Cricket 1896

18 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. F e b . 27, 1896. C ould hide his break. He came out in this second innings with eight wickets for 93, off 237 balls, and though these figures are simply grand, it has to be noted that McKibbin bowled throughout with hard luck. Every Victorian batsman to whom I Bpoke testifies to the difficulty experienced in negotiating McKibbin’s deliveries, and, indeed, it was easy to see that he stuck them up time after time. On a slow wicket, where the breaking ball would not make pace from the pitch, McKibbin would not be so difficult to play. I congratulate him heartily on his splendid performance, and I may say that it is a genuinepleasure toseesuchaquiet,genial,com­ panionable, and uuassuming young cricketer making his mark in such a remarkably promising way, that there is every reason to hope we have in him a worthy successor to the fine bowlers whose skill and success made the cricket world of all England ring with the name of Australia in years bygone.” What success is in store for him on English wickets rests, of course, with himself. One thing is certain that he has in him all the elements essential to the makiDg of a really good bowler. In any case he comes to England with the double advantage of a high reputation as well as a good name. That he is a tryer may be taken for granted. Of one thing he may be certain that all cricketers in the old country will be only too gratified should he prove to be the equal of the best bowlers Australia has sent to compete with English teams. Thomas Robert McKibbin, it may be of interest to add, was born at Bathurst (N.S.W.), on December 20th, 1870, so that he has just completed his twenty- fifth year. Bathurst is also the native town of one of the very greatest of Australian bowlers, Charles Thomas Biass Turner to wit. D E R B Y S H IR E COUNTY C.C. The report presented to the annual meeting of the members of the above club, held on Friday last, was of a very gratifying character. The Committee ex­ pressed their gratification at last season’s results, which both from a cricket and financial point of view showed a marked improvement on previous years. The annual subscriptions still further in­ creased from £529 in 1894 to £637 in 1895, while the gate money rose from £418 in 1894 to £663 in 1895. This in­ crease was largely due to Derbyshire playing two more home and home county matches in 1895, a single match with the South Africans taking their place in 1894. The season’s working shows a profit of £12 5s. 3d., and instead of start­ ing the new season with a debt to the bank of £182 13s. 3d. as in 1895, there was a cash balance at the bank of £29 4s. 8d. Whilst congratulating the subscribers on this improvement the Committee appeal for further additions to the subscription list, as there was a balance against the club of £46 5s. 8d. on the old debt, and one of £50 Os. lOd. on the balcony extension account. The report proceeds to refer to the success which attended the efforts of the Derby­ shire eleven last season, and their grati­ tude to Mr. Evershed and the men under his command for their unvarying energy, perseverance, and determination to carry all before them, Whilst regretting the unsportsmanlike action of certain League clubs in refusing to let players off for county'matches, the Committee state that they have reason for believing that in 1896 this difficulty will be avoided. The Committee deplore the loss they have sustained through the death of Mr. G. H. Strutt, one of their most generous patrons, who had left the club a legacy of £200 With this sum the Committee proposed to erect a new stand on the town side of the pavilion to be called the “ Strutt Memorial Stand.” Another stand capable of accommodating 1,000 people will be erected opposite the pavilkn. The report was adopted, after which Mr. S. H. Evershed moved the re-election of Mr. Boden as president, and said his position as captain had been much strengthened by having a man like Mr. Boden at all their matches, to whom he could always turn for advice. The club never had a better president. The reso­ lution was carried, after which the retiring vice-presidents were re-elected, with the addition of Messrs. Curgenven, Percy Wallis, and Geoffrey Drage, M.P. Messrs. T. C. Eistwood, S. H. Evershed, Arthur Gamble, and J. N. Woodiwiss were re-elected on the committee, and Mr. Tom Wright, of Darley Dale, was also added. The chairman moved an alteration of the rules, providiog that in future half guinea tickets should not entitle the hol­ der to admission