Cricket 1909

i 36 CRICKET A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. M ay 20, 1909. H. GRADIDGE A n d S O N S , Manufacturers of all R e q u i s i t e s fo r C r i c k e t , L a w n T e n n i s , R a c q u e t s , H o c k e y , F o o t b a l l , and all British Sports. Used b y ^ , all the y j Leading Players. ^ Made in Men's, Small Men’s, or Ccllege, 6, 5, 4, A 8 sizes. PATENTEES AND SOLE MAKERS OF THE P r i c e L i s t s F r e e o u A p p l i c a t i o n . Of all First-Class f* Outfitters n and Dealers. \J1 R eblad ln ? a S p ecia lity. Factory; A rtillery P lace , WOOLWICH. URINE 99 For cleaning and whitening Buckskin and Canvas Boots and Shoes, Cricket Pads, &c. Packed in spun zinc container,with sponge. 01 all dealers, or post free 6 d . WILL NOT RUB OFF OR CAKE. STANLEYFEAST&CO, KKSTil Cricket: A WEEKL y RECORD OF THE GAME. 168, UPPER THAMES STREET, LONDON, E.C. THURSDAY, MAY 2 0 t h , 1909. Pavilion Gossip. The abstract and brief chronicle of the time. — Hamlet. A t Leyton last week the Australians gave overwhelming proof of their run- getting powers on hard wickets by making 60S) for the loss of six wickets against Essex in five hours and fifty minutes. There was plenty of variety in the County’s bowling, but, as will be seen, runs came at the rate of over a hundred an hour throughout. It was a bright, interesting, and very meritorious per­ formance, the honours of which were carried off by two new-comers in the persons of Ransford and Bardsley. Although the Australians were naturally disappointed in failing to pull off the game, the success of the two young left­ handers must have proved very welcome to the side. The retirement of Darling and the absence of H ill caused the present team to come over without a left-handed batsman who had proved his worth in England. Bardsley found his form in his first game, and Ransford, after a couple of disappointments, was seen at his best in an innings of 174. Prophecy in connection with cricket is a hazardous thing, but it appears probable that in the pair named Australia will find worthy successors to Hill and Darling. R a n s f o r d ’ s hundreds in first-class matches now number ten, as follow s:— Score. Season. 152 Victoria v. Queensland, at Melbourne...1904-5 136 Rest of Australia v. N.S.W., at Sydney 1906-7 102 Victoria v. England, at Melbourne ...1907-8 109 Victoria v. S. Australia, at Melbourne...1907-8 129 Victoria v. N.S.W., at Sydney ...........1907-8 131 Victoria v. S. Australia, at Adelaide ...1908-9 171* Victoria v. S. Australia, at Melbourne...1908-9 ...1908-9 ... 1909 J- Victoria v. N.S.W ., at Sydney 174 Australia v. Essex, at Leyton * Signifies not out. Bardsley’s three-figure innings a re:— 107 N.S.W. v. W. Australia, at Fremantle...1906-’ N.S.W. v. England, at Sydney N.S.W. v. S. Australia, at Sydney N.S.W. v. Victoria, at Sydney The Eleven v. Rest of Australia, M elbourne................................. Australia v. Essex, at Leyton Ransford was born on March 20th, 1885, and Bardsley on December 7th, 1883. 10S 119 192 264 219 ..1907-8 ..1908-9 ...1908-9 at ...1908-9 ... 1909 D e s p it e the hours of play - twelve to two, and 2.45 to six— desired by the Australians, as many as 525 runs were made on the first day of the match for six wickets. The fact is worthy o f men­ tion inasmuch as it is the largest number ever made by an Australian team in England in a single da}'. The previous highest score was 513, also for six wickets, against Hampshire at Southampton four years ago, when Gregory scored 134, Hill 115 and Noble 101. T h e game will alwavs be remembered on account of the magnificent stand of 355 for the third wicket by Bardsley and Ransford. The pair made the runs, with scarcely a mistake, in three hours and a- quarter, and credited themselves with the largest partnership ever indulged in by two left-handers in a first-class match. When Ransford was caught at mid-on only thirteen more runs were needed to set up a fregh record for the third wicket — to surpass, in fact, the 367 put on by John and William Gunn for Notts against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge six years ago. So the “ best on record” in that particular line is still credited to Englishmen. E s s e x accomplished a really fine feat in saving the game, and in staying in the whole of the last day and scoring 329 for five wickets in 5 hours and 10 minutes. What would have happened had they won the toss, and had first use of the perfect wicket, can only be surmised: they would certainly not have had the depressing experience of going in against a total of over six hundred and of commencing their innings in a bad light against the fast bowling of Cotter. As it was, they gained no little distinction in staving off a reverse, notwithstanding that they still required 117 runs when stumps were drawn to save the innings defeat and that O’Connor was not playing against them. What they accomplished in their second innings should give them confidence in their future games. The Australians failed to pull off the niatch owing to their wish to play for shorter hours than is customary in this country being acceded to. T h e match again tempts one to ask why, in first-class cricket, a side should not be allowed to close its innings at any time during the match. As the law stands at present a team cannot apply the closure before lunch on the second day, the consequence being that valuable time is often wasted in runs being made un­ necessarily. It stands to reason, I think, that if a side outplays its opponents to such an extent on the first day— as Surrey did Hampshire at the Oval the week before last, and the Australians did Essex a week ago — that they could wish to declare first thing on the following morn­ ing, they should be allowed to reap the advantage to which they are entitled. The matter came prominently to the fore eleven years ago, when Yorkshire made 510 runs without loss in a day against Derbyshire at Chesterfield and the other players, in order to give their side time to win, threw away their wickets. I n a match between the Leys School, Cambridge, and Trinity College Pelicans on the Leys ground on the 12th inst., the home, side had scored over 60 when it was discovered by one of the bowlers that the pitch was too long. On being measured it was found to exceed the regulation length by 5J feet. Mr. F. C. N e w t o n , the Honorary Secretary of the Derbyshire County C.C., has received an intimation from