Cricket 1907

A p r il 11, 1907. CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 57 C r i c k e t : A WEEKLY RECORD OF TEE GAME. 168, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.C. THURSDAY, APRIL 11 t h , 1907 . $ a \ n l to i t <§osstp. The abstract and brief chronicle of the time.— Photo by] I t was at the commencement of the memorable season of 1882 that the first number of Cricket saw the light. During the quarter of a century which has since elapsed no effort has been spared to make the publication a faith­ ful chronicle of the chief events in connection with the game in all parts of the world. That the endeavour has met with no small amount of success, the apprecia­ tive communications frequently received and the kind references con­ stantly made to the paper in the Press con­ clusively prove. In 1882 this journal could claim the distinction of being the only paper in the world solely devoted to the game, and to-day, notwithstanding the vastly increased atten­ tion bestowed upon cricket, can still do so. S e v e r a l of the many authorities on the game who have been associ­ ated with Cricket have jo in e d the great majority, and of those who contributed to the first volume very few remain. From two of these—Canon Lyttelton and Dr. W. G. Grace— come kindly and muoh- appreciated greetings in celebration of the inter­ esting event in our career. OE the many others who have been id en tified w ith the paper, the following maybe specially men­ tioned :—Mr. C. W. Alcock, the founder, Mr. F. S. Ashley-Cooper, the Rev. W. K. R. Bedford, the Earl of Bessborough, Mr. W. A. Bettesworth, Mr. Charles Box, Mr. E. B. Y. Christian, Richard Daft, Mr. F. Gale, Mr. A. J. Gaston, the Hon. R. Grimston, Mr. A. Haygarth, Sir A. W. L. Hemming, the Rev. R. S. Holmes, Mr. F. F. Kelly (of America), Mr. J. B. Payne, Mr. J. N. Pentelow, the Rev. J. Pycroft, Lord Chas. Rusiell, Mr. P. C. Standing, the Rev. H. A. Tate, Mr. A. D. Taylor, R. Thoms, and the Hon. J. S. Udal. In order to mark the completion of a quarter of a century’s publication, the majority of the survivors of the above have con­ tributed signed articles to the present issue. ------ V ernon R an sfo r d , by means of an innings of 136, was responsible for the chief feature of the match played between New South Wales and the Rest of Aus­ tralia, at Sydney, last month, for the benefit of S. E. Gregory. “ Not Oat,” of the Referee, says of him:— He cut and drove to the off and leg- glided with the happy precision of that old- time champion left-hander, Harry Moses. Starting like one at the top of his form, and with plenty of pluck in a dull light against Cotter, he played an innings which will not readily he forgotten. On Saturday he was THE LATE SIR A. W. L. HEMMING, O.O.M.O. (See page 59.) [Elliott its Fry, London. likened to William Bruce, the brilliant left­ hander. But his strokes, if on the whole less brilliant perhaps than Bruce’ s, were more accurate, and far less risky. He will probably develop into a better and sounder batsman than Bruce was Two years ago Ransford made a score of 152 against Queensland on the Mel­ bourne ground. T h e pronounced success of this youth­ ful batsman reminds one that at the present time Victoria is producing several young cricketers who bid fair to enable their State to challenge supremacy with New South Wales in the near future. In addition to Ransford there are Carroll, T . Horan, Vaughan, and Hazlitt. Furthermore, Mr. L. S. Miller, of Mel­ bourne University, has again given notice that at the next meeting of the Victorian Cricket Association he will move—“ That a sub-Committee, consisting of seven or more, be appointed with all necessary powers to inquire into and report to the Association, at or prior to the next annual meeting, upon the best meansof improving the game in Victoria.” T h e receipts of the great match at Sydney amounted to £788 9s. 7jd., and it was estimated that about £630 would be handed over to Gregory or invested on his behalf. From the score of the match, which appears on pige 60, it will be seen that the success­ ful side received the assistance of several New South Welshmen. Mr. Haygarth would have entitled the match, “ New South Wales v. Australia (with C. W. and S. E. Gregory, J. J. Kelly and A. J. Bow­ den)” —a state of affairs which recalls the glori­ ous days Surrey ex­ perienced a century ago, when, in their matches with England, they more than once allowed their cpponents the ser­ vices of their best man, William Beldham, and still won. T h e r e was some fast scoring in the second innings of Central Cumberland against Balmain, in Sydney, on February 9th, by G. Payne and H. Cranney, who put on 185 without loss in 85 minutes, Payne making 115 and his partner 67. The left-hander hit nine 6’s and ten 4’s, and Cran­ ney nine 4’s. Payne scored 16 from an over of Blaxland, 21 from one of Sullivan (three 6’s in succession), 21 from one of Whitting (two 4’s aud two 6’s in succession), and 16 from one of Kemmis (two 6’s and one 4). I n the early part of last month a team left Sydney, under the auspices of the New South Wales Cricket Association, for West Australia to take part in three or four matches. Among those chosen for the trip were A. J. Hopkins, C. G. Macartney, E. R. Bubb, W. Bards- ley, E. L. Waddy, J. C. Barnes, A. C. K. Mackenzie, A. Sullivan, andW. M’Intyre. T h e Sydney Grammar School accom­ plished a fine performance on the Redfern Oval, on February 16th, at the expense of the Scots College. . The latter scored but 57 and 81, whilst the Sydney Gram