Cricket 1896

A p r i l 30, 1896. CRICKET: A ’WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 107 S in ce 1884 he has had a distinguished career as a soldier. Serving in the Eastern Soudan ^Campaign, he was present at the battles of El Teb and Tamai, and later in the same year took part in the Nile Ex­ pedition as aide-de-camp to Sir Herbert Stewart, another excellent cricketer, by the way. Present at the actions of Abu Klea and El Gubat, he had a horse shot under him in the latter engagement. Subsequently he was chief of the staff to Sir Gerald Portal on his Uganda Mission, and after acting for a time as adminis­ trator in Matabeleland and Mashonaland during Dr. Jameson’s visit to Europe, he settled in Johannesburg as one of the managing directors of the Consolidated Gold Fields of South Africa Company in succession to his brother, Captain Rhodes. I f the information of the Oape corres­ pondent of the “ Sporting Life” is correct, George Lohmann intends to sail for England on Wednesday next. According to all reports, he is in excellent fettle, and every one will hope to see him in his very best form in English cricket this summer. I t can hardly be said of the Cape Town C.C., at all events, that it takes its pleasures sadly, as far as cricket is con­ cerned. Eifty-eight matches represent a pretty heavy programme, and the club had a really good time of it, only losing two, and both of those second team matches, of these fifty-eight fixtures. Young Street, the Surrey cricketer, too, had no reason to be disappointed with his first visit to South Africa. His record of 1,004 runs may have been beaten at the Cape, but none the less, it is a good performance. In addition, as will be seen, he took sixty wickets, so that, as an all-round cricketer, his engagement was a success for the Cape Town C.C. By the way, I was hardly up to date last week, in connection with this same player. He was not only engaged, but married, when I wrote last week. A son of old Jim Street, he comes of a good cricket stock, so that he will have the best wishes of Cricket readers. Th e veteran Australian cricketer, H. E. Boyle, seems to have had a rather charmed life of it just lately, if the accounts in the Colonial papers, just to hand, are to be relied on. When the Pearl left on that last sad, ill-fated trip across the Brisbane River, the veteranwas one of thosewho ran to get on board. By the time he got up, the vessel had swung clear, so that after all, he did not take the trip. He has thanked his stars many a time since. In a severe thunderstorm recently, he was touched by lightning on the right arm, and now, at every change of weather, he “ feels ” the arm. Cricket readers will be delighted to hear that that one of the very best cricketers Australia has ever sent to England, is still alive and kicking. T he Melbourne Club, as a rule, does things well, and it is pleasant to find it is upholding its reputation in taking the lead to recognise the brilliant services of the prince of wicket-keepers—J. M. Biackham—has done to cricket. At a meeting held on the 13th of last month, the committee decided to start the testi­ monial with the handsome sum of fifty guineas. No cricketer has deserved better of Australians, and to quote “ Felix,” “ one can only hope that the response by the cricket public of Australia will be commen­ surate with the desertsof the famous 1keeper, ’ who for 21 years occupied a unique position in the cricket world. It was he, indeed, who changed the diagram of the cricket field by banishing the long-stop, fairly electrifying the old folks at home by the consummate ease, grace, and skill with which he took Spofforth’s fastest cannon shots on the classic fields of England.” I f a good start may be taken as an augury of ultimate success, H. H. B. Hawkins’s excellent all round cricket in the Trinity Freshmen’s match should be of fortune to him in Cambridge cricket this season. At all events, his record on Monday and Tuesday was good enough, showing, as it did, scores of 10 and 103 not out, out of 181 for six wickets, and in addition five of the ten wickets in the first innings of Mr. Bray’s Eleven. Hawkins, I may add, bore with V. F. S. Crawford the brunt of the cricket for Whitgift Grammar School last season, and Mr. W. T. Graburn looks on him as one of the most promising young cricketers he has for Surrey. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A. W. A u m itstk ad . —You are quite right. See “ Pavilion Gossip.” SU R R E Y COUNTY CR ICKET CLUB. In forwarding the statement of accounts for the past year, your Committee are glad to be able to report that the position of the club is in every way satisfactory. The accounts show a favourable balance as the result of the season. The matches were generally well attended, and the interest in county cricket fully maintained throughout. For the first time since 1866, Surrey played England. This match was arranged as a testimonial to Mr. W.W. Read, in recognition of his long and valuable service to Surrey cricket. In additionto the receipts, as shown, a sum of £125 15s. wassubscribed by members. The proceeds of the Yorkshire match were given to Robert Abel, who has served the county faithfully for fifteen years. Not­ withstanding the continuous rain on the second day, your Committee are pleased to bo able to report that the