Cricket 1905

70 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A p b il 20, 1905. points was introduced with success the following year. Amongst those who have been respon­ sible for the success of Northamptonshire cricket during the past two decades might be mentioned the Kingstons, T. H. G. Welch, C. J. B. Wood (now of Leicestershire), T. Horton (the popular captain), C. J. T. Pool, W. A. J. West (the present county umpire), L. T. Drif­ field, Thompson, Bowley, Potter (after­ wards of Surrey), East, Coe, Santall, Mold, and Law. Despite the abilities of those mentioned, undoubtedly the most prominent figure is G. J. Thompson. He first appeared for the team in 1895, and has been the mainstay of both batting and bowling departments. Indeed, but for him, it is doubtful whether North­ amptonshire would have found them­ selves in such a high position in the cricket world. He is one of the few players who have been fortunate enough to register a century in their first appear­ ance for the Players against the Gentle­ men. What his value is to North­ amptonshire cricket can be gauged from the following batting and bowling aver­ ages attained for his side in important games. BATTING. No Times Most of not Total in an Year. inns. out. runs. inns. Aver. 1895 .......... 14 ... 3 . . 116 .. 41* .. 1055 18% .......... 20 ... 1 . . 416 .. 77 .. 2189 1897 .......... 24 ... 3 . . 679 ... 120 .. 32-70 1898 .......... 18 ... 3 . . 808 .. 134 ... 53-86 1899 .......... 23 ... 4 . . 574 .. 95* .. 3021 1900 .......... 18 ... 2 . . 688 .. 186* .. 4300 1901 .......... 20 ... 3 . . 624 .. 164* .. 36-70 1902 .......... 13 ... 3 . . 366 .. 78 .. 36-00 1903 .......... 16 ... 3 . . 429 .. 445* .. 33-00 1904 .......... 16 ... 2 . . 596 .. 167* .. 42-57 * Signifies not out. BOWLING. Year. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Aver. 1895 .. 235.3 ... 85 ... 441 .. 38 .. 11-60 1896 .. 390.3 ... 115 ... 1132 .. 61 .. 1855 1897 .. 507.1 ... 152 ... 1210 .. 90 .. 1340 1898 .. 429 ... 113 ... 1103 .. 55 .. 20-05 1899 .. 518 ... 108 ... 1157 .. 67 .. 1726 1900 .. 461.1 ... 118 ... 1242 .. 80 .. 15-02 1901 .. 520 ... 112 ... 1469 .. 107 .. 13-72 1902 .. 436.1 ... 117 ... 1111 .. 100 .. 1111 1903 .. 440.4 ... 133 ... 964 .. 92 .. 1047 1904 .. 433.4 ... 101 ... 1138 .. 99 .. 11-49 In conclusion let me give the results of the chief contests fought by the county for the past twenty years:— Year. Played. Won. Lost Dra\ 1884 ... 9 ... 4 ... 2 ..,. 3 1885 ... 6 ... 3 ... 3 .. ,. 0 1886 ... 13 ... 5 ... 2 ... 6 1887 ... 13 ... 5 ... 7 .. . 1 1888 ... 5 ... 0 .. . 3 ... 2 1889 ... 7 ... 0 .. . 2 ..,. 5 1890 ... 5 ... 0 .. . 1 .. ,. 4 1891 ... 9 ... 1 .. . 4 ... 4 1892 ... 5 ... 2 ... 2 .. . 1 1893 ... 5 ... 1 .. . 2 ... 2 1894 ... 6 ... 1 .. . 3 .. . 2 1895 ... 7 ... 1 .. . 2 ..,. 4 1896 ... 11 ... 2 ... 2 .... 7 1897 ... 14 ... 2 ..,. 2 .,.. 10 1898 ... 13 ... 3 ... 3 .. 7 1899 ... 14 ... 4 .. . 0 .. ,. 10 1900 ... 15 ... 4 .. . 0 . 11 1901 ... 12 ... 4 .. . 1 .. .. 7 1902 ... 12 ... 5 .. . 0 ., .. 7 1903 ... 11 ... 9 .. . 1 ..,. 1 1904 ... 12 ... 10 .. . 0 .. 2 What Northamptonshire’s prospects are as a first-class county it would be difficult to conjecture. With such men as W. H. Kingston, Thompson, B. P. Knight, G. A. T. Vialls, East, O. B. Wetherall, and T. Horton they possess an imposing array of batsmen. In bowl­ ing they are not so fortunate, their only bowlers of really first-rate ability being Thompson and East; and when it is stated that of the 219 wickets captured by Northamptonshire bowlers last season no fewer than 184 were secured by these two professionals, the want of variety in attack is conspicuously apparent. Unfor­ tunately for Northamptonshire cricket, the finances of the club are none too flourishing ; though with promotion this difficulty may be alleviated. AS OTHERS SEE US. The following graphic and picturesque comments on the matches between St. Yincent and Lord Brackley’s team are taken from the St. Yincent Sentry :— In the eighth over of the game, Ollivierre seemed to find a weak point in the British Skipper; the first hall of that over humped. With remarkable dexterity his Lordship stopped it over the wicket, but he looked a bit queer. The bowler repeated the dose bumping slightly higher, and it choked the batsman, and the ball falling from his willow created disorder in his timber-yard. This early capture wasloudly applauded. 