Famous Cricketers No 77 - W.L.Murdoch

321. Surrey and Sussex v Rest of England, Hastings, September 8, 9, 10 (Rest of England won four wickets) * c and b J.T.Hearne 5 254 176 b W.Rhodes 21 141 223-6 SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St Gentlemen v Players 1 2 0 90 57 45.00 - 1 - - County Championship 20 36 2 936 121* 27.52 1 4 4 - Other Sussex matches 3 6 1 61 29* 12.20 - - 2 - Other matches 3 6 0 62 21 10.33 - - 1 - Season 27 50 3 1149 121* 24.44 1 5 7 - Career 321 565 46 14299 321 27.55 16 70 196 24 Bowling O M R W BB Ave Gentlemen v Players (5 ball) 3 1 10 0 - - Career (4 ball) 53 11 } 276 4 1-22 69.00 (5 ball) 53 15 1899 – In England Murdoch could find no sort of form and after eight matches, three of which were won, he resigned the captaincy in favour of Ranjitsinhji and ceased to play for Sussex. At what stage he decided to try the less demanding milieu of Crystal Palace is unclear but he batted well enough in his two appearances for MCC to show he still had something to offer. Against Nottinghamshire he shared an opening partnership of 85 with H.J.Wrathall (115) and in another first wicket partnership he and E.G.Wynyard (89) began with 152 at the expense of Worcestershire. As captain, Murdoch was a difficult act to follow. In the 1900 Wisden , Ranjitsinhji is criticised for his too frequent bowling changes even though he had only been in charge for half a season and by 1902 there were rumours of friction between captain and professionals - unheard of in Murdoch’s day. Except perhaps in the case of poor old Alfred Shaw. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct St Total Total 322. Sussex v MCC, Lord’s, May 3, 4 (MCC won by five wickets) * b A.E.Trott 2 178 145 st F.H.Huish b J.T.Hearne 1 97 133-5 323. Sussex v Worcestershire, Hove, May 15, 16, 17 (Sussex won by five wickets) * c F.L.Bowley b R.D.Burrows12 222 129 b E.G.Arnold 2 109-5 200 324. Sussex v Essex, Leyton, May 18, 19, 20 (Essex won by one wicket) * b F.G.Bull 9 142 191 c and b H.I.Young 10 180 132-9 325. Sussex v Gloucestershire, Hove, May 22, 23 (Gloucestershire won by four wickets) * st J.H.Board b A.J.Paish 17 97 157 c C.L.Townsend b A.J.Paish 15 183 125-6 326. Sussex v Somerset, Hove, May 25, 26, 27 (Sussex won by an innings and 49 runs) * b G.C.Gill 0 479 210 220 327. Sussex v Kent, Tonbridge, June 5, 6, 7 (Sussex won by 112 runs) * b W.M.Bradley 26 154 278 1 b W.M.Bradley 0 350 114 328. Sussex v Middlesex, Lord’s, June 8, 9, 10 (Middlesex won by five wickets) * c W.Roche b A.E.Trott 0 387 466 st G.MacGregor b A.E.Trott 1 212 136-5 329. Sussex v Nottinghamshire, Hove, June 12, 13, 14 (Match drawn) * c J.Iremonger b J.R.Gunn 2 347 180 did not bat - 103-1 377-6d 41