Cricket 1899

“ Together joined in Cricket’ s manly toll.” — Byron. No. 5 1 3 . VOL. X V III. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1899. FBXOB ad. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. WALTER LEES. Before many years have elapsed there will hardly be any new fields for the English pro­ fessional to conquer in the winter months. Australia, India, North America, the West Indies and South Africa have all engaged professionals at various times, and nowadays we have hegun to get profes­ sionals from Australia. One of the few places which remained to be opened up was visited by Lees last winter. When Mr. James Gifford came over to England and played in some of the first-class matches the year before last it was recognised that, if he were anything like an average specimen of the South American cricketers, there must be some remarkablyjgood material to work upon. Under these circumstances the expe­ riences of Lees are of special interest. Like wise men, the clubs which engaged him, recog­ nising that the intense heat must be trying to an Englishman, did not attempt to kill him with overwork, and the result was satisfactory to them and their visitor. In the intervals of coaching Lees played in several matches, taking 82 wickets for about four runs a wicket, and ' scoring nearly 500 runs with an average of 50. In his first match, when his style of bowling was altogether foreign to his opponents, he took eight wickets for 11 runs in each innings. Hi3 highest score was 109, and in the course of this innings he hit three 6’s and two 4’s in two consecutive overs. Lees was born at Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax. When he grew up he went to live at Halifax, where he soon found himself in the second eleven, from which in a very short time he was promoted to the first. His first big step was to answer an advertisement which brought him to the Oval. In Septem­ ber, 1892, he played in the Colts’ match, and was at onea engaged by the Surrey club, although it was not until. 1896 that he appeared in the eleven. Twice Lees has done the hat trick. 1n one of the Hampshire matches at Southampton, in 1897, he took six wickets for 27 in the second innings on the second day of the match, getting rid of Captain Quinton, M r. D. A. Steele and Mr. Heseltine with succes­ sive balls. It will be remembered that Hamp­ shire had to make 146, and had put up 74 for three wickets when Lees went on. When stumps were drawn Hampshire had only added five runs for the loss of five more wickets. On the following day it rained in­ cessantly, so that the match was drawn. On WALTER LEES. (From a Photo J>y A. T. Witcomb, Buenos Aires.) the other occasion when Lees did the hat tiick he was playing for High Wickham against the M.C.C., who had a very strong team. “ Braitnd and I were batting,” said Lees, “ on a bad wicket against Mr. Spoflorth, whom I had never met before. A ball from him got up and hit me on the elbow, with the result that my hand was closed so tightly that I could not open it for some time. When our turn came to bowl I did not feel able to go on, but when four wickets were down, and they only wanted 14 to win, I had a go. Oddly enough, in the very first over I got rid of young Mr. Grace, Russell and G. G. Hearne with successive balls, and we won the match by four or five runs.” It may be interesting to state that Lees went to Monte Video from Newport without calling anywhere on the voyage, and that he was twenty-six days at sea on the outward voyage and twenty- four in returning. “ When I arrived at Monte Video,” said Lees, “ I found one of the Messrs. Anderson waiting for me. I had some difficulty in passing my cricket things through the customs, because the authorities could not be made to understand what they were for. Then Mr. Anderson accompanied me to Banfield, the home of Mr. Kingsland, where I stayed all the time I was in South America. Banfield is about twelve miles by train from Buenos Aires, and I was very much surprised to find what splendid carriages were used— theyare on theAmerican system, and are fitted up in a luxurious manner. I had a wholly delight­ ful time at Mr. Kingsland’s house, and I shall never forget the kindness which I received.” “ What club did you coach?” “ I coached two or three clubs —the Buenos Aires C.C., Hurl- ingham, Lomas and Belgrano. Mr. Kingsland’shouse was about three miles away from the Lomas ground. I also acted as coach to two schools. One of them was the Barker Memorial School, at which there was a master—Mr. Rudd—a brother of the Leices­ tershire county cricketer. He was a good little all-round player, and a very pleasant man to have anything to do with. The members of the Belgrano club are good sportsmen, and take a keen interest in the game. They are fortunate in having Mr. Webberley as their leading member. I believe he is an old Bedford boy. On the Belgrano ground I made my highest score in South America, which was 109 for Belgrano against Flores. When I came away the members gave me a beautiful cigar­ ette case, which I greatly appreciate.” “ They have a resident professional at Hurlingham?”