Cricket 1903

CRICKET, JUNE 4, 1903. Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil ho. «J3i. vox., x x i i . THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1 9 0 3 . p b io b 2 a. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. M b . E. L. EDE. A lthough Mr. Ede has long ceased to play for Hampshire, his fondness for the game is such that he still keeps up his connection with the County Club by officiating as its scorer, though, of course, in an unpaid capacity. He began this work about 1882 when the County still played on the old Antelope Ground, and has hardly missed a match since then. In the winter months he works hard at the task of bringing out the Hampshire Cricket Guide, which very useful book he has compiled for many years. Educated at Eton with his twin brother George, best known to the racing world as “ Mr. Edwards,” of The Lamb and “ Grand National” fame, he was an extremely useful all-r.und man as a cricketer, being particularly Buocessful on occasions with his “ slows,” which he first learnt to bowl by watching the famous old Clarke of “ All England ” fame, when coaching the boys year by year at Eton. It is not too much to say that he was the first to introduce this style of bowling into Hampshire, and his success there in all classes of matches was wonderful. He frequently made good scores, and had the habit of making them when runs were badly wanted. Although he was bom in 1834, it is only within the last half dozen years that he has ceased to take part in dub matches. Mr. Ede was at Eton in 1848 with his twin brother George. “ We neither of us got into the team,” he said, “ because we were too young when we left. My brother won the “ Grand National ” on TheLamb for Lord Poulett in 1868 andwas killed in the Sefton Steeplechase at Liver­ pool in March, 1870, when riding Chip- things which pleased him most was when he won a victory at Hampton in 1869 over Fordham by a head, and made 122 on the Antelope Ground on the next day. After left Eton I read for the Army, but con­ tracted a serious illness, which prevented me continuing my studies. After I had recovered I went down to Northampton with my brother to Mr. Selby’s, Lord (From a photo by Messrs. Bennah & Kent , 108, King's Road , Brighton.) penham for the same owner. One of the Lilford’s steward, where I remained for three years. My brother began to ride regularly, and we won three races with two of our horses at Oundle Steeplechases. My brother won most of the principal steeplechases, hurdle races and gentlemen riders’ races, and this brings me up to the time of his death in 1870. He was a really good bat and played many times for Hampshire, besides being the first secretary of the Hampshire County Cricket Club, which was formed in 1814.” “ When did you begin to play county cricket ? ” “ I played in all the county matches from 1864 to 1874. We had a pretty good eleven sometimes; among the best players being Henry Frere, who bowled for the Gentlemen against the Players at Lord’s several times; Mr. T. P. Garnier, an Oxford B lue; Mr. E. Thresher; Mr. J. St. John Frederick, who played for Eton and Oxford with considerable success; H. Holmes, a member of George Parr’s X I . ; Jimmy Southerton, who also played for Surrey and Sussex; C. F. Lucas, A. H. Wood, Dr. George Case, a very good bat and bow ler; and C. F. Bowen, afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England. We always played on the Antelo-d Ground, and had spl'- -iid wickets.” Was there a county club in those days ? ” “ The beginning of the club may be said to date from 1864. Surrey had been thrown over by Cambridge —I don’t remember whether it was the county or the ’Varsity—they wrote to ask us if we could bring fourteen of Hamphire to the Oval. We went up,and I think they won the match. Out of that match originated the county club, for when Surrey played the return with us later in the season, we had a very big meeting on the second day, and the county club was formed. Next year we played My brother then Surrey and other counties, was appointed secretary, and Mr. Cham- berlayne, of Cranbury Park, president. For four years we played with varied success against Surrey, Sussex and Buck­ inghamshire, and other counties. Mr. Henry Frere was then in his very best form as a bowler. In one of our Surrey