Cricket 1903

J an . 29, 1903. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 15 NOTES FROM SCOTLAND . (B y O ur S pecial C orrrbpondrnt .) The year that has just closed will stand out in bold relief in the annals of Scottish cricket. Not only was it an eventful one, but, unJikc many of its predecessors, a season of progress. Many things contributed to this end, the chief factors being the Scottish County Champion­ ship, the visit of the Australians after a twenty j ears’ absence, and the dual visit of Gloucestershire. That we should have pro­ gressed at all was very gratifying, for with the exception of the year 1872 we have never, it is thought, experienced such an un- cricketical season. Except in the case of Mid-Lothian the cricket has improved, while there is undoubtedly a revival in the public interest. Although cricketers, as a rule, had fewer innings than usual last season ali previous records were eclipsed. Not so long ago it was considered very much out of the common for a couple of players to obtain a thousand runs or a hundred wickets in first-class Scottish cricket. In 1902 no fewer than eight, viz. : C. T. Mannes (Drumpellier), R. T. Reid (Aberdeenshire), Joe Anderson (Perthshire), Mitchell, G. (Fife- shire), A. S. Cairns (Caledon­ ian), J. O. Hirst (Diumpellier), J. Harper Orr (Stirlingshire;, and C. M. Campbell (Austral­ asians) reached the coveted thousand; while W. B. Sharp (Forfarshire), who only played regularly after Juno came in, vas within an acj of accom­ plishing the feat, scoring, as he did, V?70 runs. In bowling seven captured a hundred wickets, namely, 11. Macgiegor Mitchell( Perthshire),Chambers, G. H. (Forfarshire), Mitchell, G. (Fifeshiie), Popall, G. (Grange), Jenner,W.li. (Green­ ock), Henson, W . (Clydesdale), and Schofield J. (Melrose). Three of the above may be singled out for special com­ mendation. C. T. Mannes, Joe Anderson and Mitchell, G. have all created new records. The first-named in the worst batting season, perhaps, on record rose to the occasion and scored the largest aggregate ever compiled by a Scottish cricketer, viz., 1265 runs in 23 completed innings, or an average of 55. Mitchell, G. is the first Scottish player to make 1000 runs and take 100 wickets iu the same season—a very creditable performance ; while Joe Anderson, that most consistent of steady players, reached his 1000 runs for the second successive year. Only one other Scotsman, W . R. Sharp, to wit, has performt d this feat before, but the Forfarshire captain, did not, I think, make so many runs. Hitherto, during the close season in Scotland cricket has seldom been mentioned; this winter, not only is the game regularly discussed, but many cricketers are wishing, as are also the public generally, that summer were already here. The response to the plea for more enter­ prise put forward in these columns has exceeded my most sanguine expectations. Although the year has hardly begun each of the four districts in Scotland has already arranged one representative match. It is interesting to compare this with the state of matters that existed .during the four years prior to Coronation year. Between 1898 and 1901 we had only two visits from first-class teams—Lancashire—confined by “ J.P .” to twenty minutes’ plav in three days—and the South Africans. This season we are likely to have about ten or a dozen matches of a repre­ sentative character—agreat advance on former years. The Grange al me have invited nearly half of the first-cla^s English counties, viz. : Yorkshire, Lancashire, Sussex, Somerset, Gloucester, and London County. Disappoint­ ments never come singly to Scottish cricketers, and this year I regret to say is to be no exception, for not one of the counties mentioned can com 3 . To add to our mis­ fortunes the Philadelphians, who had already arranged a match, have been obliged to cancel their engagement. In spite of these refusals the Grange are endeavouring to arrange matches with other fir^t-class elevens. Negoti­ ations are also, I understand, proceeding MB. JOE ANDERSON. in these columns and several times since— home-and-home matches with All Irelanl. But alas ! it will be Ireland without poor Lucius Gwynn, who was “ so young to die with all his blushing honours thick upon him.” The matches which will be under the auspices of the Scottish Counties Champion­ ship Committee will be played at Perth and Dublin in the last week of July and the first week of August respectively. The hope may be expressed that these matches may be the prelude to much healthy rivalry between the two countries in the future. The S.C.C.C. have done another good stroke of business in making provision for neutral umpires—a felt want in championship matches last season. Although we were not to have a “ Scottish Cricket Board,” we are to have the next best thing - a thoroughly representative Selection Committee- Last season, it may be re-called, the selection of All Scotland Elevens was delegated to a Committee of thoseall belonging to the Eastern District. This year every district is to be represented on the Committee, which will be composed as follows:—A. E. G. Asher (Grange), A. S. Cairns (East), W.R. Sharp (North), T. O. Matthieson (West), and A. M. Grieve (South). I make bold tosay that the personnel of the Committee could hardly have been improved upon, and if the selectors go about their task with the same enthusiasm and thoroughness they exhibit on the cricket- field, we should have what has long been denied—an All Scotland Eleven, not in name only, but in fact. To expel a Selection Committee, itself representative, to choose a representative team was little short of lunacy. In this connection it may be inter­ esting to give the averages of the six players whose omission from the All Scot­ land Eleven last year was the cause of so much heart­ burning among enthusiasts. The appended averages cer­ tainly show that the players, provided, of course, they maintain their form, will have strong claims for inclu­ sion in an All Scotland Eleven in 1902. between Mr. G. L. Jeasop and Perth and Uddingston. W e greatly appreciate the interest Mr. Jessop takes in our cricket—an interest that is always backed up by some­ thing practical. Selkirk have, I am informed, also approached several of the leading English counties with a view to matches. This southern club, which is one of the best and most enterprising in Scotland, have an advantage over other clubs in other districts in that their season extends to the end of September. I am glad to hear Selkirk do not auticipate much difficulty in fixing up with English elevens. The Fijians are to play two-day matches against teams representing East and West of Scotland, while among touring teams coming to Scotland are the Oxford Authentics, Northumberland County Heywood (Lancashire), North of Ireland, ' Carlisle, &c. If this is not enterprise what ! is? We are also to have what was first suggested Name. *C. T. M tnnes (Drumpellier) +A. 8. Cairns (Caledonian) J. H. Paterson (Uddingston) W. Webster (AberJeenshire) JVlitchell, G. (Burntisland) ... Battirg Bowling Aver. Aver. ... 65 ... — ... 39 ... 9 ... 27 ... 8 ... 26 ... 9 52 ... 7 flirat, S. (Uddingston)................. 45 __ * Made 1,265 runs in 23completed innings (Scottish Record). + Mado 1,010 runs. X Made 1,193 runs and took 104 wickets (Scottish record). The Gentlemen v. Players match is not to be revived this season, which is certainly a great pity. I hear from a private source that an East v. West match may be played if the King decides to visit Holyrood early in the season. This used to be one of the best matches in Scotland until seven years ago, when the fixture was stopped on account of a petty disagreement on the subj ect of playing professionals. I have been asked to bring up the matter of an East v. West match again later on.