Cricket 1910

M a y 1 2 , 1 9 1 0 . CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 1 2 1 “ D o I wake, do I dream, or is visions about ? ” The Philadelphia Record re­ cently published a picture of the G.O.M., and described him as a “ Nonogenarian Golfer.” Poor ‘ W .G .’ ! T h e proceeds of the match between Middlesex and Kent, which commences at Lord’s on Monday next, will be set aside as a benefit for Pougher, who did excellent all-round work for Leicester­ shire for many years, and has been a member of the M.C.C. ground-staff since 1887. Born at Leicester in April, 1865, it was owing to a good performance in the Colts’ match of 1885 that he was given a trial for the County— against Surrey at the Oval. A l­ though he did nothing startling on that occasion, he showed that he had good cricket in him, and the County authorities did well to persevere with him. In his two matches against Warwickshire in 1836 he took twenty-three wickets for less than five runs each, but what made his reputation was his performance that year against Surrey on the Leicester ground. Surrey had an exceptionally strong side at that time, but Pougher took thirteen of their wickets for 54 runs— six for 10 and seven for 44 — and Leicestershire won by ten wickets. T h e feat with which his name will always be associated, however, was accomplished in the match between the Australians and M.C C. and Ground at Lord’s in June, 1896. Everyone who follows the game at all closely will know that the visitors lost their first four wickets for 18, and that then- innings closed without another run being added. Pougher, going on for Attewell, who had commenced the bowling with J. T . Hearne, delivered 15 balls and, without having a run made from them, took five wickets— those of Kelly, Hill, Trumble, Eady and McKibbin. A t his best Pougher was de­ cidedly far above the average as an all-round player, and there can be little doubt that, if he had been associated with one of the leading first-class counties throughout his career, he would have developed into a Test match player. But, although he was tempted to leave , Leicestershire, he proved'loyal to the county of his birth, and cer­ tainly did not receive adequate recognition o f his services when Leicestershire and Yorkshire played for his benefit in 1900. H is experience of cricket abroad has been confined to a trip to Australia with Shaw and Shrewsbury in 1837-88, and a visit to South Africa in 1891-2 as a mem ­ ber of Mr. Read’s team. It was during the latter tour that, in conjunction with Martin, of Kent, he caused eight wickets o f his opponents—X X I I . of the Country Clubs, at Cape Town—to fall to consecu­ tive balls. S m it h , of Surrey, had a most successful time last week, taking in three and a-half innings twenty-one wickets for 149 runs. In the absence of J. N. Crawford and Rushby a great deal will depend on him, and if coming events cast their shadows before Surrey should have a very succes- ful time in store. It is probable, how- * % : A . D . PO U G H E ll. by] [Hatckina J; Co., Briy ever, that the need of another bowler of the first rank will be felt before the season is very far advanced, especially if the weather improves and cricketers experi­ ence a succession of hard, true wickets, for E . C. Kirk will appear very seldom, if indeed at all, and Hitch, although possessing plenty of pace, is not a bowier who inspires one with a great amount of confidence. Lees, most willing of workers, is, fortunately, still available, and, if at his best, might enable the side to win most of its matches, especially if, as seems probable, Mr. Knox plays occasion­ ally. Last year Smith, in all first-class matches, took ninety-five wickets for just under twenty and a-half runs each, and clearly proved himself to be, on a wicket to his liking, one of the most deadly bowlers in the whole country. More than one member o f the Australian team told me that, on the strength of what he did against them in their second match with Surrey, they regarded him as the best bowler they met during their tour. I n the Duke of Devonshire and their former captain, Mr. S. Hill Wood, Derbyshire have two sup­ porters such as rpany other counties must long to possess. The former guaranteed this week’s match with Sussex on the Derby ground, and the latter has made himself largely responsible that the game which commences at Glossop to - day against Lancashire shall not in­ volve his County Club in any financial loss. B. O. L a g d e n , the old Marl- burian, has already represented Oxford at cricket, Bugby football, hockey and rackets, whilst A. J . Evans, a son of A. H . Evans, and an old Wykehamist, has done so at cricket, golf and rackets, and is said to stand a good chance o f ap­ pearing for his Alma Mater at tennis and Association football as well. Both Lagden and Evans are at Oriel. J. E. Ireland, another old Marlburian, has ap­ peared for Cambridge at cricket, golf and hockey. A n attempt is to be made to establish a Bristol Week, somewhat on the lines of the Canterbury Week. This year it will be in July, when Lancashire and Middle­ sex will be the visiting sides. It is hoped that at least a dozen tents will be erected on the ground by various sporting and social clubs, and that the services of a band will be obtained. The experiment will be watched with interest, e s p e c ia lly b y G lo u c e s te r s h ir e cricketers, for should it prove a success something of the same sort would probably be tried on other grounds in the county. Perhaps in time even the Oval— but, no ; one cannot possibly con­ ceive prettily-decked tents there, or elegantly - dressed ladies parading round the ground and taking afternoon tea in front o f the football stand or near the old tree. But although the gasometers would, as Mr. E. B. Y. Christian has suggested, make excellent bandstands, the time for the Kennington Festival is not yet. T h e match between Hampshire and Woodbrook Club and Ground, which had