Cricket 1911

128 CR ICKET : A W EEK LY RECORD OF THE GAME. M ay 6,1911. Pub l i c S c h o o l Cricket in 1911. (Continued from page 107.) B y C. M. SCOTT. WESTMINSTER. recent years the Westminster elevens have hardly been as strong as they were formerly, but as the five old choices available this season are all useful players, it is hoped the side will win quite a respectable number of their matches. On the whole the prospects appear to be distinctly rosy. G. B. F. Rudd, who was second in the averages last year, is expected to be at the School for two more seasons, and as he has already performed very creditably should do even better during the period mentioned. R. R. Rawson is the -captain. He was disappointing last year, but will doubtless return to form before long and justify the high opinions which were formed of him in 1909. He is a very versatile cricketer, being able to bowl equally well with either hand, keep wicket safely and bat left-handed in forcing style. J. M. de Slubicki can make runs, as can A. R. I. Mellor, though neither did a great deal last year. Great hopes, however, are centred in the former’s doings this season. A. K. Gilmour has an unattractive style, but can make runs when the attack has lost its sting : he bowls medium pace right hand and will probably open the bowling with his captain. A wicket keeper is wanted to take the place of—or at least, understudy—the latter, as Rawson will most certainly turn his attention seriously to bowling, and here it may be mentioned that last year’s vice-captain, E. C. K. Clarke, for two seasons the best bowler in the side, has not yet a successor. F. C. Cozens, the only fast bowler in the School, is expected to find a place in the Eleven, as is F. R. C. Cobbold, a useful bowler but (as yet) a poor bat. B. Smith is a steady scorer, though very clumsy : however, he is regarded in the light of a possible run-getter this season. On the whole, the Eleven should be distinctly better than those which have represented the School in recent years. The only weak spot seems to be the scarcity of class bowlers. The batting of the side should be all that can be desired, and Rudd especially should be well worth watching. DULW ICH . Dulwich cricket, one is sorry to say, seems to be on the down grade. Last year they could claim only one victory, and that against their own masters, in thirteen matches ; and the year before they had a predominating number of losses. Only three of last year’s side remain, and it is difficult to believe they will have a good season. Our informant sums up the prospects pessimistically when he writes, “ We can’t very well do worse than last year.” But this is hardly the right way to look at things at the very beginning of the season. We are continually hearing of ‘ ‘ the glorious uncertainty of cricket,” and we would advise the Dulwich boys to bear the phrase in mind and remember that, until the winning hit has been made, anything may happen. Little of note is to be gleaned from our Dulwich corres­ pondent. The captain is E. G. Shand, who took part in only half of last year’s matches. His batting average (28), however, augurs well for this season, and in R. K. Nunes is a left-handed batsman of more than average merit. The other old colour, E. W. Waite, is described as “ a good slow bowler,” but his figures for last year hardly bear that out as the average cost of his thirty-four wickets was close on 22 ; however, it requires some bowling to capture as many as thirty-four wickets, and he may come on greatly this summer. At any rate he will be needed, as there is no bowler of much promise among the candidates for the Eleven. C. R. Lowe and C. V. Arnold appear to be the best of the batsmen, and neither should experience much difficulty in obtaining his colours. SHERBORNE. . One fears that at Sherborne cricket takes rather a secondary place compared with football, and although occasionally the School possesses a really strong Eleven, there is as a rule not quite the amount of enthusiasm for the game that one might expect. This year they suggest being a stronger team than for some seasons past. Seven of last season’s Eleven are left, all of the bowlers being still available. I. N. Mason captains the side, and this is his fourth season as the School wicket-keeper. He should prove an excellent captain, too, for he is particularly keen and alive to every turn in the game. Dorset gave him a trial last August with excellent results. A. W. Carr is a batsmen who is worth a place in any school team. His average of a little over 45 for last season’s work speaks for itself, and he is likely to do a great deal better as time goes on. He was tried for Notts last August, and though he did little will not be forgotten by the County authorities, especially as in 1908 he headed the Notts 2nd X I. averages with 48 runs an innings. He is apt to be rather reckless at times, but doubtless self-restraint will come to him. He is also a good field and useful fast bowler, but he cannot continue bowling for long at a stretch. G. E. M. Gray and E. H. Bramall, who were too young last year to be really good, are expected to make a great many runs. The former is a slow left-hand bowler who, if he can get more spin on his deliveries, should take plenty of wickets. C. Corfe is the steadiest bowler on the side, and had a highly successful season last year. G. D. Coleman bowls a very fast ball and looks rather terrifying during his run ; like so many fast bowlers, he is very erratic at times. P. A. T. Simey is a beautiful field, but with neither bat nor ball has he con­ firmed the good opinion which in 1908 was formed of his powers. W. M. Robertson and E. Saxon of the 2nd X I. should both find places for their batting, whilst R. C. Lott, who seemed to have no luck last year, and possibly A. D. Crowther may be included for their bowling. One expects Sherborne to win a large percentage of their matches, including those with Tonbridge and Radley. 1. N. MASON, Sherborne.