Cricket 1899

74 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A p r i l 20, 1899. a “ Benetiink ” or an “ Abel ” ? Should he find that he is liable to be run out when he uses a “ Gamage,” he has his choice of a “ Twort,” or a “ Tate,” or a “ Duke,” and so on until he has tried the whole series of bats, by which time he will have had a wide experience. We have not yet decided as to prices, but any enquiries, when accompanied by cheques or postal orders—or even stamps if they are new— will be promptly answered. There have been rumours in the air, say the Natal Witness, that Llewellyn seriously thought of visiting England for the coming English season, and it now transpires that the Hampshire County committee are anxious to secure his services. He would play as an amateur (Isay “ play,” because I do not antici­ pate there would be any difficulty in regard to qualification), and the chance is a splendid one. I hear, however, that now the opportunity offers, Llewellyn is inclined to hold back. Much as we in Natal should regret to lose the services of such a brilliant performer; still, remembering that there is a tide in the affairs of men that leads, etc., Llewellyn would, I fear, be laying himself open to the charge of standing in the way of his own advancement if he allowed the chance to slip. Even if he remained for six months the experience would be of the utmost value, and on his returnthere is not a centre in the country which would not receive him with open arms. G ood judges of the game, continues the South African newspaper, including many who have played against him, hold the opinion that on turf wickets Llewellyn, with such a perfect command over the ball, and his wonderful variety of bowling, would prove a terror. Hampshire are desirous of making a big splash this season, and Llewellyn is just the man they require. They have done him the compliment of inviting him home (simply on the recommendations of those who are acquainted with his capabilities), and have gone so far as to utilise the cable to convey their desire. Llewellyn, of course, knows his own business best, but many of his best fiiends are of the opinion that he would be ill-advised if he allowed the oppor­ tunity to slip. If Llewellyn accepts the invitation, Natal will be fairly well represented in the Hampshire eleven, for, with Major Poore and Webb, there will be a trio who have been closely connected with the game in the Garden Colony. A HUMOROUSdescription of the presen­ tation to Charles Bannerman of the proceeds of his benefit match at Sydney appears in the Australasian. From it I extract the following :— “ Mr. Eeid stepped on the platform, followed by Mr. Barton, Mr. Carruthers, etc., and struck an attitude preparatory to speech- making. 'lhe remarks which followed were a charming blend of federation and cricket. Mr. Reed implored the departing eleven not to think, as was the custom twenty years ago, that all the people in the other colonies were rogues and swindlers. He said—with tears in his eyes—that he knew the Victorians were honest men; he had said so before, and he now said it again. Mr. Barton called on the eleven to remain true to the nation which they would belong to on their return. If defeated they were to bear defeat ncbly, and if victorious to bear it modestly. In any case, the hearts of Federated Australians would beat as one over the issue. Mr. Bart n concluded by hoping that in conduct, manners, and morals the eleven would prove themselves worthy of the great Australian nation. Joe Darling stepped forward, with his hand upon his heart, and declared that that should be their only endeavour. Mr. Carruthers said nice things to and about Bannerman, finally presenting him a cheque for £250. Mr. Bannerman thrust the tiny slip of paper into his trouser-pocket, and, gulping down his sobs, observed that he VICTOR TRUWPKB. Fromthe SydneyReferee. couldn’t speak ; he thanked them veiy much; Mr. Barton and the others were quite right the trip ought not to be all fun ; the men ought to keep respectable and sober. W. P. H o w e l l , who is coming to England with the Australian team, was married on March 1st to Miss Neva S. F. Hunter, of Emu Plains. O n Saturday, March 11th, Kenny Burn, the well-known Tasmanian bats­ man, made 42 not out for Wellington against Derwent at Hobart. On the following Saturday he carried his score to 192, and was still not out. As there were only five wickets down it is not unlikely that Burn has beaten his own record of 262 not out, the highest score made in Tasmania. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES. By our Agricultural Correspondent. U n t i l this year it has invariably hap­ pened that the Colt bird began to lay duck’s eggs on Easter Monday in the Nottingham district, but everything seems late this season, and the bird may be expected to lay at the end of tho month. As a rule, duck’s eggs have been plentiful long before this, but, according to the reporters, very few early birds have ventured to come out of their winter quarters. One of the early birds, whose home is in Sussex, has made a very long flight thus early in the season, something like 145 yards I believe. It is now defi­ nitely known that a flock of kangaroos is |certain to arrive on English shores at ; about the end of the month, and it is understood that their pouches are already well lined with the proceeds of three fights against the best kangaroos who were to be left at home. Mr. A. J. G a s t o n , of Brighton, writes: You have on several occasions during the past seventeen years granted me a space in Cricket to give extracts of early cricket in the colonies. The Rev. Edward S. Burrows, of S. Augustine’s Vicarage, Hackney, very courteously forwards me the following excerpts of Australian cricket in the forties:— Bell's Life, October 17th, 1847.—Match at Port Philip (no date). The Melbourne and Geelong Clubs played a match on the ground of the former, which Melbourne won by 92 runs. Score : Melbourne, 99 and 101. Lieut. Rush, 22 and 7 ; W . Philpott, 17 and 12 not o u t; G. Turnbull, 6 and 34 ; R. Philpott, 9 and 8 ; H. Walker, 9 and 5 ; W. Brickwood, 6 and 3; W . Nicholson, 0 and 3 ; D. Camp­ bell, 3 and 11 ; 0 . Giles, 4 and 0; F. W . Marsden, 7 and 1 ; D. S. Campbell, 1 not out and 1 ; Byes, etc., 15 and 16. Geelong, 45 and 63. Total, 108. A. Thomson, 10 and 22; C. Sladen, 20 and 16; E. P. Hines, 7 and 2; C. Lyon, 0 and 7; J. Mabson, 0 and 3 ; W . C. Haines, 0 and 2 ; E. Willis, 0 and 0 ; D.F. Minnit, 0 and 2 ; G. W . Elmes, 0 and 1 ; C. Byron, 2 and 2 ; T. W . Eicke, 4 not out and 6 not ou t; Byes, etc., 2 and 0. Bell’s Life, December 6th, 1846.—Match in Western Australia. The Swan River News has the following paragraph : We believe the first cricket match ever played in the colony came off on Monday, May 11th, at Berth, between the Perth Club and Eleven of the Tradesmen and Mechanics of the town. The playing appears to have been fair, and the Perth Club were declared the winners. T he South of England team which is to play against the Australians at East­ bourne on May 18th, will be chosen from the following: J. R. Mason (captain), F. G. J. Ford, C. J. Burnup, W. H. Pat­ terson, A. J. L. Hill, J. T. Hearne, Cuttell, Tyldesley, A. Ward, Briggs, Attewell, and Santall.