Cricket 1906

A pril 12, 1906. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 55 successful, with 33 and 17 at Hobart; and at Brisbane he was dismissed for 6. It is a curious fact that a man so remark­ ably successful in the leading engage­ ments should fail on three occasions against the weak Queensland eleven. He suspended the spell of ill-luck up north until he had reached 43, then he was run out. The Rev. E. F. Waddy went to The King’s School in 1897-99, and there laid a solid foundation for what was ulti­ mately to become a substantial cricket superstructure. After leaving The King’s School he was stuck so closely in an office that there was very little opportunity for cricket. Iu 1901 he went to New­ castle, where he was more fortunate, and in 1902 he was at the University. In 1902 and 1903 he played against Queens­ land, and got 6 and 9. During seasons 1903-4 and 1904-5 he was captain of the *Varsity eleven. Most batsmen have some'idea of bowl­ ing, if it be only what is picked up at the nets. With regard, however, to Waddy, I have it on very good authority that he is the worst bowler in Australia. Instead of hiding his shortcoming in this respect he does quite the reverse; for, on its being stated recently that there was no worse bowler, he replied, “ I quite believe it.” He appeared in three inter-university engagements—1902 and 1903, at Sydney, 58 and 8; 1903-4, at Melbourne, 43 and 232; and 1904-5, at Sydney, 309 —a total of 650, and an average of 130. The 309 is a record for inter-university matches. He gets his runs artistically, and by clean and perfectly-timed strokes in all directions, and stands well over the ball in making his forcing strokes. Remarks upon the career of the Rev. E. F. Waddy would not be complete without reference being made to the fact that he was probably in the last five from whom four were chosen to complete the last Australian Eleven. Had another man been required, he would have been selected. As it was, public opinion was strongly in his favour. In order to show the selectors what his qualifications were for selection as second wicket-keeper, he was given a trial during the match at Melbourne. Under such circumstances it would not cause surprise if anyone failed to quite reach expectations. Sub­ sequent happenings, however, show that had he been in the team the chances are that his batting and wicket-keeping would have been largely availed of. If he should maintain his form his place in the next Australian Eleven is assured.— Sydney Mail. AUSTRALIAN NOTES. B y a n A u s t r a l ia n C o r r e sp o n d e n t . Before the visit of New South Wales to Melbourne in February, the Victorians were wrath because N.S. VV. decided to send what was considered a weak team, but they received a shock at the huge score of 805 piled up against their bowlers. In January, 1902, the same thing occurred in Sydney, only both sides wore affected (N.S.W. the more), on account of a test match against MacLaren’s team preventing the players from arriving in Sydney in time. On that occasion the Victorians wanted a postpone­ ment, thinking that with so many cracker- jacks absent from N.S.W. the game would prove a farce. However, N.S.W. won, and now history repeats itself. Victoria ia the late match was badly captained, no one being placed to block Mackay’s pet strokes (pulls from outside the off stump to square leg, forward square leg, and mid-on). E. L. Waddy is a fine batsman, a mixture of brilliancy and solidity. Imagine a whirl­ wind, followed by a nice steady breeze, and you have E. L.’s batting to a “ T.” He is a much more robust man than “ The Parson ” (he is also called “ Mick ” ). Fancy Mackay getting another century! He is batting well, but I think that if a bowler were to bowl rather full on the off at a fair pace, Mackay would not be so prolific a run-getter. His weakness lies behind point; the disposition of his feet - as mentioned by me before—having a bad effect. The Jubilee match between Victoria and N.S.W. proved interesting. C. Gregory could not get a place in the eleven. I managed to get to Sydney and witness this match, on account of its importance from a historical point of view. Noble won the toss, and to the surprise of everyone, went in to bat on a wicket upon which rain had fallen in torrents during the