Cricket 1914

370 THE WORLD OF CRICKET. J u ly 25. 1914. match a t Leicester, w ith 131 (one five, 21 fours) and 78 as his contributions. His total was higher than in any other year. The wet wickets of 1912 did not suit him, and though he played a number of useful innings he only twice topped 50. Last year he came back to something like his former stan­ dard, and w ith scores of 100 v. Hampshire at Southampton, 100 v. Worcestershire at Coalville, and 93 v. Sussex and 88 v. Northamptonshire at Leicester showed his best form on at least four occasions. This season he has played a number of good innings and two long ones— his thirteenth century — 103 v. Worcestershire at Coalville, and 97 v. Kent at Catford. 8 W i n i e - e a i . ’ s B a t t i n g A v e r a g e s in F i r s t - c l a s s C r i c k e t . SEASON. INNS. N.0. R. AVER H.S. SEASON. INNS. N O. R. AVER. H.S. 1 8 9 8 .. 8 0 115 14-37 43 1 9 0 8 .. 36 0 730 20-27 75 1 8 9 9 .. 22 1 310 14-76 39 I 9 0 9 . . 3 i 2 361 12-24 57 * 1 9 0 0 .. 42 2 864 21-60 116 1 9 1 0 . . 33 1 917 28-65 97 I 9 O I . . 30 O 582 I 9-40 74 I 9 I I . . 46 1 1391 30-91 150 1 9 0 2 .. 4 2 2 844 2 1-10 88 1 9 1 2 . . 37 2 623 17-80 70* 1903 •• 42 O 986 23-47 104 I 9 1 3 . . 39 1 I I 16 29-36 100 I 9 0 4 . . 41 4 1057 28-56 82 I 9 I 4 t • 28 1 656 24-2Q 103 1905 •• 39 2 1003 27*10 137 I 9 0 6 . . 34 2 873 27-28 174 Totals 595 25 13,426 23-55 174 I 9 0 7 . . 45 4 998 24-34 130* t To July 23 inclusive. J. N. P. “ U n o f f ic ia l C r ic k e t .” It was the long-limbed curate of the parish church in a slum street near King’s Cross who explained to me the meaning of “ unofficial cricket.” In the glow of a summer’s evening, a glow which temporarily lit up the dismal street in which the church is situated, scores of boys of all ages were playing cricket. There were also a few intrepid “ flappers ” taking part. The curate, who has a worldly liking for the flash of a red ball on a green sward, and whose muscular arms and keen eye won him a “ Blue ” not many seasons ago, was not at all scan­ dalised that the youngsters should disport themselves almost upon the very threshold of the church. “ If I had a lot of money,” he said, “ I would take all these little scoundrels up to Lord's. I am sure it would do them much more good than one of my sermons.” Just then a beaming youth accosted the cleric. “ I ’ve found a safe place, sir. I t ’s all right. Blank wall on one side, and houses that are going to be torn down on the other.” The cleric grinned with sheer delight. “ I suppose you think I am completely mad,” he said, “ but I cannot resist anything at all like cricket.” We all adjourned to the side street discovered by the intelli­ gent youth, where, under the benevolent eye of a fat policeman, sides were chosen. The principal characters in what proved to be a very sporting game were : (i) the curate, (2) a red­ headed railwayman, (3) the intelligent youth, and (4) a girl about 14 who also possessed red hair, likewise an extraordinary energy. She was the backbone of her side, and her remarks to the incompetent male members thereof were like the manners of Kipling’s bandar-log— not always nice, but invariably to the point. The ball we used was an ancient lawn tennis ball, and the bat was innocent of splice. There was no umpire ; but when a particularly close run out occurred, the policeman was appealed to, and gave his verdicts with all the dignity of a High Court Judge. The red-headed railwayman was a demon bowler. He captained one side, while the curate, a mighty slogger, led the other, supported by the intelligent youth and the ginger Amazon. This latter team, composed of seven members, was dismissed for 48 runs. The intelligent youth was put on to bowl by the curate and dismissed him who writes for an inglorious duck, much to the delight of the Amazon. A diminutive lad known by the euphonious name of “ The Rat ” compiled 14 runs in a manner which, though delightfully original, did not remotely resemble cricket. Finally the last hope of our side, the railwayman, came in to bat, and the curate took the ball. It was a duel of giants ! The railwayman hit like a baseball player at the running