Cricket 1909

A u g u s t 5, 1909. CR ICKET A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 307 The construction of the Demon Drivers is fully described in The E v o lu tio n of a Cricket B a t , which may be obtained free upon applica­ tion. n CRICKET, [IMF ROVED M AKE-KEEP THEIR S HAP -LAS T LO N C E R t________________ CATALOGU E UPON APPLIC ATION . CATALO GU E UPON APPLICATION . M i FMfiAlLS IMPROVEDMAKE-KEEP THEIR SHAPE-LAST LONGER d p CATALOGU E UPON APPLIC ATION . E Q E H 5 9 1 I 8 r,DEMON DRIVERS nU 0 ARE OUTAMD OUT THE BEST, f Q CATALOGU E UPON APPLICATION TO GEO. G. BUSSEY & Co., L td . 36 & 38, Queen Victoria St., LONDON. Manufactory — Timber Mills — PRCKHAM, S.E. ELMSWELL, SUFFOLK. A gents all over the w orld. AT THE SIGN OF THE WICKET. By P. S. A s h le y -C o o p e e . More than usual interest attaches to the match between Kent and Hampshire which commences at Canterbury to-day ow iD g to the fact that it has been set apart as a benefit for Blythe. It was in 1899 that the player named made his first appearance for the county for which he has done so much, and it speaks eloquently for the amount of excellent work he has got through that during his comparatively short career as a first-class cricketer he has obtained more wickets for Kent than any other player in tbe whole history of the county’s cricket; he and Alee Hearne, in fact, are the only players who have taken over a thousand. ranked as the best left-handed bowler the County has ever possessed is a very great one, and one with which Blythe may rest content without coveting the greater honour. Born at Deptford on May 30th, 1879, he has only recently completed his thirtieth year, and should therefore have several seasons of useful work before him, for he does not possess a laboured action and is, moreover, of slight physique. H is first match for Kent was against Yorkshire at Tonbridge in 1899, when, as though to show that “ Coming events cast their shadows before,” he clean bowled Mr. Frank M itchell with the first ball he sent down. He played in only four matches that season, but has been a regular member of the side ever since. Although naturally seen at his best on wet wickets, he is often effective when the ground Photo by] COLIN BLYTHE. It is dangerous to use superlatives, but surely no one would dissent if were claimed for Blythe that he is the best left-handed bowler Kent has ever produced. Some people might be inclined to go further and rank him as the finest of either hand, and it would be a difficult matter to prove the statement inaccurate. But anyone thoroughly cogni­ sant of the real greatness of H illyer would hesitate to make so sweeping an assertion, for the player named was the finest bowler in the world in his day, and his career extended over two decades. In order to prevent misunderstanding let me hasten to add that I never saw Hillyer, who died in 1861, and that my knowledge of him is derived chiefly from what men who played either with or against him have told me. But the distinction of being deservedly [HarcHns & Co., Brighton* is dry, and if the reward he receives from his benefit should prove commensurate with his skill the sum would run well into four figures. Space, unfortunately, w ill not allow his performances to be set out in detail, but reference to one match which he rendered historic must be made. It was against Northamptonshire, on their own ground, two years ago. Blythe took all ten wickets in the first innings for 30 runs and seven in the second for 18, his seventeen victims being secured in the course of a single day’s play. Northants were dismissed for 60 and 39, and beaten by an innings. He accompanied the Kent Eleven on their tour in America in 1903, and has paid two visits to Australia and one to South Africa. He has played an important part in the last ten years’ cricket, and deserves well of the public.