town July 15—H onor Oak, v. H onor Oak July 15—Clapton, v. H onor Oak (2) July 20-Ilfo rd , v. Ilford July 22—Clapton, v. Tottenham July 22—Tottenham, v. Tottenham (2) July 29—Clapton, v. Hornsey Juiy ifl—Cheshunt, v. Cheshunt Augnst 8—Brixton, v. Brixton Wanderers August 5—Clapton, v. Buckhurst Bill Augnst 7—Clapton, v. Islington Albion August 12—W anstead, v. Wanstead August 12—Clapton, v. Pallingswick August 16—Clapton, v. H onor Oak August 19—Hornsey, v. Hornsey August 19—Clapton, v. W oodford Wells August23 - Luton, v. Luton Town August 26—Streatham, v. Streatham August 26—Clapton, v. Holborn Spptember 2—Clapton, v. Hendon September 2—Acton, v. Pallingswick Septem ber R—Dulwich, v. Dulwich September 9—Clapton, Married v. Single N O R T H B R O O K C L U B . April 29—Opening Match May 6—Dulwich, v. Dulwich May 6*—Lee, v. Dulwich May 13—Lee, v. Croydon May 13' —Croydon, v. Croydon May 2J—H am pton Wick, v. H am pton W ick May 20*—Lee, v. Bexley May 22—Eltham, v. Eltham May 22*—Lee, v. L. N. Newman's Team May 27—Lee, v. Norwood May 27*—Norwood, v. Norwood June 3 —Leyton, v. Leyton June 3*—Lee. v. Leyton June l r—Catford, v. Bank of England June 10*—Sheerness, v. Sheppy United June 17—Lee, v. Hornsey June 17*—New Eltham, v. South Eastern Rail­ way June 24—Purley, v. Cane H ill Asylum June 24*—Bexley, v. Bexley June 27,28*—Lee, v. Parr’s Alliance Bank July 1—Lee, v. Blackheath July 8—Lee, v. Leyton July 8*—Leyton, v. Leyton July 15—Bromley, v. Brom ley July 15*—Lee. v. Brom ley July 22—Hornsey, v. H ornsey July 22*—Catford, v. Panther T he W e e k . July 24—Lee, v. Plaistow July 25—Lee, v. M.C.C. July 26—Lee, v. Hampton W ick July 27, 28—Lee, v. Erratics July 29—Lee, v. Burlington Wanderers July 29*—H am pton Wick. v. H am pton W ick Aug. 2, 3*—Lee, v. Parr’s Alliance Bank Aug. 5—Blackheath, v. Blackheath Aug. 5*—Lee, v. South Eastern Railway Aug. 7 - Lee, v. Eltham Aug. 12—Lee, v. Burlington Wanderers Aug. 12 *—Catford. v. Panthar Aug. 17—Mr. Marks’ Team v. Mr. It gram’s Te: rn (Members’ Sons) Aug. T9—N orw ood, v. N orwood Aug. 19*—Lee, v. Norwood A u:. 26—Lee, v. Dulwich Aug, 26*—Dulwich, v. Dulwich Sept. P—Addi-com be, v. Addiscom te Sept. 2*—Lee. v. Addiscom be Sept. 9—Croydon, v. C rojdon Sept. 9*—Lee, v. Croydon Sept, 16—Lee, 1st XI. v next XVI. ♦2nd Team Matches.