to the pavilion, but in­ stead to the new stand about to bo erected by the side of the pavilion. He said that there was no other ground in England where admission could be obtained to the pavilion for a smaller subsciiption than one guinea. The alteration was approved. A letter was read from Walter Sugg applying for a benefit in 1897. The cnairman paid a warm tribute to Sugg’s general behaviour and character, and the resolution was cordially adopted. The proceedings closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, who in reply urged everyone to obtain as many fresh subscribers as possible. Mr. Gamble, a committee man, announced twenty- eight new subscribers, all Burton gentle­ men, headed by the Mayor, who were moved by sincere admiration for their townsman, Mr. Evershed. WEST HER TS CLUB & GROUND . The fifth annual general meeting was held at the Bose and Crown Hotel, Wat­ ford, on Tuesday week, under the presi­ dency of the Earl of Clarendon. The hon. sec. (Mr. C. B. Humbert) produced the accounts for the past year, which showed receipts amounting to £1034 14s., expenditure £1098 14s. 5d. The loss of £64 0s. 5d. was greatly accounted by the athletic meeting on the August Bank Holiday. The general balance sheet showed a debt amounting to £1328 9s. £T ISSUE, THURSDAY, MARCH After a little discussion the accounts were adopted. A long argument followed as to the best means of reducing or wiping off this debt, and eventually the following resolution was proposed by Professor Attfield, and unanimously carried, v iz.: “ That the public of West Herts be asked for further donations to the West Herts Club and Ground in order to defray the outstanding debt on the initial expenses of the ground, the subscription list to remain open for three months.” Univer­ sal satisfaction was expressed, and the sum of £160 was promised by the mem­ bers present, so that an excellent start was made, and we hope that by the end of the stipulated time the total will be subscribed. A committee of twelve was then elected, and the auditors were re­ elected. Hearty votes of thanks was tendered to the hon. sec., and the chair­ man closed the proceedings. GRANVILLE (LEE) CLUB. FIXTURES FOR 1896. April 25. Lee, Opening Match Sept. 12. Lee, Tourists v. Eest FIRST XI. May 2. Blackheath, v. Blackheath May 6. Croydon, v. Croydcn May 9. Lee, v. Charlton Park May 13. Woolwich, v. Royal Artillery May 16. Lee, v. Plaistow May 23. Lee, v. Crystal Palace May *25. (Whit Monday) Bickley, v. Bickley Park May 30. Lee, v. Hampstead June 6. Eltham, v. Eltham June 10. Lee, v. Croydon June 13. Lee, v. Whitgift Wanderers June 15 & 16. Lee, v. London and Westminster Bank June 17. Maidenhead, v. Philberds June 20. Lee, v. Burlington Wanderers June 22. Lee, v. Royal Artillery June 23. Lee, v. Wanderers June 24. Lee, v. Blue Mantles June 25.* Lee, v. M.C.C. June 26. Maidstone, v. Mote Park June 27. Lee, v. Hornsey July 2. Lee, v. Eltham July 4. Charlton Park, v. Charlton Park July 8. Tunbridge Wells, v. Blue Mantles July 11. Hornsey, v. Hornsey July 16. Crystal Palace, v. Crystal Palace July 18. Norwood, v. Norwood July 25. Hampstead, v. Hampstead July 29. Beckenham, v. Beckenham A.ig. 1. Lee, v. Blackheath Aug. 3. Lee, v. Lesness Park Aug. 6. Leatherhead, v. Leatherhead Aug. 8. Lee, v. Bromley Aug. 22. Plaistow, v. Plaistow Aug. 29. Lee, v. Norwood Sept. 5. Open * Ground Men’s Benefit Match. “ A ” TEAM. May 2. Lee, v. Guy’s Hospital 2nd XI. May 9. Charlton Park, v. Charlton Park 2nd X I. May 16. Bexley, v, Bexley May 23. Guy’s, v. Guy’s Hospital 2nd X I. May 25. (Whit Monday) Lee, v. Sidcup May 30. Catford, v. St. Dunstan’s College May 30. Manor Way, v. Blackheath Prop. School June 1 & 2. Lee, v. Audley House School June 6. Lee, v. Croydon 2nd XI. June 6. Beckenham Hill, v. City of London School June 13. Manor Way, v. Mr. Escombe’s XI. June 13. Orpington, v. Goddington June 20. Croydon, v. Croydon 2nd XI. June 20. Manor Way, v. Mr. Escombe’s X I. June 27. Catford, v. St. Dunstan’s College ; June 27. Beckenham Hill, v. City of London School July 4. Lee, v. Charlton Park 2nd XI. July 4. Catford, v. Panther Club July 11. Sidcup, v. Sidcup 2nd XI. July 11. Lee, v. Blackheath Proprietary School July 18. Lee, v. Bexley July 18. Bexley, v. Bexley 2nd XI. July 23 & 24. Lee. v. Audley House School July 25. Lee, v. Norwood 2nd XI. Aug. 1. Manor Way, v. Old Blackheathens Aug. 3. Sidcup, v. Sidcup Aug. 15. Lee, v. Charlton Park 2nd X I. Aug. 22. Lee, v. Wickham Park F.C. Aug. 29. Manor Way, v. Mr. Escombe’s XI. Sept. 5. Lee, v. Panther Club The Sussex Tour in August as usual.