Cricket 1901

THB FINEST B4T THB WORLD 'PRODUCES. Sept. 19, 1901. CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME 419 BUSSEY’S Q d i a l ^ / V v Q D G S BUSSEY’S CO w • >j o P m P m P CO i-9 ►J H * 09 s w to a £ 1 tr> C O « 8 C O CO i>er CD CO CO H 03 s ' W) » o w O h t*3 s- o -*» o J?CM 0 S £ AT THE SIGN OF THE WICKET. B y F . S . A s h le y -C o o p e r . Not for many years before the present had the first-class cricket season in Eng­ land been brought to a conclusion by a couple of matches played in London. The two matches, although both were what may be termed extraneous fixtures, were invested with much interest. The meeting of Yorkshire and England at Lord’s was in aid of the widow and children of the late William Yardley, whilst Surrey and Yorkshire played at the Oval for the benefit of W. H. Lockwood. It will be remembered by all those who follow the game at all closely that the last-mentioned match should have been played during the last week of July, but, owing to heavy and continuous rain, not a ball could be bowled. During the present week Lockwood again experienced ill-fortune, the weather not allowing any play to take place on the second day of the match. It is hoped that enthusiasts of the game will not permit so fine and popular a cricketer to suffer on account of the fickleness of the weather. The subscription lists are still open, and donations, both large and small, will be thankfully received. The match at Lord’s was favoured with fine weather, and, as there were good attendances during the three days, it is only reasonable to suppose that the match realised a goodly sum. The late Mr. Yardley is best known to the present generation of cricketers as the only man who ever exceeded the century twice in Oxford v. Cambridge matches. Although almost a quarter of a century has elapsed since he played his last great match, the name of Yardley is familiar to all who participate in present-day cricket. Scores and Biographies says of him:—“ Is a splendid batsman, taking a position in the highest rank, and has been pronounced by competent judges to be second only to the champion, Mr. \V. G. Grace.” His successes were crowded into one brilliant decade, commencing in 1868, and, it is worthy to note, during his whole career he made but three centuries in first-class cricket. After 1873, however, he played but little. He was ambidexterous, being able to deliver left-handed lobs and right round-armed fast. On several occasions when participating in minor matches he would, when Dowling, deliver the ball with the left and right hand alternately. Whilst at Rugby he was able to throw the cricket ball 100 yards with the right hand and 78 yards with the left. Both Mr. Yardley and Mr. W. G. Grace have left it on record that when they met in a match they generally had a bet of half-a-crownas to which of the two made the higher score. The first occasion upon which they met on the cricket field was in the match at Lord’s, in 1869, between Cambridge University and M.C.C. and Ground. From that time until the end of 1873—when Yardley dropped out of great matches to a large extent—the two met on exactly thirty occasions, “ W. G.” winning twenty times and Yardley ten. Yardley assisted the Gentlemen against the Players in nine matches from 1869 to 1874, his batting average being fifteen innings, three times not out, highest score 83—total 435— average 36'25. His name will be remem­ bered by cricketers long after those of many of the modem players who knock up hundreds in almost every other match are forgotten. “ The Yardley Match ” was rendered memorable by a wonderful innings of 233 by Jessop. Those who were fortunate enongli to witness the display will never forget it. To score a century against the strongest bowling in the whole country is rightly looked upon as a remarkable per­ formance, but to score over two hundred against it in two hours and a half, and on the chief ground in the world, was a feat entirely without precedent. It may, per­ haps, prove of interest if I give here— D e ta ils of th e S cores ok 100 or more H it by M r . J esbop in F ibst -C lass C r ic k e t . 