James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1894

2 0 LILLYWHITE'SCRICKETERS' A N N U A L. wasvery largely due to physical causes ,while Beazley seemed overweighted with the responsibilities of his position , which, by the way, he filled with infinite credit to himself . As a field Beazley was quite first -class , and once or twice he batted with vigour and success . As the season advanced , Eccles , the present captain , played himself into form, and if he goes on improving ought to rival the deeds of past celebrities . H ehas a stupendous task before him this year, the younger Bryant being the only other survivor of the old team, so if victories are to be won it can only be by downright hard grind on the part of all concerned . The Rossall eleven of 1893 was stronger in batting than most of the teams of late years , and one capital performance has to be placed to their credit , Newett and Stone contributing 244 for the first wicket against Liverpool . Theycould not, however, be relied on, and morethan once , notably against Loretto ,the batting broke downin a most disappointing way. In the Shrewsbury Match they appeared in a more favourable light , andmayreasonably argue that time robbed themof almostcer- tain victory . Against M.C.C. , Kingwas the only one whoplayed with anyconfidence , but wedonot attach muchimportance to this game, as Alex. Watson, if he can find his spot, is even now more than a match for any School eleven . To turn to indi- viduals . Newett, whohas another year at School , was as undoubtedly the best bat, as Andrewswas the best bowler . These two were also smart in the field , but the same praise cannot be bestowed on all the members of the team, two of them, whoshall be nameless ,often failing to do their best . With7old choices , Newett and Andrews included , the coming season ought to be a prosperous one, especially as the two cracks of last year have Hampshire, a rapidly improving wicket -keeper , andWilson, amost promising youngster, to help them. After winning their first match,the Rugbyboys had a long period of depression , and it was notuntil nearly the close of term that victory again smiled on their efforts . It cannot truthfully be said that they were a good side , and probably they were seen at their very best at Lords . There was not any lack of bowlers , the most trustworthy being Sample, on whomfell the lion's share of the work. The others were uncertain , the best of them being Rhoades, though Gowers and Christopherson , who are still school boys , are decidedly promising . Sample, the present captain , is a bowler of the straight and steady order , but the want of sting will always make him easy on a good wicket . H e ought to be able to get together a useful side this year, even though most of the batsmen of the team have left . W eshould look forward with moreconfidence to the future of R u g b y Cricket did we know that the grounds , the lower ones especially , were being relaid . OldBig Side is in a wretched condition , (N e wBig Side is far from perfect ) and it seems to us that numbers of promising youngsters must be ruined year after year, by having to play on such rough wickets . W erejoice to hear that strenuous efforts are being madeto remedy the existing condition of things , and, this done, Rugby must, ere long , regain her place as one of the best nurseries of cricket . So much for the future . W ehad almost forgotten to state that, in Nichols , Rugby last year possessed a sterling batsman. He proved his value at Lords , as we have already seen , but this was no solitary performance , and throughout the term he s h o w e dhimselfto be thebestm a no ntheside. O ftheothersMarshalla n dSlater were the pick , Marshall improving very materially on his form of 1892, but he will never be in the front rank unless he can acquire some of Slater's patience , nor will Slater ever greatly distinguish himself unless someof Marshall's vigour is infused into his play . Little more need be said , but we must not omit to mention that , after muchsearching , a wicket -keeper was discovered , who, to judge by his form at Lords , ought to do well this year . Sherborne's record of 3 matches won out of 10 engagements does not sound well , but, all things considered , must be pronounced creditable . W ethink that our readers will agree with us that the term creditable is not misplaced , whenw e state that the teamhad3 very serious drawbacksagainst which to contend. In