17— 1— 7. Hayes joining Captain Wynyard followed his partner’s example, playing with caution; but in the course of the generally difficult deliveries, any ball coming favourably was driven with remarkable force, giving the local men an opportunity of displaying some excellent fielding. Three overs more of fierce attack and masterly defence. At twelve o’clock the clouds were dispersed and King Sol, appearing with all his noonday ardour, sent down propitious rays on the ground, which being rolled, was at two o’clock quite fit for play. A. P. Somerset joined the Surrey profes­ sional and while the new comer showed a determination to defy the efforts of the trundlers, Hayes kept up a steady game, occasionally applying the wood with vigour on any ball that could be safely submitted to such treatment. Powys-Keck was the last man. He met Hayes with the score at 130 and they con­ tinued the forcing game, but Hayes paid for it. At last those seemingly impregnable fortifications he defended so gallantly for nearly four hours were shattered by the persistent invader Richard Ollivierre, and the innings closed for 147 runs. Powys-Keck trundling from the western end opened the attack, and McAulay proved an easy victim. Whether frightened by the long run and the grand flourish of the English left hander or excitedby theencourag­ ing cheers of the crowd, the batsman evinced a funky beginning and it must have been a relief to him when the last ball of the over shooting off his pad dislocated his stumps 0—1—0. On Thursday morning every Vincentian heart was warm with confident expectation of a vivid illustration of what is known in this island as the “ Ollivierian game,” the happy news being circulated that the two brothers would open play in continuation of the innings. Powys-Keck and Pritchard re-appeared with remarkable freshness, and H. Ollivierre and R. Ollivierre faced the bowling with con­ spicuous composure. Two uneventful overs having passed, Helon applied on Keck the force of a muscular arm combined with the hitting art, throwing him clean over the ropes into the premises of Mr. C. J. Simmons. The excitement thus created was intensified by the artful getting of short runs, which seemed to worry the field. The batsmen being at home, andacting in perfect harmony, kept the field exceedingly active, despite the indefatigable efforts of the bowlers to displace them. H. Brown succeeded the retired batsman and in a few moments 20 more being added to the score and R. Ollivierre having attained his century—less one run—made a most brilliant cut which was taken by Foley chock out on the boundary line. The joy of the fielders at capturing this vigorous batsman was mixed with the regret universally felt that he was dismissed for 99 runs. Hayes commenced an admirable game and his comrades must have relied upon him for a substantial contribution, but at his attaining the unlucky number 13, Layne delivered a terrible trimmer which stole away the bails of the Surrey professional. Meanwhile Hesketh-Pritchard had been playing the game of a stone-waller with a persistency that was anything but entertain­ ing to the crowd, but who longed to see such a slow wicket removed. Joined by Thomp­ son, he kept it up until luncheon, when the board showed three for 50. But after that interval Pritchard’s time came, for in spite of his determination not to raise his bat, R. Ollivierre, enticing him forward, left him there to look back at his scattered wickets. C. P. Foley, another hard nut to crack, then went in and heartily co-operated with Thompson in efforts to advance the score. Pulling hard against the stream of destructive bowling and faultless fielding, they attained 178 before another mishap occurred, Foley being completely beaten by Layne who broke in from the off and made a sorry confusion behind the batsman, 178—7—23. R. C. Burn was short lived. On being attacked by Layne, a severe one was diverted by the bats­ man in the direction of short slip, where R. Ollivierre springing with the sharpness and accuracy of a tiger, held it in his left hand about two inches off the ground, 180— 8—2. GLAMORGANSHIRE. MAY. 1. Cardiff, Yorkshire v. South Walest JUNE. 2. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Monmouthshire* 12. Chippenham, Glamorganshire v. Wiltshire* 19. Newcastle, Glamorganshire v. Northumberland* 21. West Hartlepool, Glamorganshire v. Durham* 30. Swansea, Glamorganshire v. Northumberland* JULY. 17. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. M.C.C.* 19. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Berkshire* 26. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Devonshire* 28. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Wiltshire* 31. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Durham* AUGUST. 7.Cardiff, Australians v. South Walest 11. Oval, Glamorganshire v. Surrey (2nd XI.)* 14. Reading, Glamorganshire v. Berkshire* 18. Newport, Glamorganshire v. Monmouthshire* 23. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. London County* 25. Exeter, Glamorganshire v. Devonshire* 28. Cardiff, Glamorganshire v. Surrey (2nd XL)* * Two-day match. f Three-day match.