Cricket 1906

A p r i l 19, 1906. CRICKET: A. WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 73 H. GRADIDGE & SONS, Manufacturers o f all R equ is ite s for Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Racquets, Football, an d all British Sports. PATENTEES AND SOLI MAKERc OF T ilt Price Lists Free on Application. O f all F irs t=C la ss Outfitters and D ea lers. Factory, ARTILLERYPLACE.W001WICH. Cricket: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 168, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.G. THURSDAY, APRIL 19 i h , 1906. $a\)tlton The abstract and brief chronicle of the time.— Hamlet W ith the match between Surrey and the Gentlemen of England at the Oval the first-class season began on Easter Monday, but it is not until May 3rd that the first match in the county champion­ ship, Surrey v. Hampshire, begins at the Oval. The West Indians do not begin their tour until June 1 1 th with a match against London County at the Crystal Palace. The first run of the first-class season was scored by Dr. Grace on Monday—a single from a straight drive. On the same day the first hundred of the season was scored by E. H. D. Sewell, who scored 107 in about an hour and three- quarters. Smith bowled the first ball, N. A. Knox took the first wicket, L. O. S. Poidevin was the first batsman out, and Davis made the first catch. S ewell also scored the first hundred af a season two years ago at the Crystal Palace for London Countyagainst Surrey. He then made 181 out of 466 for eight wickets. In 1902 he made 90 at Easter against Surrey for London County. The Entente Cordiale is making great heidway, for, according to the Daily Telegraph, “ In Room No. 4 (of the Paris Salon) M. Rupert Bunny has a collection of women batting.” But before making an offer to buy the picture, collectors had better enquire whether the second “ t ” in “ batting” ought not to be an “ h.” R eferring to the next visit of a South African team to England, P. F. Warner, the captain of the M.C.C. team which is now on its way from South Africa, says, in the Westminster Gazette, that “ the flower of Euglish cricket need have no fear of encountering opponents unworthy of its steel.” M r . W arner adds that “ With the confidence which victory brings in her train, South Africa should now go from strength to strength, for if there is any flaw in the chain it is but the weakness of waxing youth and not of waning age. Advance South Africa ! You have well earned the place you now occupy in the cricket of the world.” W ith the object of providing a memorial over the grave of Victor Barton, an appeal has been made to Hampshire cricketers by Dr. Bencraft and Mr. 0. Robson, who will be glad to receive subscriptions. The list has been headed by the Hampshire County C.C. T he Eton captain for 1907 is C. E. Hatfeild, while E. H. Crake, last years’ Harrow captain, will again lead the team. The Winchester captain is A. G. Pawson. No fewer than nine of last years’ Cam­ bridge eleven will be available this year, H. C. McDonell and E. W. Mann being the two men who have gone down. The captain, C. H. Eyre, will not have a very easy task in choosing his team, for several men are likely to force them­ selves to the front. Among them are W. P. Harrison, R. E. H. Baily, and J. Reunert, who played so well for Harrow last year. I ncluding the captain, W. S. Bird, five, and possibly six, of last year’s team will be available for Oxford. On last year’s form Oxford would seem to have very little chance of winning the Univer­ sity match this season, but the form of so many university cricketers varies so much that it is impossible to guess what a few weeks may bring forth in the way of surprises. A photograph of George Lohmann’s grave at Matjesfontein appears in the Cape Times Weekly Edition of February 28th, and it is pleasing to notice that the grave is kept in exoellent order. D espite the dry weather of the last three or four weeks, the Oral was look­ ing at its very best on Saturday when the meeting of the South London Harriers took place. Apparently the wicket which Apted had prepared for the Monday was as good and firm as any that can be seen in the middle of the season. The worm- casts which worry the suburban connois­ seur in lawns do not seem to have a chance of distinguishing themselves at the Oval. T he members of many county com­ mittees must have envied their brethren of Surrey on Easter Monday when, despite the numerous football matches which were taking place in the London district, some eight thousand pfople appeared at the Oval to see the first match of the season. It often seems to happen nowadays that at the end of April and the beginning of May the weather is almost perfect, which as soon as the cricket Beason begins in earnest down comes the rain and snow and hail. Still, no one could reasonably complain that the weather was too warm on Tuesday and yesterday. I n reply to a correspondent, Field- Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood writes:—“ As you ask me my direct opinion about attending cricket and football matches as a spectacle, I must state that the young had better first learn to use a rifle and then play themselves rather than look on at games.” But I should imagine that most boys play cricket long before they are strong enough to hold a rifle, much less to fire it. T he news that a Baseball Association is to be formed in England, and that immediately after its formation baseball will take the place of cricket, does not seem to have caused any great alarm, and the annual meeting of the M.C.C. will be held as usual at the beginning of May. Baseball in its modern develop­ ment does not, and cannot, appeal in any way to amateurs, and as about ninety- nine per cent, of cricketers are amateurs, they will naturally prefer their own game. A n incident which occurred in a rnatc'i at Hobart (Tasmania) on March 3.d between East Hobart and North Hobart is thus described in the Taemanvxn M ail :— It all happened in this way. Johnstone, the last man (French being absent) was thought to have been bowled, but the umpire, being unable to see the bail removed owing to the bowler going in front of him, could not give a decision. It was then referred to the other umpire, who also gave a not out