Cricket 1903

306 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. J u l y 30, 1903. classed among the very greatest batsmen, but his driving power is tremendous, while, in consequence of his great height, more half-volleys come his way than to a man of fewer inches. It is often said that Tunnicliffe would be worth playing in any team under the sun for his fielding at slip alone, and there is a good deal of truth in this. At the same time no one has ever heard in modem days of a man finding a place in a county team merely because he is a splendid field, and even in the old days brilliancy in the field did not gain a man a foothold if he were not something of a batsman or a bowler as well—unless, indeed, he were a longstop of exceptional ability. Tunnicliffe only gradually drifted into his regular position at slip, but when he began to attract attention by some extraordinary catches, Yorkshiremen speedily realised that here was a man with infinite possibilities before him, and as a slip he soon became famous. At slip he has discomforted a vast number of batsmen. Whether from a smart cut off Hirst’s expresses, or an incautious peck at Ehodes’ “ breakaways ” how many a man has turned round to see a giant arm fully extended with the ball tightly held high above the head, or it may be an inch from the grass! If not so invari­ ably safe as he used to be, Tunnicliffe still at times does wonders in this position. All sorts of tales are told about the brilliancy of his catches, and, by York­ shiremen at least, he is credited with being the best field at slip that there has ever been. I once overheard two gentle­ men talking about him on the electric railway at Liverpool. Said one of them, “ I tell you I once saw Jessop start to make a, hit to long leg, but at the last moment he suddenly altered his mind, as he often does, and made a sharp late cut. Now Long John, as soon as he saw Jessop going to hit to leg, started for that side, because there was nobody at long leg, but just as he had moved he saw what Jessop was up to and tried to stop himself, with the result that he turned a complete somersault. But it is a fact that in falling over he remem­ bered his duties and stretched out his lengthy arm just in time to grasp the ball at slip.” The other gentleman was thoughtful for about the space of half a minute. Then he remarked casually, “ That’s nothing. I remember that he and Hunter once nearly had a fight about a catch of his. It was in this way. He was fielding short slip to Peel, very close in, and the last two men were bat­ ting with three runs to make to win. ‘ Tunny ’ got a bit excited, and when one of the batsmen just touched a ball he put out his hand and caught it before it had time to reach Hunter. Of course Hunter v. as very much annoyed. He said it was infringing on his prerogatives. But Lord Hawke made peace between them.” I listened in admiration. Pre­ sently the gentlemen began to talk about a visit which they had made together to America, and I ceased to wonder. Tunnicliffe, whose height is 6ft. 3ins., was bom at Pudsey, near Bradford, on August 26th, 1866. His first match for Yorkshire was v. Notts at Trent Bridge on June 11th, 1891, when he made 33 in the first innings, his play being much praised by the Notts men. Of the York­ shire eleven who played in that match, only J. T. Brown, Tunnicliffe and Hunter now assist the county. Tunnicliffe came out when Yorkshire ciicket was at a low ebb, only five county matches being won as against ten lost in 1891. The team contained some promising youngsters whose powers were not yet matured, while some of the older hands were pass­ ing their prime. About this time the Australians predicted a future for some of the Yorkshire Colts, including Tunni­ cliffe, and their presage has been wonder­ fully fulfilled. For some of the details of Tunniclitfe’s career, I am greatly indebted to Mr. J. B. Payne. W. A. B e t t e s w o r t h . TH E M.C.C. TEAM D A Y B Y D A Y . The following announcements, official and otherwise, have appeared in the morning and evening daily pipers since the last issue of Cricket :— Thursday, July 23rd. At the Oval this afternoon P. F. Warner expressed the wish that it should be made public that he did not make any statement whatever at Manchester yester­ day regarding Lis willingness to go out to Australia under the captaincy of A. C. Mac’ aren. He was thunderstruck upon opening his newspaper in the morning to read the paragraph. He had a private conversation with Mr. Maclaren and the so-called official communication put him (P. F. Warner) in a false position, and might question his loyalty to the M.C.C. A. C. Maclaren