result was satisfactory. A sum of £134 3s. 6d. was subscribed by members. The Eleven who again secured the highest honours of first-class county cricket, took part, altogether, in twenty-eight matches, of which eighteen were won, five drawn, and five lost. The Second Eleven, for the third successive season, were unbeaten, a gratifying sign that there is in the county a good supply of young players in reserve. Home and home matches have been arranged for the coming season with Derby­ shire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Notts, Somersetshire, Sussex, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, and Oxford University, as well as one between Gentlemen v. Players. The Australian team will play at the Oval three times, twice v. Surrey, and once against England. The Yorkshire match at the Oval will be for the benefit of G. Lohmann, who reappeared in the Surrey Eleven last summer, after two years absence. Under the provisions of Rule XIII., the Committee will announce at the Annual General meeting that the privilege of the members to introduce a friend into the Pavillion will be suspended on the occasion of the matches between Gentlemen and Players, Surrey and Notts, and in the three Australian matches. Your Committee have to report with deep regret the death of their colleague, Mr. W. S. Trollope, for many years closely identified with Surrey cricket. Under Rule XV., the vacancy on ths Committee was filled up by the election of Mr. G. H. Longman. The following members of the Committee retire by rotation, and are eligible for re- election :—Lt.- Col. A. II. Bircham, J. Burrup, Esq., R. K. Causton, Esq., M.P., R. Roberts, Esq., W. E. Roller, Esq., J. Shuter, Esq., and T. Winterflood, Esq. The following has been duly nominated in accordance with the rules, for submission to the general meeting, as a candidate for the Commi t teeA. M. Latham, 3, King’s Bench Walk, Temple. The members of the Australian team, now in England, will be the guests of the club at a dinner to be held at the Oval, on May 1st at 7 p.m. Members desirous of attending will please communicate with the secretary before the 28th inst. Tickets will be one guinea, inclusive of wine. The annual general meeting will be held in the Pavilion, on Thursday, May 7th, at 5 p.m. The match expenses and receipts were as follows :— MATCH RECEIPTS (Cricket)— £ s. d. Derbyshire..................................................... 169 0 6 Essex .......... ........................ ................ 175 7 0 Gloucestershire ................. ............... 480 14 6 Hampshire..................................................... 398 14 0 Kent ............................................................ 653 14 6 Lancashire..................................................... 424 17 0 Leicestershire .............................................. 137 15 6 Middlesex..................................................... 589 14 6 Nottinghamshire ....................................... 850 1 6 Somersetshire .............................................. 259 16 0 Sussex............................................................ 213 17 6 Warwickshire .......................................................9010 6 Yorkshire (Abel’s Benefit) ......................... 661 19 6 Gentlemen v. Players ............................... 673 14 0 Cambridge University ............................... 292 10 6 Surrey v. England (Mr. W . W . Read’s Testimonial Matcn)............................... 843 18- 6 2nd XI., Club and Ground and Colts Matches ............................................. 129 12 6 Stands........................................................... 1,150 3 0 8,596 MATCH RECEIPTS (Football) .......... 233 MATCH EXPENSES (Cricket)— £ Derbyshire.................................................... 185 Essex ........................................................... 175 Gloucestershire............................................. 180 Hampshire.................................................... 204 Kent ........................................................... 173 Lancashire.................................................... 164 Leicestershire ............................................. 163 Middlesex.................................................... 171 Nottinghamshire ...................................... 206 Somersetshire ............................................. 180 Sussex........................................................... 171 Warwickshire ............................................. 164 Yorkshire .................................................... 175 Do. (Abel’sBenefit), (Abel’s Share of Gate) ............................................. 486 Gentlemen v. Players ........................ ... 156 Cambridge University .......... ................. 148 Surrey v. England........................................ 140 Do. (Mr. W. W . Read’s Share of Gate) ............................................. 703 2nd XI., Club and Ground and Colts Matches ............................................. 982 Luncheons and Refreshments ................. 320 Balls, Gloves and Caps............................... 56 Sundnes .................................................... 60 1 0 11 6 s. d. 19 6 4 0 5 3 0 9 9 0 19 9 14 5 16 6 16 8 19 2 4 0 1 5 11 0 7 6 0 1 15 5 1 2 1 6 MATCH EXPENSES (Football) 5,372 7 2 .. 166 13 2