James Lillywhiite's Cricketers' Annual 1874

P A R T I I. C H A P T E R I. T H EM A R Y L E B O N E C L U BI N1 8 7 3. OFFICERS FOR 1873.-President, Viscount Chelsea , M.P. Treasurer , T. Burgoyne. Secretary , R. A. Fitzgerald . Trustees , The Earl of Dudley, the Earl of Sefton . Committee , Hon. F. Ponsonby, W. Nicholson , R. Broughton, Hon. S. Ponsonby, H. W. Fellows , H. Perkins , V. E. Walker, Lieutenant- Colonel Parnell , C. Marsham, Major Denne, W. Pickering , the Earl of Clarendon, R. Forster , E. W. Tritton , J. M. Heathcote , Hon. C. G. Lyttleton , W. H. Dyke, C. E. Green , E. Rutter . Auditors , R. Kynaston , G. D u Pre Porcher , and R. J. Ward. THEEighty-sixth season of the " first club in the land. " A proof, convincing enough were other wanting, of the animation that still directs the counsels of the M.C.C. , and the prosperity that attends its management. With essentially the right m a nin the right place as secretary , and an executive bent on uphold- ing the rights of genuine cricket , no wonder that Lord's has flourished , and flourishes with increased vigour every succeeding year. There was little note- worthy during the season to markit conspicuously in comparison with previous years , with the exception of a decided increase in the numberof matches and a general improvement in the adornments of the ground, the ground itself being the only feature in connection with Lord's that seems to show lack of decent attention and ordinary care . A n attempt was certainly made to establish a County Challenge Cup at Lord's , but some of the chief Counties set their faces deliberately against the scheme, and abandonment was all that could be done. For general aspects and results of the campaign itself reference can be made to thestatistics that follow.