James Lilllywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1880

T H EM A R Y L E B O N EC L U BIN 1879. 6 5 Marlborough. Rugbywon by 97 runs. Marlborough , 88, 100 ; total , 188. Hardwick(Marlborough ) Rugby, 141 , 144; total , 285. O v e r s 5 5 M a i d e n s R u n s W i c k e t s 1 5 1 1 9 1 3 (12) Englandv. Thirteenof Kent. Canterbury , August 4, 5, 6, 1879 . The original fixture was England v. Kent, but the ill success of the County during the season wisely suggested an abandonment of the attempt to play England even -handed , and a modification was substituted . Owing to circumstances over which the management at Canterbury had no control (to wit , other County matches ), England was poorly represented , and the absence of Ulyett , Bates , Emmett, not to mention Hon. A. Lyttelton , Messrs . Hornby , I. D. Walker , and other amateurs who had done good service at Canterbury in previous years , robbed the opening contest of much of its attraction . On the other handthe gameitself was sensational almost from the outset . On a ground so favourable for run-getting , the first innings of Kent (142) was regarded as of little use , and certainly no one was prepared to see a fairly strong batting side with Messrs . W. G. Grace , A. G. Steel , Oscroft , Selby , Barnes, Flowers , and Mr. C. I. Thornton , out for 72, as the England eleven were, a feat of which Mr. A. Pennand Bray, the Kentish bowlers , might well be proud . At the end of an innings the County had just 70 runs in hand ; and , thanks to Messrs . R. S. Jones, whoplayed excellent cricket for 30 and 40, and Frank Penn, who scored 31 each time, England had to go in at the finish with a heavyscore of 245 to win. Six wickets were downfor 127, whenMr. W . G. Grace and Flowers became partners , and with only Shaw, Pilling , and Morley to follow , a victory for Kent seemed close at hand. 119 runs were still wantedwith three weak batsmento follow; but the reserves were never required , and Mr. W. G. Grace and Flowers , by some of the very best cricket seen during the season , knocked the runs off themselves , Mr. Grace 63 not out , Flowers 72 not out. This performance was the more meritorious in that rain hadnotimproved the wicket , and a better or more plucky display of cricket than that of Flowers has never been shown by a young player . It is worthy of remark too that he scored 72 out of 119 in an hour and twenty minutes-not a meanfeat with such a fast run-getter as Mr. Grace at the other wicket . England wonby four wickets . England , 72 and 246 (six wickets ) ; total , 318 . Thirteen of Kent, 142 and 174; total , 316. O v e r s M a i d e n s R u n s W i c k e t s Mr. W. G. Grace (1st Innings Kent) .......... 28.3 1 2 3 8 5 Mr.A. Penn(1st InningsEngland) B r a y(1st InningsEngland) 2 7 - 3 1 4 3 8 4 2 7 1 8 2 7 4 (13) Gentlemenof England' . Gentlemenof Kent. Canterbury , August 7, 8, 9, 1879 . The object of the authorities in investing a twelve which by no possible method of reason could have been classed as even second -rate with the high- sounding title of the Gentlemen of England,' is no doubt best knownto themselves . No doubt it was originally hoped to have been able to collect something like a representative team ; but when it was found that only three cricketers who have ever been chosen to represent the Gentlemen-to wit, Messrs. W. G. Grace, A. G. Steel , and R. A. H. Mitchell -could be found to assist , and that the remaining places had to be filled up by a nine composed F