Cricket 1899

464 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. Nov. 30, 1899. the average nearly double that amount by making high charges for reserved seats inside, of which the Australians receive nothing, though the majority of the English public think that it is the Australians who are responsible for the extra charges. Turning to theplayers, I will take them in theirorderof merit onthebatting tables. It is in accordance with the fitness of things that DarliDg should head the averages. His captaincy has been praised on all sides, and on the whole he is deserving of it, but the fact must not be overlooked that he has had an easy side to manage. There were no elements of discord in the team, such as has been in former Australian" teams. He has been most loyally supported and his bowling has been of such uniform quality it didn’t seem to make much difference who he put on first. His batting, especially towards the close of the tour, has been equal to his great reputation. Hill, unfortunately for himself and the team, has only been able to appear in fifteen matches. Early in June he began to suffer from au ulcerated throat, and on being examined by a specialist it was found that there was a small growth back of the soft pirt of the palite, which required removing. Though no more than a fortnight’s rest was at first thought necessary, owing to his getting about too soon he suffered a relapse by getting in­ flammation in the throat, and became so debilitated that he only appeared in three matches afterwards. However he is now fully recovered, and his numerous friends and admirers need have no misgivings about his future state of health. Up to the time of his illness he was batting better than anyone else on the side, and when we look at his record of 879 runs for 23 innings it will be readily understood what a great loss the team suffered by his absence. Noble has proved himself to be a cricketer of the highest quality. His batting has been a great success, and he has been resourceful enough to adapt his play to the conditions of the turf and the state of the game in a way that has been invaluable to his side. His great per­ formance at Manchester, when he saved Australia from defeat—batting in two innings for eight hours and a half—was a feat that in itself is sufficient to make his name memorable. He can claim the distinction of being at the wickets longer than any other member of the teamduring the tour; and of all men ought to be able to speak with some authority on English bowling. His bowling was at first successful, but towards the close of the tour was not so effective. Worrall had the misfortune to injure his knee on the ship coming to England, and has never recovered. What was wanted was complete rest, and, of course, that was out of the question. I cannot help thinking that his captain might have judiciously nursed him in the field instead of giving him the ordinary amount of work. His trip has been a great success, and he has proved himself to be one of the best forcing batsmen of the day.J Trumper’s tour has shown how necessary it is to give promising young players a show as soon as possible. Though he was the last man selected, he has proved himself one of the best. His record of 300 not ont against Sussex was a great innings, but in point of merit his 135 at Lird’s, against England was his best. His batting was the most attrac­ tive on the side, and his splendid qualities as a man have combined to make him a firm favourite. Laver has every reason to be pleased with his tour. Many of his best efforts have been when they were most wanted, which ismost invaluable in big cricket. His bowling at times was useful, and he proved himself an inde­ fatigable fieldsman. Iredale, owing to an attack of measles in June, missed several matches, but, nevertheless, suc­ ceeded in reaching his 1,000 runs. Trumble has, with Giffen and Palmer, earned the distinction of taking 100 wickets and compiling 1,000 runs in a tour. He has taken the greatest aggre­ gate of wickets, but he had most of bis opportunities when the wickets were in his favour. Gregory shows a great falling off from his 1896 tour. His 117 against England at the Oval was his most meritorious effort. In fielding he has fallen away slightly, but, neverthe­ less, can hold his own with the others. Kelly, as in 1896, bore the brunt of the work behind the sticks. His keeping towards the close of the tour was not good. He made some bad mistakes, especially when standing back to Jones. In batting he has done very well, and once reached his 100. Jones is the man who has done most towards making the tour a success. Without his fast bowling half the wins would have been drawn games, and some of the drawn games would possibly have been lost. He has bowled a splendid length, with just a tendency to overpitch the ball. His delivery has never been questioned, and it is safe to say has been beyond reproach throughout the tour. His hitting has been very valuable at times, and has proved very useful. His runs were got faster than any other player on the side. M’Leod, after starting badly finished up fairly well. He, like