James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1893

PUBLICS C H O O LCRICKETIN 1892. 1 3 seen at Rugbyfor some time , and it will be a grievous disappointment to his manysupporters if he does not makehis markin Oxford cricket . Itm a yseem that in our selection of prominent cricketers wehave left the bowlers out in the cold . This has not been done purposely , for we would gladly place in the " distinguished service " columns all who have proved their claims to such distinction . But, so far as we can gather , the pick of the bowlers are still to be found in the schoolboy ranks , and they will receive due notice here- after . Moreoversome of those already criticised , Hoareand Burrough especially , havemadetheir markin bowling as much as in batting , and loud as is the cry for bowlers at the Universities just now, particularly at Oxford, we are more thandoubtfulwhetheranyof the 1892 freshmenbowlersare of sufficient calibre to wina place in a 'Varsity eleven . Given a very dry season Ruddmaydo something outof the common, but of the rest , Forbes perhaps excepted , we cannot find one whoseperformances would warrant us in speaking confidently of the chances of his prominence in the near future . The Westminster pair-Shearme and Berens -didgood workduring the season , but, it appears , Shearme owedmuchof his success to the indifferent wickets at Vincent's Square, and Berens seems to be hardly " class enough." Time will show howfar these prognostications are true, but wecannot but be guided by the information which our various corres- pondents afford , and, if we have erred , the blame must be laid on other shoulders as well as o u ro w n. Somefew of the " cracks " of 1892 have not gone to either University , and are therefore not so likely to have opportunities of proving their worth as their more fortunate contemporaries . Of these the Harrovian , Paine, is one of the most prominent, though no one of themhas wonfor himself so good a nameas the younger Foster . He has already done well for Worcestershire , and is re- ported to bebut little behind his elder brother as a batsman. H eought to get lots of runs at Woolwich, and it is to be hoped that after his " shop " days are over he will not have to sever his connection with his county . Thetwo Marlburians , Marley and Mortimer, were the pick of their eleven last year, and Marleywas as successful as anyboybowlerof the season. T h eelder of the two Champains, though not so sound a bat as his elder brother , whoappeared occasionally for Gloucestershire , had a very good season , and had he not failed unaccountably in the school matches would have had a wonderful average . As it washe was well ahead of his colleagues , and made a most favourable im- pression on the cricket authorities of theplace. Thus far no mention has been madeof those whoare still schoolboys . This omission is not due to the fact that none of the class were in the first flight , but partly because they will have further opportunities of showing their prowess against rival schools , and even more because it will be necessary in estimating the possibilities of 1893 to take their doings into consideration . It is right , however, to state that amongthem is to be found the best performer of the year . For a Wykehamistto have an aggregate of 777 runs, an average of 48, and to score over 200 against Eton is , webelieve , without precedent . W h e nwe add that Masonhadto bear the brunt of the bowling throughout , and yet took 48wickets for 18 runs apiece , it will be seen that his claim to be champion of 1892 cannot be questioned . W ehave been told that one of the very best judges in Englandtakes exception to his play on the leg side , but those who knowhim best, those most intimately associated with Winchester cricket , believe him to be, perhaps , the best player the school has ever possessed . All being well he should have a grand future before him in the cricket world . Havingsaid thus muchwe will pass to a review of what has been andwhat is to be at the various schools , but at the outset we must crave indulgence at the hands of our correspondents , some of w h o mhave begged for a sort of classi- fication of the different teams. This is a task quite beyond our powers, and, gladly though westrive to meet the wishes of our friends , we cannot do more thanmakea rough division of teams to be congratulated , and teams to be pitied . Theend and aim of every captain is to win his school match, or matches as the case m a ybe, and if he succeeds in this object he feels he has not laboured in