Cricket 1896

“ Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. no. 4 i8 . v o l. xv. THURSDAY, MAY 14, 189G. p r ic e 2 d. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. L t .-C o l . N . WILLOUGHBY WALLACE. After playing for Hampshire in 1859, Colonel Wallace, who is now one of the vice-presidents of the County Club, went to India, but returned in the following year to again play for Hampshire. The exi­ gencies of the service (which he entered in 1858 as an officer of the K ing’s Royal Rifles— the old 60th Regi­ ment) prevented him from playing regular­ ly in county matches, as he was afterwards quartered at Malta and in Canada and Nova Scotia. He, however, played for G lou cestersh ire in 1871. While he was in Canada, he took a prominent part in arranging for the first visit of the first Gen­ tlemen of England team in 1870 ; he also took a Military team from Canada to the United States, and organised a cricket tournament at Hali­ fax (Nova Sc >tia) in 1874. In 1875 he took another Military team to Philadelphia to play in the tourna­ ment there. During his r e s id e n c e in Canada he served in the famous Red River E x p e d it io n under Lord Wolseley (then Sir Garnet). Besides being a sound bat and con­ sistent scorer, the Colonel was a bril­ liant field at long leg and cover—the posi­ tion in which most celebrated fielders of former days gained teams, where the cricket was of the strictest kind. H e is a member of M .C.C., I Zingari, Free Foresters, IncogQiti, and Hampshire Hogs, and is a J.P. for the County of Southampton. Colonel Wallace was born at Halifax (N ova Scotia) on April 20th. 1839, and he must be almost the oldest cricketer in England who still plays what may be described as ‘ ‘ first- class second - class cricket.” He has played cricket for forty years. “ When I played cricket for Gloucestershire,” he said, “ W. G. was about 18 or 19. I am about the same age as E. M., but I am not quite sure whether he is a year older or younger. It is a little odd that you are interviewing me for Cricket on my birthday.” “ What clubs do you play for now ? ” “ I have not played cricket for the iast two years, but I shall probably take it up again iu the com ing season. Before that (after I left the Ser­ vice) I played for the United Service Clnb, P o r tsm o u th , th e Green Jackets, and 1>cal clubs in Hamp­ shire.” “ Is there any special qualification for admission to the Greei: Jackets C lu b ?” “ It is composed of past and present members of the 60th and Rifle Brigade. I organised the club about tea years ago, and until this year I have l>;eu honorary their reputation. In his early years he bowled lobs, and once at Lord’s, for South Wales against M.C.C., did the hat trick with them. For several years he played for Colonel (now General) Marshall’s X V I. at Godalming, and for Mr. Y . E. Walker’s X V I. at Southgate, against professional 1.IEUT.-COLONEL N. W1LLOUG1IBY WALLACE. From a Photo by H. \V. Salmon , lligh Street, lVinchjster.