announces that although Mr. Warner repudiates the statement that he will go to Australia under Mr. Maclaren, he (Maclaren) distinctly affirms that such an arrange­ ment was come to. Friday, July 24th. Hirst, Rhcdes, and Hayward have all signified their acceptance of the invita­ tion extended to them. Tyldesley and Braund have not finally replied. It is believed that E. M. Dowson will not be able to go. Mr. Maclaren distinctly affirmed the correctness of the announcement tele­ graphed yesterday to the effect that Mr. Warner expressed his willingness to go to Australia under his (Maclaren’b) cap­ taincy. With regard to the above, Mr. Warner, in the afternoon at the Oval, expressed his extreme annoyance, and declared that neither Mr. Maclaren nor anyone else had any right to give publicity to what was essentially a private conversation. Saturday, July 25th. An official announcement by the M.C.C. appeared. This will be found on page 311. It has been decided that the M.C.C. will not send out an umpire. The arrangement of the programme has been left to Major Wardell. Certain alternative names have been chosen in event of any of those who have not yet accepted finding themselves unable to do so. Monday, July 27. No more acceptances have been re­ ceived. Fielder and Belf have decided to accept if their committee give them permission to do so. Tuesday, July 28. Helf and Fielder have replied to the M.C.C. accepting their invitation. Wednesday, July 29. It is understood that Mr. J. A. Murdoch, the assistant secretary of the M.C.C., -will accompany the team. No further replies have been receive! bv the M.C.C. HONOR OAK (2) y. CATFORD (2). C atfobd . Darby, b Alwyn........... 4 Warner, b Alwyn ... 16 Wilkins, not out ... 17 French, c Woodroofe, b Alwyn ....................45 Curtis, c Townsend, b Alwyn ....................18 B 18, lb 4 .............22 R. Allport,b Adamson 10 G. Benyon, c A. Cut­ bush, b Adamson ... 15 Latimer, c Alwyn, b Adamson.................13 W . T. Bird, c Crump, b Adamson .......... 8 Taylor, run out.......... 6 Vercoe, c Alwyn, b Worth .................27 Hoxoa O a k . B. C. Alwyn, c Vercoe, R.R.Crump.b Warner 0 b Warner................81 B 5, nb 1..................... 6 T. J. Gracey, not out 66 __ C.Townsend,b Warner 0 | Total (3 wkts) 153 W. Woodroofe, H. C. Worth, A. R. Cutbush, F. G. Cutbush, C. D. Hayes, H. W. Adamson, and F. Fry did not bat. Total .. 200 HONOR OAK v. BROX BOURNE. - Played atHonor Oak on July *5. B roxbournk . C. W. Young, c Dick­ son, b Harrison .. 9 H. G. Morrell, c Skip- with, b Harrison ... 17 E. H. Frith, cJackson, b Harrison .......... 2 G. E. Morrell, bHarri- son .......... ..........23 H. 8merthwaite,cSkip- *i«h,bMattingley .. 0 F. T. Barker, c and b H ariison.................15 H onor O a k . C. F. Skipwith, c Mor­ rell, b .borrow..........25 H. H. Burton, bSmer- thwaite .................34 M. A. Jackson, c Bar­ ker, b Morrell .. 41 S. J. Dickason, b Mor­ rell ........................22 C. B. Alwyn, c Young, b Barker.................50 R. Bamber, c Dicka­ son, b Harrison D. Leslie, lbw, b Al­ wyn ........................ A. Frith, not out ... A. E. Borrow,bAlwyn A. HendersonstJack- son. b Harrison ... Byes ................. Total 3 6 4 0 1 7 . 87 H. C. Mattingley, c Borrow, b Morrell.. 0 G 8. Harrison, lbw, b Barker .................28 W. R. Young, b Bar­ ker ........................ 8 H. A. Pates, not out.. 20 T.R.Dickason, notout 19 B 21, lb 8, w 2,nb 5 81 Total (8 wkts) 278 LONDON &WESTMINSTER BANK (3) v. BELLE YUE (2).—Played at Norbury on July 18. B xllkvub (2). J. A. Jones, bPayne... 25 H. S. Berridge,bHard- ingham ..................................... 10 A. McCabe, c sub., b H ardinglam ............................ 9 J. Wilson, c Anson, b Payne............................................ 12 L. Smith, c Harding- ham, b Anson..........14 L. Bennett, bHarding- ham .......................................... 2 L. & W . B ank (3) F. Berridge, run o u t.. 1 G. Playle, lbw,bAnson 16 A. Vtale, b Harding- h a m ........................ 0 W. Robertson, not out 8 F. Jefferies,cCockell, b Anson ................. 0 Byes ................. 6 Total ...103 W. H. Browne, cB ., b F. Eeriidge.......... 0 C. F. G. Wellborne, c H., b F. Berridge ... 78 H.Hardingham,b Ben­ nett ........................ 0 S. Wood, c H., b F. Berridge ................10 A. M. Cockell,bWilsoi 21 G. O. Anson,cMcCabe, b Jones .......... ... 17 H. J. Payne, lbw, b F. Berridge .......... 0 W. Horncastle, csub., b R >tertson .......... 8 J. T. Merry, c Playle, b Robertson .......... 1 J. L. Challis, not out 12 A. Young, c sub., b Bennett .................10 B 5, w 1 .......... 6 Total ..463