James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1888

T H ECOUNTIESIN 1887. 6 9 late arrival , did not go in till three wickets were downand135 runs on the tele- graph boards . Hewaswell supported at the close of the innings by Shacklock , who hit exceedingly hard and clean for his score of 71. The hometeam were dis- posed of for 172 runs, Dr. E. M. being the highest contributor with 42. Following o ntheywere only able to improve on their first attempt by 14 runs , and out of the total of 186 Mr. W. G. Grace was responsible for as manyas 113. He saw his ten colleagues all dismissed , and his innings was in every wayworthy of his reputation. Richardsonbowledwellin the first innings of Gloucestershire , getting half the wickets at a cost of 43 runs . Notts, 423. Gloucestershire , 172 and 186; total , 358 . (11) Gloucestershirev. Lancashire. Cheltenham , August 15, 16, and 17. The first match of the Cheltenham week, andanother disaster for Gloucester- shire . The visitors , batting first , scored 252, of which Mr. J. Eccles obtained 113 by very fine cricket . This was his first century for his county. Briggs and Barlowbowled so well in the first innings of Gloucestershire , that they were only able to account for 132 runs . In the follow on, though, they madeabetter show, and the total reached 219, to which Mr. H. V. Page contributed 53. Lancashire were left with exactly 100 to get, and this cost them the loss of four batsmen. Gloucestershire were beaten by six wickets . Lancashire , 252 and 103 (four wickets ) ; total , 355. Gloucestershire , 132 and219 ; total , 351 . s e x. (12) Gloucestershirev. M i d d l e s e x. Clifton , August 22, 23, and 24. A ninteresting and sensational match, ending in the defeat of Gloucester- shire by one wicket only ten minutes before time . Thanks to Dr. W. G. (63) and Mr. Radcliffe (77), the hometeam had a balance of 45 runs in their favour in the first innings , Mr. Nepean (71) being the most successful run-getter for Middle- Gloucestershire's second innings totalled 194. Requiring 239 runs to win, the visitors beganbadly, losing half their wickets for 65 runs . Messrs . O'Brien and F. G. J. Ford, though, came to the rescue of their side when the game seemed lost , knocking up 83 and 38 respectively . Still 21 runs were required whenthe last man, Mr. Welman, came in. Luck, though, favoured the Middlesex team. After being missed at the wicket , Mr. Welman, in conjunction withBurton, by useful cricket , managedto pull the matchout of the fire as above stated . This was Mr. E. A. Nepean's first appearance for Middlesex . He was a distinct success , as he scored exactly 100 runs in the match, besides taking five wickets . Gloucestershire , 257 and 194; total , 451. Middlesex , 212 and 240 ; total, 452. (13) Gloucestershirev. K e n t. Clifton , August 25, 26, and 27. A nhistorical match, on account of Dr. W .G. Gracerepeating his marvellous performance at Canterbury in 1868. In the year namedhe scored 130 and 102 (not out) for the South against the North of the Thames, and nearly rivalled that performance , being credited with two fine innings of 101 and 103 (not out). Mr. W . Rashleigh was also able to place on record his first hundred in a county match. AsMr. W.G. Grace wasassisted in the first innings by his brother with 70, and Mr. Pagewith a good not-out innings of 61, the hometeam were able to show the good total of 277. Kent, however , were equal to heading this by40runs a success for which they were mainly indebted to Mr. Rashleigh (108 ) , Mr. W. H. Patterson (49), F. Hearne (37), and Mr. J. N. Tonge (38). What remained of time on the third day was occupied by Gloucestershire , who scored