James Lillywhte's Cricketers' Annual 1884

T H ES E V E N T HE N G L I S HT E A MI N A U S T R A L I A . 7 f favourable mention, that the spectators showed an impartiality of applause that spoke well for their appreciation of fair play, an impartiality which was almost invariably shown throughout the matches . Eleventh match (v. Eighteen of Northern Tasmania) , Launceston , January 8 and 9.-A very fair ground, and a somewhat less dazzling light than is usual in these latitudes . The eighteen , rather a moderate lot in batting , included Kendall, a former member of the Victorian eleven , and still a good left- handedbowler, with considerable commandover the bali in respect of pitch and break. C. T. Studdwas mostunfortunately run out w h e nwithin one of his hundred, a very good and careful innings , supplemented by the captain with 34, and Steel 30 not out ; Barnes and Steel principal takers of wickets . Leslie being unwell, and Morley still incapacitated , our worthy reporter , Cobbett, supplied the vacancy , and proceeded to cut at a ball with a ferocity that appalled the fieldsmen on the off -side , who did not perceive , as those standing behind the sticks did, that the ball was pursuing an undisturbed course in the direction oftheleg stump. Twelfth match(v. Eighteen of South Tasmania), Hobart,January 12 and 13.- TheSouthern Tasmanians , with the help of two or three of the best Northerners , put a strong eighteen in the field , and the wicket being a treacherous one, a small scoring match ensued. Morley and Steel were both well on the spot , and on a wicket that suited the former , especially , to perfection , disposed of the eighteen for 82 and 95. Their bowling being , however, straight and good, especially that of Kendall and H. Bayly (a fast bowler of the Allan Hill type ), the first innings of the eleven only reached 110, one of the smallest totals of the tour, the captain (32) and Steel (21) heading the score . Going in a second time, with 68 to win, three wiekets were quickly lost , and then Steel and Read between them finished it off , the former with a capital 30 not out. C. Butler , whosebrother , E. H., will be remembered as taking part in several good matches in England about 1877 , played in very fine style on the difficult wicket , though scoring but few runs . Amongthe spectators were to be noticed a strong body of " Jack Tars " from H.M.S. " Nelson," whose sympathy with their countrymen was noisily and frequently manifested . The Australasian of the current week contained a curious entry , in a match between two of the leading clubs in Melbourne, at the end of a score list- " The eleventh man, Mr. -, would not bat !" the introductory paragraph at the head of the score explaining , without comment, that the reason of this somewhat unusual course was, that the gentleman in question asserted that he had not been sent in early enough ! Itis to be hopedthat the Committeeof the South MelbourneClub, awakened by this direct reminder to a due sense of their shortcomings , respectfully and hastily restored this gentleman to the only post in the eleven , for which nature had so strikingly fitted him, at the head of affairs , verily , " aut Cæsar aut nullus ." Thirteenth match (v. Murdoch's Eleven), Melbourne, January 19, 20, and 22.-A lucky coin, presented to the Captain by Sir George Strahan , the hospitable Governor of Tasmania , with the express purpose of defeating Murdoch, a well known favourite of fortune in this respect , did its duty, and, on a fine , fast wicket the English eleven commencedtheir innings . To Leslie and Steel belongs the honour of first offering a determined resistance to the fine bowling of Palmer, the former's innings of 54 being made by really fine cricket . This satisfactory condition was further maintained by Read, with a strong defensive innings of 75, a slashing 55 by Bates , and Barnes, with 32, played in far better form than he had hitherto displayed . Atotal of 294 was a reassuring start ; but, though a slight rain had fallen in the night , the wicket wasstill very fast , and the Australian supporters fully expected a long score . This seemed still more probable whenMassie proceeded to hit the bowling in all directions , 56 appearing in a very short time, at which stage he retired with no less than 43 to his credit . At this period Bates commencedto bowl from the wicket furthest from the pavilion , and finding a spot , actually kept it so well in view as to bowl without a change (except one or two overs while Bonnorwas in) throughout the rest of the match, securing no less than seven wickets in