3897. 140, Camvs. Univ. v. Philadelphians, at Cambridge. He scored 81 (made from fourteen overs) out of P0 in 40 minut°s, 10D in an hour and a quarter, and 140 (out of 216 made whilst in) in 95minutes. 101. Gloucestershire v. Philadelphians, at Bristol. His first 79 runs were obtained (out of 118) in 70 minutes*, and 101 in an hour and a half. 126, Gloucestershire v. Warwickshire, at Edgbaston. His first 22 runs were scored in five minutes. He obtained 50 in ?5 minutes, ICOin an hour and ten minutes, and altogether 126 out of 176 in 95 minutes. 101, Gloucestershire v. Yorkshire, at Harrogate. In 20 minutes before luncheon on the first day he made 48 out of 54, and, afterwards, in eight overs, 68out of 64 in 20 minutes. Altogether, therefore, he was batting 40 minutes, during which time he obtained 101 out of 118. The scoring after luncheon was of a most sensational nature. From the first five overs delivered Gloucestershire scored 52 runs, of which Mr. Jessop scored 50, he at one time obtaining 33 runs off two overs delivered by Mr. Milligan and Hirst, 15 being scored from the former and 18 off the latter. Mr. Jessop obtained his 58 after lunch whilst his partner, Mr. F. H. B. Cliampain, was making four, the two players adding 62runs in 15 minutes. 1898. *112, Rest of England v. Mr. A. E. Stoddart’s Second Acglo-Australian Team (1897-98), at Hastings. He obtained 50 in 30 minutes, 76 (out of 93) in 40 minutes, ICOin an hour, and 112 not out (out of 156) in €8 minutes. 1E99. *171, Cambs. Univ. v. Yorkshire, at Cambridge. Mr. Jessop scored 171 not out in 105 minutes, obtain­ ing his hundred in 65 minutes. Whilst at the wicket he scored 171 out of 202, and at one time whilst in with Mr. T. L. Taylor obtained 52 out of 53 runs scored. 126, Gloucestershire v. Nottinghamshire, at Notting­ ham. He made 50 in 80 minutes, 102 in an hour and 126 in 90 minutes. At one period of his innings he made 35 (out of 40) in less than 10 minutes. *100, Rest of England v. Home Counties, at Hastings. Made in 68 minutes. 19C0. 179, Gloucestershire v. Sussex, at Brighton. He scored 60 in 45 minutes, 100 in 65, and 179 (out of 267) in 105 minutes. The Gloucestershire total was taken from 142 to 222 in 30 minutes, from 200 to SCO in 35 minutes, and from 142 to 310 in an hour. 109, Gloucestershire v. Middlesex, at Lords. He obtained 51 out of 57 in 30 minutes, 101 out of 112 in 60 minutes, and 109 out of 120 in 67 minutes. 157, Gloucestershire v. West Indians, at Bristol. Mr. Jessop obtained his 50 in 2D minutes, 1(0 in 43 minutes, and 157 (out of 500) in an hour. At one lime duiiDg his innirgs he and Mr. C. L. Townsend added 1C5 in 30 minutes, Mr. Jessop scoring 83 cf that number. (This match was not reckoned first-class, but has been considered worthy of mention.) 104, Gloucestershire v. Yorkshire, at Bradford (1st innings). Made out of 153 in 70 minutes. He obtained his 50 in 40 minutes. 139, Gloucestershire v. Yorkshire, at Bradford (2nd innings). Mr. Jessop obtained 50 out of 60 in 25 minutes, 101 in E9 minutes, and, altogether, 139 in 95 minutes, quite 10 minutes of which was occupied by scouts in finding the ball after Mr. Jessop had hit it out of the ground. 102, Gloucestershire v. Worcestershire, at Worcester. Mr. Jessop scored 50 in 45 minutes, 87 in 60 minutes, and 102 in 75 minutes. *123, South v. North, at Hastirgs. Made in 75 minutes. 1901. 169, M.C.C. and Ground v. Leicestershire, at Lords. He made £0 in 25 minutes, 100 in an hour, and 169 in 90 minutes. He made a hit cut of the ground. 124, Gloucestershire v. Middlesex, at Lords. He obtained 50 in 35 minutes, 100 in an hour, anti 124 (out of 161) in 75 minutes.