James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1879

50 school grounds), and of being acquainted with the bowlers’ peculiarities. How is it, then, that we so seldom see a. rcally’ good working school team in the field ? I am quite aware that in answering this I shall make an unpopular suggestion. I feel certain that the mn'm—ity of schools play too many foreigii matches. If the gun/it‘ll} were rcstrictctl and the quality irviprovcd, there would he more real interest taken. As it is, teams of very inferior stamp and frequently defective in number as well as cricket capabilities are brouglil against sclioolsl Boys get surfeitcd with uiiiiitercstiiig matches and conse- qucntly get slack. At those schools where fcii' foreign matches are played, such as “7incliester, Harrow, and one or two more, we see much more energy’ and interest displayed not only h)’ the Elei'cn but by the whole school. A sidestliis, more matches among themselves would tend to bring out proni' ‘ young fellows, and the general cricket of the school would improve. Again, the expenses of the Elei~en would be diminished, and this is a poiiit which should not he lost sight of. In great hopes of seeing school cricket geiicrflll)’ improved I will now proceed to discuss the merits. so In as I have been able to judge from information and personal observatioii of cacli school, and I hope my rem 'ks will not gii'e offence to aiw one. The E'i'ox Em; foi~ i878 was certainly one of the weakest that the school has had for some year There were eight new choices in the team ; this and the continued wet weather in) to the middle of J'tine no doubt accouiit in some measure foi‘ the weakness, but still it appeared as if there was a want of life and spirit and interest in the game. Tlie fielding also, with two or three exceptions, was slacl: and lifeless. The Brothers Studd were very gontl huts. and are pretty sure to be heard of again. They were alsri gootl fields and had their hearts in the gaiiic. The younger (C. T.) remains at Eton, aiitl will he m )tain next season. \\'e have every confidence that he will be among the best Sc 1001 bats, as his style is excellent, avid with more power will he very cflcc~ live ; he is also a'veiy fair slow round howler. his style being mi exact repro- duction of XV. 5. Patterson, Smith, the Captain, proved liimsclfausefnl sloxv rountl bowler, keeping straight antl a fair lengtli ; he was not iniicli of a hat, and seemed to be deficient in spirit and knowledge of the game. Hawke has the making ofa gootl hat and promises well, but in the field he was (11, gracefully lazy, S. Cattley‘ shows seine promise; his style is gootl, and he is patient and painstakinn. De Paraviciiii should train on well hot)! as bat and bowler; he is very young, but shows signs or future excellence. Douglas was a steadyv bat nfltl played a useful innings at Lord's, hut in the field he is careless and lazy. Had Eton showed more energy in thofield, and less uncertainty iii holding easy catches, the Harrow match would have ended differently The report which reaches me of HARRUW from a welLlrnown and reliable source is more sati actory in some ways, They appear to have beeii a hard working painstaking lot in eveiy department without any hrillinncy at all. J'arws was a good captain both in the school anrl air the cricket field, and it is to him in no sliglit degree that the victory in the school match was due. He is certainly a gootl hat, careful and patient, and there is every reason to believe that he will he heard of again, beiiig also active and energetic in the field» Lawson was the hero of the school match; but never-the)“; he cannot be called a good bat. His constant practice and attention to coaching deserved the success which he nClllC\'Ctl; he was a useful bowler though his lcngtll W“; scarcely_so good as last year. Henery proved himself a valuable man, beiiig a very lair Sh‘fllgllt slow bowler, gootl field, mid dashing,y bat. \\'ith more def€rlce he would be a good player. Rom: somewhat disappointed his friends, and did not comelnp to. the expectations formed last season ; he performed credit- ahly at the Wicket in the school match. Spencer shows decided promise as it