Cricket 1907

152 CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. M ay 23 , 1007. J I M WISIEI t Cl. H. GRAD1DGE & SONS CRICKET BALL MAKERS, 8upply all the Principal Counties and Clubs through­ out the world with their well-known M a rve llou s Tes tim ony . S.S. “ China,” 18th Sept., 1905. Messrs. John Wisden & Co. Dear Sirs,—During the tour of the 1905 Australian Eleven, your “ Special Crown ” Cricket Balls were the only balls used in the Test Matches, and they gave every satisfaction. We also used your “ Special Crown” Balls in nearly all our matches, and I must say that they are the best Balls in the market, being less severe on the hands and bats than other balls, besides lasting as well, nothing but your “ Special Crown ” Balls are used in the International and Inter-State Matches in Australia, and we find them in every way suitable to our hard grounds. All the members of the 1905 Australian XI. used your “ Crawford Exceller ” Bats, and we all like them better than any other bat in the market on account of the handle you put in them. Yours sincerely, J ob D arling , Australian XI. The Balls to be used in Test Matches are now settled. WISDEN’S are the only makes permissible. From Dealers all over the world, and 21 , Oranbourn S t., London, W .G. City Agents: BENETFINK & CO., CHEAPSIDE. F R A N K S U G G , L t d . WHERE THE CRICKET BATS COME FROM. Testimonials from O. B. F ry , G. L. J essop , & c . The Boundarie Bat, 21/-, used in Test Matched be­ tween 1886 and 1906 20 years practical test. L ncashire Witch Bat, 17/6; Ranji, 15/-; Special Club, 12/8; Don, 1 0 -; Klynker, 7 6. Match Cricket Balls, 3/6, 4 6, 5/6. Leg Guards, 26 to 10/6. Shirts, Trousers, and all accessories Write for Catalogue to the actual Manu­ facturers, first quality goods at the lowest possible prices. 54, SNIG HILL, SHEFFIELD, 4, NEW STATION STREET, LEEDS. 8, QUEEN 8TREET, CARDIFF, a n d 12, LORD S T R E E T , L IV E R P O O L . Manufacturers o f all Requisites for Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Racquets, Football, and all British Sports PATENTEE: AND SOL. MAKEK OF TH1 Price Lists Free on Application. Of all First=Class Outfitters and Dealers. Factory, ARTILLERYPLACE.WOOLWICH, Cricket: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 188, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.C. THURSDAY, MAY 23 rd , 1907. $a\riltoit <§osstp. The abstract and briel chronicle of the time.— Hamlet P r io r to Thursday last Hampshire and Middlesex had not met since 1865, when they played at the Cattle Market Ground, Islington. Middlesex then won by an innings and 14 runs, B. B. Cooper making 41 and J. C. Gregory 39, and A. J. Wilkinson and Tom Hearne bowling un­ changed through both innings of Hamp­ shire. Of the victorious eleven only Messrs. W. Nicholson and B. B. Cooper, and Pooley and Catling now remain. M ost followers of the game, I think, will agree that Hampshire deserve to be congratulated upon the fine form they showed in last week’s match. Thanks mainly to Boweli’s two fine innings, Hampshire had none the worst of the game when stumps were finally drawn. Their good show should do much to infuse confidence into the side, for of late years they cannot often have taken the field feeling very assured of success. The County have had many troubles to con­ tend with—financial worries1, absence of players owing to military duties, etc., etc. —and all cricketers would rejoice if the side were to have a successful season in 1907. Their defeat of Derbyshire on Tuesday was the result of good all-round cricket. T h e season is still quite young, but we have already had an instance of the game’ s “ glorious uncertainty.” Wor­ cestershire’s success over Yorkshire last Saturday may prove to have an impor­ tant bearing upon the destination of the Championship, for it is difficult to imagine the county of many acres not making a good struggle for premier position. Ttie result of the match, too, should coivince the Worcestershire authorities that they are far more likely to win matches if their wickets are not over-prepared to the curious extent they have been of recent years. Bowling which is strong enough to enable the Eleven to defeat Yorkshire should prove sufficiently good for most of the other counties. On Tuesday, however, War­ wickshire made over 500 against it, but Lilley, who scored 171, was frequently favoured by fortune. I t is said that Mr. A. H. Hornby sustained a more severe accident at Leicester than was as first supposed, and that he may not be able to play any more this season in consequence. The prospects of Lancashire certainly do not improve as time goes on. M r . N. A. K n o x has contributed an article entitled “ On Past Bow ling” to the Daily Mail. After remarking that “ Pace is to a great extent a gift, like red hair or a taste for collecting postage stamps,” he says :— “ One of the worst pitfalls which will lie in his path is the temptation to over-bowl himself when he is a boy.| It is a strong temptation. At school pace is such a veiy valuable asset. Sheer speed is enough to account for the average school batsman who is not in the first eleven. Wickets in minor matches at a public school are usually of a bumpy and corrugated nature, and a reputa­ tion for being able to “ plug them down ” is worth six wickets an innings to a boy. . . . . . . Mere strength is often a drawback. It is an excellent trait in a man to be able to lift big dumb-bells with his right-hand, but if he means to go through a first-class season he would do well to choose some other form of amusement for his spare time. Personally, I never use dumb-bells or anything of the kind. In the winter I play golf whenever I can. I play for pleasure and not with any idea of training tor the cricket season, but I play left-handed, and my right shoulder conse-