Cricket 1907

168 CRICKET : A WEEKLY^RECORD OF THE GAME. M a t 30, 1907. When Lancashire played Yorkshire at Old Trafford for Briggs’ benefit thirteen years ago, the home authorities had given instructions for the wicket to be covered, but, to quote Wisden, “ Lord Hawke objf c'ing to iisk so much on the toss, a fresh pitch was marked out.” Either captain in the match at Chichester would, therefore, have had a precedent for raising an objection had he felt so disposed, but I question whether the protest would have been upheld in the event of the question being submitted to the M.C.C. In the course of an extraordinary day’s cricket at Lord’s last Thursday, when thirty wickets fell before the drawing of stumps, Jessop’ s batting in each innings of Gloucestershire was remarkable. He not only made the highest score in each innings, but on each occasion obtained more runs than any three of hie confreres put together. In his first innings he scored 41 out of 42 in half-an-hour, and in his second 30 out of 37 in similar time. Altogether, therefore, he made 71 out of 79 in an hour against Trott and Tarrant on a wicket favouring the bowlerB. Shall I be accused of exaggerating, I wonder, if I state this to be one of the most re­ markable events of the season ? T he opening of the match between the second elevens of Surrey and Yorkshire at the Oval last Thursday was remarkable owing to the fact that all the first five wickets of the former were taken by Djlphin off the bowling of R. W. Frank : Baker, st Dolphin, b Frank.....38 Ducat, st Dolphin, b Frank..........34 Moulder, c Dolphin, b Frank ... 3 Spring, st Dolphin, b Frank ... 0 Platt, st Dolphin, b F rank.......... 1 There is not, I believe, an exact parallel to this so far as first-class cricket is concerned, the nearest approach that I can recall being furnished by the Sussex v. Notts, match at Hove two years ago, when the first five wickets fell as follows : A. O. Jones, c Butt, b C o x ..........69 Iremonger, c Butt, b Tate .......... 3 Gunn (J.), c Butt, b Cox ..........50 Gunn (G.), st Butt, b T a te..........12 Hardstaft, st Butt, b Tate .......... 2 Even more remarkable, however, was the success of Oates in the match against Middlesex at Trent Bridge last August, when he accounted for six wickets oft' the reel—five in succession whilst Hallam was bow ling:— Trott, c Oates, b Hallam ... ..........55 W. P. Harrison, c Oates, b Hallam ... 22 L. G. Colbeck, c Oates, b Hallam ... 3 G. G. Napier, c Oates, b Hallam.......... 1 Mignon, c Oates, b Hallam................. 1 J. Douglas, c Oates, b Wass ..........13 The above represents the last five wickets in the first innings of Middlesex and the first in their second. Oates not only took all the five wickets off Hallam, but caught each of them, and therefore his performance presents an even more regular appearance than does that of Dolphin mentioned above. I t has more than once fallen to my lot to refer in “ Gossip ” to the wicket- keeping of Oates. It last week’s match at Leic:ster he again distinguished him- H. GRADIDGE & SONS, Manufacturers of all Requisites for Cricket, Lawn Tennis, Racquets, Football, and all British Sports PATENTEJ AND SOI MAliEK OF THJ Used by Players. * Price Lists Tree on Application. Of all First=Class Outfitters and Dealers. Factory, ARTILLERYPLACE. WOOLWICH, Cricket: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 168, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.C. THURSDAY, MAY 30 th , 1907. The abstract and brief chronicle of the time.— Handel A good deal has been made of the fact that last week’s match at Chichester between Sussex and Hampshire was played on a wicket which had been protected from the rain. Personally, I fail to see why any objection should be made to such a precaution being taken, for in many cases the action might prove the means of a whole day’s play being the result, whereas otherwise no cricket would have been possible. MilWISDEIICl. 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 Matches be­ tween 1886 and 1906 20 years practical test. CRICKET BALL MAKERS, Supply all the Principal Counties and Clubs through­ out the world with their well-known M a rve llou s Te s tim ony . The Inns of Court Hotel, 18th Sept., 1905. Messrs. John Wisden & Co., London. Dear Sirs,—Before leaving for home, I should like to bear testimony to the Bats you supplied me with and which I have used nearly all the tour. I must also speakin praise of your “ Special Crown” Cricket Balls, which, of course, we have used in all the Tests and many other Matches, they are less hard on the hands, in my opinion, than any other make.—Yours faithfully, W arw ick W . A rmstrong . 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, Granbourn S t., London, W C City Agents: BENETFINK & CO., CHEAPSIDE. 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 , LIVERPOOL.