James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1894

T H EUNIVERSITIESA N DPUBLICS C H O O L SIN 1893 1 8 9 somebowling for the eleven next year. W. Wright (1.3 )- Apoor field , unable to keep his attention on the game. RydalM o u n tSchool, C o l w y nBay.-G.T. Dickin (20), E. P. Gaskin (18.16 ), J. G. F. Nicholson (10.2 ), and R. F. Stainer (33.5) played in the masters ' and boys' inatches ; and the following constituted the boys' XI. : - A. D. Codling (6.33 ) has madevery little progress since last year, and has had a succession of small scores . N. K. Firth (19.5 ) is a very plucky and vigorous bat , and for his size has surprising hitting powers ; a good little bowler . A. R. Handley (4.5 ) has to a great extent lost his bowling , but is a smartfield , anda moderate bat. S. Raby(10.33 ) will make a capital bat, and has several good strokes ; fair field and canbowl. A. J. C. Ross (5.75 ) has become the best of the bowlers and is at times very difficult , a capable bat, but a low scorer . H. D. Shepherd (23) shewed con- siderable improvement in his fielding ; he is a hard though erratic hitter , and has shownunexpected abilities in the bowling line . T. C. Shillington (2. ) has not comeon as a bat, but fields very well. F. W. Simpson (10.1 ) was worth more runs than he made, as he has a strong on-stroke , but his defence is unsound: wouldbe a very useful bowler if less ambitious for break ; good field . O. J. Sykes (Captain ) (18.66 ) is perhaps the best bat we have ever had ; his style is very nearly perfection , and his hitting clean and well -timed ; he fielded brilliantly at point . Thebowling analysis is as follows :--Stainer , 1.83 runs per wicket , Gaskin , 3.32, Ross, 6.87 , and Simpson, 8. 24S e d b e r g hSchool.-Matches played , 13 ; won, 5 ; drawn, 2; lost , 6. S. L. Watkinson (20) : A nexcellent captain . Haschanged the bowling with good judgment, and never despairs of winning the match. Has improved in batting , andis amuchfaster bowler than he was. Hasa tendency to play to leg , with an oblique bat , a ball on his leg stump; which often costs him his wicket . Shews muchpromise . J. Bishop (17) : His ill success of last season has deserted him, and it is a pleasure to record not afew very good performances . Hits hard when well set, but often plays late , through being too slow in getting to work, after he hasmadeup his mind how to play . Agood field and fair change bowler . R. A. Cassels (12) : Madea disastrous start , and was a piteous sight at the beginning of term, walking along with downcast head and a heavyheart . Butsteady practice atthe nets metwith its due reward, and he played muchbetter latterly . H ehas some cricket in him, and will improve . J. Simpson (11): His play has improved , though 'tis still muchwanting in dash. Is not quick enough in catching sight of the ball , nor does he watch it sufficiently carefully off the pitch . A very fair field . J.B. Decker (15) : Has improved as a batsman, and watches the ball well off the pitch . Hasnot a taking style , but is by no means so easy a victim to the bowler, ash elooks. A s a wicket-keeper, mustlearn not to lose his headat the critical moment, whengrabbing at the ball is fatal . C. B. Watson (5) : Onhis daya good bowler. His batting at present is not of a high order . Has a straight eye, but a sadly crooked bat, which can never be madestraight without very careful practice . Agood field . G. P. Ackroyd(17) : Has made distinct progress in batting and bowling. Though often bringing off a brilliant piece of fielding , he has let pass himtoo manyeasy ones to be called safe . In batting he should reach out more andavoid any cramped position of the body. H e is far too kind to loose bowling . Hasoften bowled well , and has acquired a better commandover his pitch . G. C. Hart(12): Avery promising batsman. Times the ball well , and plays it correctly . Mustacquire the art of playing towards mid-on manystraight balls which he now plays to leg ; for he is often in danger of being l.b.w. A very fair slow bowler , andgood field . K. R. Cobb (9) : Thoroughly deserved his cap. Is an excellent example of one who, from being a bad batsman at the beginning of the season , turned out a most useful memberof the XI. by careful practice . Hasa fine reach , and, whenhe learns to use it , and to play in afree style , will makeplenty of runs . A nimproving bowler and good point . T. O. Ainslie (6) : Has a good notion of batting, andwouldprobablybecomea useful cricketer if he took pains. Butunfor- tunately , a period of ill success takes all the heart out of him, and he is then a mel-