James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

0 3 0 t won one out of eight matches , and that one victory only by an opportune turn of the scale . It was a gloomy season , but there were still some redeeming features to lighten the darkness , and not the least in brilliance was the trans- formation of Mr. J. M. Cotterill , in a few years from a mere hitter to a bats- m a nof very high pretensions , and certainly the most accomplished amateur whomthe campaign of 1873 brought into fame . It would be something of a platitude to assert that Sussex is in want of a bowler or bowlers , for the truth of the assertion is patent , and Sussex must start off on the same quest as Surrey. One legs or one arms need not apply . Kentmadea specious show at the first , but it was not an effort that could be sustained , and later events showed that the resurrection was of a very wild description . Still the same old cry, " Bowlers wanted," and none to answer, Willsher (nominally retired ) having still , as he has done for many a year , to bear the whole of the bowling on his own shoulders . There was to have been a Kentish wonder in one Mr. Coles , and, certainly , he inflicted injuries enough on the Sussex Eleven at Lord's to make his debût forcibly remembered, but it was a one day's's wonder after all , and the match against Surrey at the Oval provoked serious doubts as to his pretensions even to County form . It would be pleasant to see Kent regain its prestige of older date , but at present internal divisions seem to weaken the weak forces it has at its best , and the motto of "Invicta " that once used to become it so thoroughly , gives now merely the idea of a mockery . Middlesex remains stationary , as it usually does . Not that anything in the way of disparagement is intended , for the boundaries of the county are elastic enough to please the most fastidious . The area of its opera- tions though , is so restricted that it is apt to be overlooked . Five matches were played , all in London, and three of these were lost , so that the balance was on the wrong side of the account . The Walkers made Middlesex as the Graces made Gloucestershire , and their influence still rules the councils of the county , as it will and should do as long as Middlesex is anything more than a namein the world of cricket . Middlesex fielding is a term that implies perfec- tion itself , and Mr. V. E. Walker showed, in the return match with Surrey, that he had lost none of its ancient cunning. There is an air of resolute business about the fielding of that famed Southgate family that is positively refreshing , when your interests are on their side . If you are in search for statistics you will find that Mr. I. D. Walker is still the mainstay of the county with the bat ; an able captain , too, as successor to his brother . You will glean , too, from the figures , that Howitt has not been as effective with the ball as of old, and you will possibly marvel when you discover that Mr. Rutter does succeed in getting so many and such good wickets . Awonderfully good bats- man, too , has the county discovered in Mr. W. G. Gilbert , a cousin of the Graces, and a marvel in patience in Mr. P. F. Hadow, just fresh from the glory of the Eton and Harrow match of 1873. There are other interesting details , possibly , but time presses and I must be gone . Public School cricket was above the average in 1873. Harrowhad a strong eleven at every point , and Eton had to succumb, though not without a hard fight . Harrow had an exceptional batsman in P. F. Hadow, who won his spurs in County Cricket at the first attempt, and Eton a very good all -round cricketer in F. M. Buckland, whohas since migrated to Oxford and should there do good. Eton beat Winchester easily enough , but the Wykehamists were by no means a weak eleven , and their captain , J. Shuter , should render a good account of himself