previous night—canvas had been spread over it, but this did not prevent the rain from getting at it. Had Noble sent the Victorians in he would have repeated Gilbert’sprocedure in the firstmatch in 1856 Saunders soon demonstrated that the wicket was bad. When Trumper was preparing to go in he remarked that he would try and knock Saunders off. After being nearly bowled first ball by the left­ hander. he settled downand gave amagnificent exhibition. I have never seen the equal of it. He simply pulverised the bowling. The field could not be placed to stop the hits. He generally lifted the ball over mid-off’s or cover-point’s head, after the style of A. C. MacLaren. It requires great judgment to execute this stroke, but it generally spells four. H. H. Massie was another exponent of this stroke—also O. G. Radcliffe and I. D. Walker. My watch showed 56 minutes 30 seconds for the 101! Trumper hit a ball delivered by Frank Laver over straight-hit’s head on to the northern pavilion—about 130 yards—a great stroke. In the second innings, Mackay, Noble and E. F. Waddy played splendidly, the latter’s effort, like his innings against the Australian Eleven, being a gem. He is beginning to play his natural game; he is a great batsman. McAlister has played up to his true form this season. He reminds me of Old Nyren’s description of Aliller, the gamekeeper. But, methinks, the selectors of the Australian eleven had their eyes on all the brilliant players, so as to catch the “ googies.” I am afraid that the money aspect of cricket is having a baneful effect on the character of the game. Australia is in need of a good captain, and Karl Quist, who captained the West Austra­ lian team against South Australia, is the best captain that I know of. A keen cricketer, a great tighter, he has all the essentials for the making of a great captain. He is a deep thinker and a keen observer. He places his field for the various batsmen with marked ability, and he handles his bowlers—nurses them—as tenderly as if they were each some rara avis. He is of mild temperament, so is his batting. In fact, I have noticed times out of number that by observing the tempera­ ment of a man you can tell what kind of a cricketer he is. The late P. S. McDonnell was fiery tempered—also a fiery bats nin. C. T. B. Turner ditto—also a fiery bowler and batter. Noble is immovable both in temperament and in his mode of batting. I could mention scores of cricketers whose temperaments are imparted into their games. In my opinion Cotter has improved wonder­ fully as a bowler. He has shortened his run, and he now bowls very accurately; but he does not mix his pace as much as I would like to see him. THE METROPOLITAN CLUBS IN 1 9 0 6 . The honorary secretary of the G ra n ­ v i l l e (Lee) C.C. is Mr. H. W. Gill, 36, Wisteria Road, Lewisham, S .E ., while Mr. H. F. Hadcock, 45, Burnt Ash Road, Lee, S .E ., is his assistant. The season begins on April 28th with a match against Charlton Park, at Lee, and over thirty other matches follow, among the opposing teams being Hampstead, Black- heath, H.A.C., Woolwich Garrison, Wanderers, Richmond, and Charlton Park. Mr. P. P. Lincoln is the captain of the first eleven. APRIL. 21. Lee, Captain’s XI. v. Vice-Captain’s XVIII. 28. Lee, v. Charlton Park MAY. 5. Lee, v. Bromley W. Lee, v. Tonbridge 12. Lee, v. Whitgift Wanderers 16. Gravesend, v. Gravesend 19. Hampstead, v. Hampstead 23. Lee, v. Guy’s Hospital 26. Lee, v. Blacklieath 30. Lee, v. Woolwich Garrison JUNE. 2. Eltham, v. Eltham 4. Abbey Wood, v. Lessness Park 6. Honor Oak Park, v. Guy’s Hospital 9. Bromley, v. Bromley 16. Orpington, v. A. Miller Hallett’s XI. 18. v. Forest Hill \ 19. v. Wanderers 20. v. Hampstead V Home Week. 21. v. M.C.C. and Ground I 23. v. Gravesend J 30. Charlton Park, v.Charlton Park JULY. 3. Forest Hill, v. Forest Hill 7. Woolwich, v. Woolwich Garrison 11. Blackheath, v. Blackheatli 14. Horley, v. Horley 21. Bickley, v. Bickley Park 28. Lee, v. Eltham AUGUST. 1. Lee, v. Sidcup 4. Richmond, v. Richmond 6. Lee, v. Lessness Park 11. Finsbury, v. Honourable Artillery Company 18. Sidcup, v. Sidcup 20. Tonbridge, v. Tonbridge ) 22. Tun. Wells, v Blue Mantles > Annual Tour* 24. Eastbourne, v. Saffrons ) SEPTEMBER. 1. Lee, v. Richmond * Two-day match. 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