CHAPTER YIIL THE AVERAGES IN 1876. THE BATSMEN. AI k . W. G. G race stands, as usual, alone as the only batsman who has ex­ ceeded 2,000 runs during the year, and no more can be said of his batting than that it was marvellous. 2,622 runs for 46 innings, and an average of over 62 runs, is a great feat even for the greatest cricketer that has over lived. Lockwood, who was oddly enough under a cloud for his county, was in Ins true form elsewhere, and the Yorkshire captain never played better or sounder cricket. It will be seen that he was the only other cricketer— amateur or professional—who realised an aggregate of over 1,000 runs, and his average of over 28i runs for 48 innings will compare with the best “ bar ono.” Jupp comes the next in point of aggregate runs; but Daft can lay claim to tho first place among the professionals of the year, and it is safe to say that he never played in better style or with more vigour. Indeed, his two innings for the Players against the Gentlemen, at the Oval, wore most brilliant; and his average of 31 runs for 25 completed innings is very much above the usual standard. Mr. Gilbert, though he played well throughout, was greatly indebted to his first score of 205 not-out at Cambridge for his prominent position ; and of Mr. Game’s 336, 250 wore realised in two innings. Chari- wood played with all his old dash, but his opponents were not always of the most dangerous calibre , and his average is in no way to bo compared with those of Lockwood or Daft. Lord Harris batted finely throughout, and his aggregate of 916 for 29 completed innings was a great achievement. Two other old Oxonians were also in extraordinary form, and it only requires a glaucc at the figures attached to the names of Messrs. Ottaway and Ridley to prove that those two batsmen were in tho very front rank of the cricketers of 1876. Mr. G. F. Grace occasionally showed in his true colours, but he was not in his best form; and Mr. A. J. Webbe, the Oxford “ crack,” though he played well at the outset and again at the close, was not quite so safe as usual. Mr. A. P. Lucas, of Cambridge, was in stylo the equal of any batsman in 1876; and Messrs. Hornby (Lancashire), F. Penn (Kent), I. D. Walker (Middlesex), and Yardloy (Kent), of the old order, all maintained their reputations among the amateurs—while Arthur Shrewsbury took a step into the front rank of professionals. The preponderance of the amateur batsmen during the season was noteworthy and suggestive, and, indeed, there were only eight professionals with an average of over 20 runs per innings. Of the younger cricketers, Messrs. Read, of Surrey, and Moberley of Glou­ cestershire, proved themselves to be two of the very best batsmen of the year, and were certainly the most promising cricketers of 1876. Mr. Ridley was an acquisition to Derbyshire, Mr. H. R. Webbe to Oxford University and Middlesox, and Harghes, who is a free and resolute hitter, also to Middlesex. S corers of 1,000 R vns and U pw ard s . Total Times Total Most in Most in Innings. Not out. Runs, an Inns, a Mutch. Grace, W. G.................. 46 4 2622 344 344 Lockwood .................... 43 4 1229 121 178 Average. 62.18 28.25