many cricketers making a first trip to England, found the conditions so strange that he was unable to do himself justice. Howell’s bowling has been in and out, mainly owing to an old strain that has troubled him throughout the tour. Many times he was unable to extend himself, and consequently his bowling was not so effective. But enough has been seen of him by English critics to convince them that he has not been overated in the past. Johns had very little to do, owing to Kelly being always well, and ready to keep. In the little he had to do it was apparent that his hands would not stand Jones’ fast deliveries. When the 1893 team returned to Aus tralia it was with the firmresolve that the best fast bowler that couldbe found must be taken with the next team. Though in 1896 Jones had to a great extent to make his reputation, he has proved a great suc­ cess. I would suggest that in future the two best fast bowlers be included, so as to rest each other ; and also to include the best slow or medium pace left-handed bowler, who can break from leg to right- handed batsmen. The bowler of this description, who would be easy to play on the best Australian wickets, would be a great acquisition to a team touring in England. In c inclusion, a word must be said of the able management of Major Wardill. It has long been felt that the manager of a team must be more than a mere man of figures, a person carrying some influence with him. That the right manwas selec­ ted in Major Wardill there can be no doubt. He is still aspopular as ever, and one need say no more in his praise. PHCENIX. The club played 45 matches during the season, of which 31 were won, 6 lost, and 8 drawn. 10,015 runs were scored by the club, averaging 25*56 per wicket for 425 wickets, and 6,537 against it for 525 wickets, averaging 12*25 per wicket. Twelve hundreds were scored during the season. CHIEF BATTING AVERAGES. No. Times Most of not in an Total inns. out. inns. runs. Aver. Rev. I.. Hamilton ... 8 ... 0 ...104 ... 373 ... 46*6 C. R. Purdon Coote ... 13 ... 2 ...125*... 510 ... 46*3 T. J. Considine ........... 9 ... 1 ...110 ... 347 ... 43*37 T. C. Ross ................... 10 ... 2 ...120 ... 3*23 ... 40 37 J. G. Blackburne ... 15 ... 1 ...118 ... 483 ... 34*70 L. H. Gwynn ........... 15 ... 1 ... 97 ... 470 ... 34*10 W . D. Hamilton.......... 13 ... 2 .. 117*... 346 ... 31*45 Under six innings A. D. Comyn ........... 5 ... 0 ...157 ... 306 ... 61*20 J. M. Meldon ........... 1 ... 0 ... 51 ... 51 ... 51*C D. Kasbottom ........... 2 ... 0 ... 83 ... 83 ... 41*50 F. H. Browning........... 3 ... 0 ... 71 ... 121 ... 40*33 H. F. Seawright............. 2 ... 1 ... 35*... 39 ... 39*00 E. J. Gwynn................... 3 ... 1 ... 33*... 67 ... 33*50 * Signifies not out. CHIEF BOWLING AVERAGES. Overs. Runs. Mdns. Wkts. Aver. E. Ensor ........... 283*2 ... 664 ... 71 ... 64 ... 10 37 T. C. Ross ....... 241*3 ... 462 ... 106 ... 41 ... 11*26 T. J. Considine ... 209 ... £06 ... 49 ... 33 ... 12*0 L. H. Gwynn ... 237 ... 514 ... 104 ... 39 ... 13*18 C. J. Moore......... 236*4 ... 701 ... 101 ... 53 ... 13*22 B. Hamilton ... 82 ... 252 ... 23 .. 18 ... 14*0 LEINSTER, The 1st X I. played 25 matches; won 14, lost 4, drawn 7. They scored 6,025 runs (including 438 extras) for 234 wickets—average 26 runs per wicket. Their opponents scored 4,315 runs (including 298 extras) for 269 wickets—an average of 16 runs per wicket. BATTING AVERAGES. No. Times Most of not in an Total inns. out. inns. runs. Aver. R. H. Lambert ........... 28 ... 7 ...163*...1458 ... 69’4 C. R. Fausset................... 6 ... 2 ... 73*... 158 ... 39’5 8. D. Lambert .......... 21 ... 1 ...121 ... 723 ... 36*1 S. C. Smith .................. 21 ... 1 ...137*... 696 ... 34*8 D. A. H. Milling........... 17 ... 2 ...126*... 374 ... 24‘9 J. M. Magee................... 5 ... 1 ... 40 ... 81 ... 21*0 T. E. Beckett.................. 8 ... 2 ... 27*... 1)7 ... 17*8 J. Foxall......................... 7 ... 2 ... 37 ... 89 ... 17*8 S. H. G. Fleming.......... 5 ... 0 ... 48 ... 8i ... 16 6 N. Peterson ................... 8 ... 0 ... 48 ... 132 ... 16'6 G. T. Keating ........... 9 ... 0 ... 31 ... 148 ... 16*4 T. J. Little ................... 18 ... 2 ... 50 ... 250 ... 156 HUNDREDS. R. H. Lambert, v. Athy ..........................168* R. H. Lambert, v. Bedford Regiment.154 R. H. Lambert, v. Dundrum..................143 R. H. Lamtert, v. Pembroke.......................................163 R. H. Lambert, v. Dundrum.......................................118 S. D. Lambert, v. Blackrock College ......................108 S. D. Lambert, v. Bedford Regiment.......................121 S. C. Smith, v. Blackrock College.............................. 137 D. A. H. Milling, v. Co. K ildare......................... 126 *Signifies not out. BOWLING AVERAGES. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkls. Aver. R .H . Lambert ... 7213 ...231 ...1477 ...142 H. Campbell.......... 95 ... 33 ... 187 ... 18 ... 10’3 T. C. Collingwood 57'4 ... 18 ... 127 ... 8 ... 15*8 C. J. Griffin........... 457’3 ... 173 ... 947 ... 55 ... 17*2 T. J. L ittle........... 144-3 ... 32 ... 374 ... 18 ... 20’7