Cricket 1896

90 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A pril 23, 1896. (Sheffield United), who will be aided by Tunnieliffe and Wainwright when first- class cricket permits), Peate (Skipton), H . Hearne, a brother of J. T. (Keighley), and Ar.derson, the Durham fast bowler (Keighley). Peate will also play for Leeds when he is not playing for Skipton, and Chatterton and Wainwright are registered in the West Riding League. D u r in g a match between the Wan­ derers and I Zingari in Natal, the captain of I Zingari caught dengue fever and had to retire. Before the game was over the captain of the Wanderers also had to retire for the same unpleasant reason. G e o b u e P a n t e r , who died at Earl Shilton, on Sunday last, was, some thirty years ago, quite one of the best cricketers in Leicestershire. Long before the County Club was organised, he had made a reputation as an all-round player considerably above the average. As early as 1862, his name figures on the records of the game, as one of the Colts of the North against the Colts of the South. His career, too, was a lengthy one, as he did good service for Leicestershire on the formation of the County Club, notably against the earlier Australian teams. He was subsequently selected as one of the umpires for County matches, in which position he acquitted himself with credit. Latterly he had acted as ground man for the Leicestershire C.C.C. He was in his fifty-ninth year. O f f ic ia l intimation has been given that the Cambridge University authorities have just made alterations in their programme, changing the match against Mr. A. J. Webbe’s Eleven, at Cambridge, from May 21 to May 24, and that with M.C.C., at Cambridge, from May 18 to June 15, at Cambridge. As this, apparently, leaves May 18, 19, and 20 open for the University Eleven, it might be worth while to note that the Aus­ tralians will be playing at the Crystal Palace then. It would, it goes without saying, give great satisfaction to the Australian team, as well as to the cricket public, if it could in any way be arranged for Cambridge to oppose the Australians at the Palace on the day named. T h e announcement that the Prince of Wales has definitely accepted the invita­ tion of Lord Sheffield to be present at Sheffield Park during the match between the Australian team and his eleven will be received wtih the greatest satisfaction everywhere. The Prince has always taken a keen interest in the game, and in this case his presence will be a compli­ ment to both English and Australian cricket. The Australian team in particular will have reason to be gratified that their tour opens under such distinguished auspices. The Prince intends to visit Sheffield Park on May 11, which is the first day of the Australians’ opening fixture. T h e Sheffield Challenge Shield, the trophy given by the Earl of Sheffield for competition in Intercolonial matches in Australia has passed into the custody of New South Wales as the outcome of the season just over. And a right good win it has been, too, will be the general verdict. Figures can be made to prove anything, it is said, but the statistics of the six contests in 1895-6 for the shield show the superiority of the New South Wales eleven at every point. They have not only commanded but, in addition, thoroughly deserved their success. S coring L ist . Colony. N.S.W. Vic. S.A. Won. Lost. N.S.W. .. — ... 1 0 ... 1 1 ... 3 ... 1 Vic............ 0 1 ... —... 1 0 ... 2 ... 2 S.A. ... 0 0 ... 0 1 ... — ... 1 .. 3 A ggregate A verages . Huns Wckts. Buns Wckts.Oppt’s Colony, made. lost. Aver, against, lost. aver. N.S.W.... 2181 ... 61 ... 35-76 ... 2027 ... 76 ... 26'67 Vie. ... 1898 ... 76 ... 24-97 ... 1952 ... 70 ... 27 88 S.A. ... 1578 ... 70 ... 22-54 ... 1678 ... 61 ... 