slow deliveries of the clerical gentleman. There followed a mighty slog through the already broken window of one of the doomed houses and a long hunt for the ball. At this juncture our score stood at 44. Another boundary, and we should tie. But alas for our hopes ! The cleric was too subtle for our champion, who was clean bowled by the next delivery. The game was over. As we wandered homewards, the curate turned to me and said : “ You may have perceived that there is method in my madness. The great thing we have to contend with here is indifference to the vital things of life and a desire for gaudy amusements. I do wish I could take those good folk up to Lord’s, though ! ” Probably he will manage it. He is the sort of man one can count upon to achieve what he wants very much ! D. C. ------------ + ------------ Notes on th e L a n c a s h ir e v% L e ic e ste rsh ire M a tch . B y G. A. B r o o k in g . P a r k i n was the central figure of the game. I watched him closely from most parts of the ground, and I think Lancashire have in him a really good bowler. He is right-hand medium to fast, bowls over the wicket with a free swinging action, and mixes up leg breaks and slower balls with his usual brand quite cleverly. If he were playing county cricket regularly he would make a big name. I believe. Except for Riley and Joyce in the first innings and Wood in the second, the Leicestershire batting was feeble. The oftener I see Cecil Wood the more I am impressed with his great ability in his own resolutely defensive style. If 1 had to choose a team to go to Australia this fall he would be one of my first choices. He had hard lines in the manner of his dismissal. The ball was pitched off the wicket ; he missed his stroke ; the leather dropped from his pad and was turned on to the wicket, trickling there with just sufficient force to remove the bails. Ernest Tyldesley played really well ; and when the time comes—as come it must at last— for J. T. to retire he will know that the family name is in good hands. F. W . Musson, making his first appearance for Lancashire, did little, but shaped nicely, and worked hard in the field. Brown was the best of the visitors’ bowlers. He always worried the batsmen, and wanted a lot of playing. “ T h e T o n ic ”— edited by present Etonians—was on sale at Lord's during the Eton v. Harrow match. A copy has reached our office, and in the next number we hope to have more to say about it. Meanwhile it seems worth while to reproduce here the verses which adorn the title-page :— “ I am The Tonic, to take if you choose As a cure for what’s known as ‘ The Hump ’ or *The Blues ’ ; For at Lord’s there are moments (I’m open to bet) When from ‘ Blues ’ who are cricketing 4Blues ’ you will get. If you catch the infection I cure the disease, Take a dose of me often, whenever you please. A Sixpenny price is— though priceless the Boon ! You’ll take me ? Thanks awfully ! Good afternoon.” “ T r e a t m e n t ,” too, will bear reproduction for its epigram­ matic value :— “ Dogs lick the hand that strike them. Here at Eton The striking hand licks us, when we are beaten. We grin and bear the swishing, bless the donor, And murmur, tingling, ‘ Floreat Etona ! * ” It is a pity the spirit of this is not emulated in primary schools, where, one gathers, “ the striking hand’s ” owner is often the recipient of a summons for assault ! TENNIS COURT BORDER NETS, good colour, especially prepared with strong line attached to net at top and bottom ; easy to erect or take away ; will not rot, can be left out in all weathers ; 25 yds. by 2 yds., 6s. 6d. ; by 3 yds., 7s. 6d. ; by 4 yds., 9s. 6d. ; any size made. Standards for same, 10 ft. high, is. each. Garden Netting, 30 sq. yds. for is. Orders over 5s. carriage paid. List of Fancy Tents free. Write for FLAG List.—H. J. GASSON, Net Works, Rye. ARMY TENTS, suitable for gardens, cricket or camping out, 40 ft. round, with pegs, poles, lines, mallet, etc., complete ; tent bag included, 33s. each ; specially selected, 37s. 6d. ; cheaper kinds kept ; list free, stout Waterproof Canvas Floors for same, 12s. 6d. each.—H. J. 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