Cricket 1897

84 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OE THE GAME. A p r il 22, 1897. BUSSEY’S BATS. H IGHEST GRADE . BUSSEY’S BALLS. H IGHEST GRADE. BUSSEY’S GUARDS. H IGHEST GRADE . BUSSEY’S GLOVES. H IGHEST GRADE . BUSSEY’S BAGS. H IGHEST GRADE . CITY DEPOT— 36 & 38, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, L O N D O N . AGENTS ALL OVER THE WORLD. MANUFACTORY— PECKHAM , LONDON . TIMBER M ILLS— ELMSWELL, SUFFOLK. BETWEEN THE INNIN6S. One cannot help fearing that the changes made in the Philadelphian team will very seriously weaken it, especially if Bohlen’s untimely attack of influenza should eventually render him a non­ starter. For one looked to Bohlen for more runs than anyone else on the side, except Patterson, and his record in the past justified such anticipations. He has not yet been to England as a member of a Philadelphian team; but he was here on a visit some two or three years ago, and good judges spoke well of him then. Some of his performances in the more important matches at Philadelphia have been exceptionally good, too. The first time I find his name associated with a decent score against a visiting team is in September, 1891, when his contribution towards a first innings total of 248, against Lord Hawke’s team, was 29. Two years later, he played splendid cricket against Blackham’s Australian team, his innings of 118 forming the backbone of the big score of 525, run up by the men cf the Quaker City against their formidable opponents. In the return, too, he scored 33 of a total of 119 (the highest score on his side), and a magnificent 54, not out, in the second innings of 106. In 1894 he was responsible for an innings of 79 (of a total of 169) in the first match against Lord Hawke’ s Second Team. In 1895, against Mr. F. Mitchell’s University Eleven, he ran up a score of 115 in the return. He was not successful in any one of the three matches against Trott’s team a few months ago ; but altogether, his batting against English and Austra­ lian visiting elevens, thus far, shows 22 innings (one not out) for 487 runs, an average of over 23 per innings. Noble also will be greatly missed. His figures against first-class visiting sides up to date are: 23 innings (2 not outs), 431 runs, average 20-52. Against the Australians in 1893 he made 77, his high­ est score in first-class cricket thus far. Clark and Brown, too, are all-round playeis of far greater ability than the men whom it has been found necessary to substitute for them. Clark would have been quite the veteran of the team, as he completes his fortieth year in May, and was here with both the previous combina­ tions. In 1884 his figures were not at all remarkable—290 runs at an average of 13, and 22 wickets at 17 each; but in 1889 he had a fine batting average of 32, while his bowling was also useful. But the great player of the side, of course, is Patterson; and if Patterson plays up to his best form the team may yet do well, for there can be little doubt that his success will have a greatly inspirit­ ing effect upon the other members of the side. There is always danger, though, for those teams that depend too much upon one man; his failure so generally spells disaster for the side. I do not ex­ pect to see Patterson fail; his past record is too good to make that likely; but he may do so, and if he does I fear his team will not win many matches. G. S. Patterson is. beyond'all question, the finest all-round cricketer the States have yet produced. His fame dates back some eleven years or so, for he scored good innings in both matches played by the Philadelphians against Mr. E. J. Sanders’ second team in 1886. In 1888 he took 11 wickets in the two matches against the Irishmen, and played innings of 26 and 33 in the second match. In 1889 he made his first visit to England, and, scoring 529 runs in 14 completed innings, headed the batting averages of the side, and took more wickets than any other player. In 1891 his splendid bat­ ting (68 and 43 not out) largely contribu­ ted to the victory by eight wickets won over Lord Hawke’s team in the first match; in the return, which the English­ men won, his batting was not successful, but he took seven wickets for 46 runs. Towards the famous score of 525 against Blackham’s men he contributed 56. His best innings in the two matches against Lord Hawke’s second team in 1894 was 37; but he had no chance of scoring in the second match, bis hand being so badly hurt that he went in last in the first inn­ ings and did not bat at all in the second. Against Mr. Mitchell’ s team in 1895 he showed to immense advantage, scoring innings of 64, 109 not out, 67, and 74 — 314 in three completed innings ! In the Pennsylvania University match, too, he had no fewer than 10 wickets. Of course, it still remains to be seen what he can do in a series of matches in which he will generally be opposed to first-class pro­ fessional bow ling; but my opinion is that he will come out of the ordeal with all credit, and make for himself a name amoi:g the really great players of the world. J. B. King should be about the best of the American bowlers. In the matches against the Australians and the interna­ tional against Canada in 1896 he had al­ together 25 wickets for less than 13 runs each, a really capital record. Baily we saw here in 1889 , and there is nothing to indicate that he has improved very greatly since then. He is a good bowler—as amateurs go—but not a great one. P. H. Clark did one very good performance against the Australians, and may prove useful to the side; but there is nothing very awe-inspiring about the bowling. I suppose there is not much difference of opinion in Australia now as to the mistake made in not bringing Lyons with the 1896 team. Not that the record of the team could have been gre itly im­ proved thereby—it wastoo good for that— but one or two of the drawn games might have been turned into wins had he been there to set the example of hit­ ting; and, any way, an hour of “ John James ” would have been very welcome at times to all the spectators. Graham’s lack of success left the team practically without a hitter at all. Next time, though, we may expect to see Darling and Hill making runs faster.