27’50 M obe than one name familiar as a household word in cricket is conspicuous by its absence from the list of umpires selected to officiate in first-class connty matches in 1896. The fortunate twenty- four selected by the representatives of the leading county clubs, which I take to be the captains, at their meeting at Lord’s on Monday to act for this season, were:—R. G. Barlow, A. Chester, W. Clarke, W. P. Collishaw, H. Draper, G. Hay, W. Hearn, J. Hide, L. Hall, W. Humphreys, H. Holmes, J. Littlewood, J. Lillywhite, J. Platts, G. H. Remnant, W. Shrewsbury, M. Sherwin, A. P. Smith, Y. A. Titchmarsh, R. Thoms, J. J. Tuck, W. A. J. West, J. Wheeler, and W. A. Woof. Carpenter, Street, Ulyett, and Veitch occur to me at the moment among the umpires of 1895 who have dropped out this year. A B o h e m ia n concert is to be held at the St. James Hall on Wednesday the 29th inst., in aid of the funds of the Stoics C.C. A very first-class entertain­ ment has been arranged, and tickets (single, 2s. 6d., or double, admitting lady and gentleman, 4s.) may be had either of P. Gordon, 11, Minford Gardens Mansions, W., or of Arthur W. Eammell, Hon. Sec., The Perns, Hermon Hill, Snaresbrook. T he services of Louis Hall have been engaged for a short time by the Leicester­ shire county committee to coach young players, and John Wheeler is to succeed him. After the colts’ test matches last season, five of the most promising young players were engaged by the committee, and three more are having another trial. Already a test match has been played this season, and although no very promising cricket was shown, it was hardly to be expected that the men could have done themselves justice without practice. F ob some days past Maurice Bead and Abel have been engaged at the] Essex County ground at Leyton, in coaching some of the promising young players of the county. M r . H a r r y M u s g r o v e , the manager of the Ninth Australian Team, arrived at the Tavistock Hotel on Monday evening, having utilised the opportunity to break his journey from Naples with a short stay in Paris. However some of the rest of the tourists may have stood the trip, the manager’s appearance shows that he, at least, has derived benefit from the voyage “ home.” A capital 'portrait of M r. Musgrove, by the way, appeared in the “ Sketch” a few weeks ago. Cricket readers may, however, be satisfied that our interviewer, Mr. W. A. Bettesworth, the old Sussex cricketer, has the manager in his eye for an early number. T h e annual general meeting of the Marylebone Club is to be held at Lord’s as usual on the first Wednesday, this year the 6th, of May. The Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Harris, the retiring president, and Messrs. H . Philipson and A. J. Webbe have been duly nominated to fill the vacancies on the committee, in place of Messrs. M. Turner, H. T. Hewett, A. N. Hornby, and Y. E. Walker who retire by rotation, and are not eligible for re- election. The Anniversary Dinner, according to custom, takes place the same evening in the dining room at Lord’s at seven o’clock. F. E. S m it h and A. E. Street reached England safely from Cape Town on Mon­ day, and the former made his way at once to the S u rrey Ground with a view to a little practice. Street did not come up to London direct, having stopped at Wimble­ don on the way, it is reported, having an early match this time, a matrimonial one, in his eye. Smith, who looks the picture of blooming health, was, it g o e s without saying, only too glad at the opportunity of getting what he had not had for some months, a little cricket on a turf pitch. After a long monotonous course of mat­ ting, the grass wicket must be grateful and comforting to a degree. T h e report and balance sheet presented by the committee at the annual general meeting of the Sussex C.C.C. were unanimously adopted. The new vice- president is Mr. Harben, who succeeds Sir Julian Goldsmid. After a vote of thanks to Mr. W. G. Ashley, the honorary treasurer, the chairman announced that it had been decided to increase the salary of the secretary, Mr. W. Newham. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. A rthur A. P ugh (Durban, Natal).—The law is clear. A ;bowler must have one foot behindthebowling crease, andwithinthereturn crease. He could put the other on the boundary if he could reach it. A . W. A rm istead — It was pointed out that there were other instances, but it served the purpose to mention two which were higher than yours. C RICKET Report Sheets, lOd. per dozen, post free Order of Going-ln Cards,7d. per dozen, post free. West’s Pocket Scoring Book, 1/2 each, post free —To be obtained at the Office of Cricket, 168. Um>er