Cricket 1899

“ Together joined In Cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. Ho. 6X5. VOL. XV III. A FORGOTTEN CHAMPION. William Lambert, who was born at Burstow, in Surrey, about 1779, was one of the most accomplished cricketers that ever lived, excelling as he did in batting, bowling, fielding, wicket-keeping, and single-wicket matches. His hands are stated to be “ enormous, which was a great advantage to him.” His hitting was tremendous, and it is said that the bowler, instead of attacking him, seemed to be always at his mercy. In his early years he had a habit of standing at the wicket with his bat above his shoulder, but he discarded that action after appearing in a few great matches, as his wicket was often overturned by a fast or shooting ball before he could bring his bat down to play it. Whilst preparing to receive the ball he would stand with his left foot well advanced, and then draw it back rapidly on playing, as he thought it would put the bowler off his pitch. Old William Clarke, the famous bowler, on one occasion declared that ‘ •Lord Frederick Beauclerk and William Beldham were very good bats, but Lambert was the best batsman I ever saw, and Pilch comes next.” Such praise, coming from so good a judge, was praise indeed. It is for having made two separate scores of over a hun­ dred in one match, against the bowling of Mr. E. H. Budd and T. C. Howard, that Lambert will chiefly be re­ membered, he being the first cricketer to achieve this most exceptional performance. Lambert, from whom Clarke said he learnt a great deal about bowling, was a slow bowler, having a high underhand delivery, the balls twisting in from the leg. He was very successful with the ball, and will be found credited with wickets in almost all the great matches in which he partici­ pated. THURSDAY, JULY 6, 1899. In the days of Lambert matches were frequently played for large stakes, and the players were often offered sums of money to lose the match for their side. Unpleasant recriminations were some­ times bandied about: “ Who lost the match for Surrey?” “ Who bowled at anything but the wicket for Kent ? ” etc. Mr. Pycroft devotes a chapter of the WILLIAM LAHBEBT. Cricket Field to those dark days, and a very interesting chapter it is. It was said that in 1817 Lambert “ sold ” the match at Nottingham, between England and Twenty-two of Nottingham, and in consequence he was excluded from Lord’s and all the {treat matches of^the day. In 1810, Lambert played' a single­ FRXCE Sd. wicket match at Lord’s, which caused a great sensation. But let Mr. Pycroft describe it in his own pleasant style :— “ Lord Frederick Beauclerck, with Howard, made a p.p. match with Os- baldeston and Lambert. ‘ On the day named,’ said Budd, ‘ I went to Lord Frederick, representing my friend was too ill to stand* and asked him to put off the match.’ ‘ No, play or pay,’ said his Lordship, quite inexorable. ‘ Never mind,’ said Osbaldes- ton, ‘ I won’t forfeit, Lambert may beat them both; and, if he does, the fifty guineas shall be his.’ I asked Lam­ bert how he felt. ‘ Why,’ said he, ‘ they are anything but safe.’ His Lordship wouldn’t hear of it. ‘ Non­ sense, he said, ‘ you can’t mean it.’ ‘ Yes, play or pay, my Lord, we are in earnest, and shall claim the stakes! ’ and, in fact, Lambert did beat them both. For to play such a man as Lambert, when on his mettle, was rather discouraging ; and ‘ he did make desperate exer­ tion,’ said Beldam. ‘ Once he rushed up after his ball, and Lord Frederick was caught so near the bat that he lost his temper, and said it was not fair play.’ Of course, all hearts were with Lambert.” “ Osbaldeston’s mother sat by in her carriage, and en­ joyed the match ; ‘ and then,’ said Beldam, ‘ Lambert was called to the carriage, and bore away a paper parcel; some said it was a gold watch, some suspected banknotes. Trust Lambert to keephis own secrets. We were all carious, but no one ever knew ’—and no one ever will know.” The following is the score of the match:— A t Lord’s, July 6 and 7.1810. W . Lambert, b Howard ... 5« b H o w a rd ...........24 G.;Osbaldest», Esq..retired i l l 1 did not go in ... 0 67 24