James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1896

THE UNIVERSITIES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1895. 1 9 5 S hrew sbury S chool E leven in 1895.— *A. F. Vernon (captain): After displaying poor form early in the season batted finely and vigorously in several of the concluding matches, his cutting and on-hitting being especially good. He is too fond of a stylish, but for a young bat most dangerous pull off the leg stump, and has a good deal to learn about forward play. lie has improved as a fieldsman, but is still wanting in dash and speed. In the field has performed the duties of captain well. *F. Oldham : Is strongest on the on-side, and with bowling that suits him scores rapidly in a taking style. His <ff-play is spoilt by jumping and cutting under the ball, and his forward play by over­ reaching and moving his left leg across the pitch of a straight bail. He is an admirable runner between the wickets. A fine dashing cover-point, but not clean enough m picking up the ball. *J . 11. Thomas: A really good bowler (medium), using liis head well, and getting a lot of work on the ball. Has a grand reach, and plays well out, but perhaps too little at the ball. His back play is still weak. Has improved in the field, but lacks alertness and activity. F. II. Humphrys : Has much improved as a batsman, but is liable to play across in forward strokes. He has a healthy tendency to play downright hard on to everything, and often drives finely. He lacks steadiness and patience, and therefore the power to play a defensive game. He can bowl very fast with an easy delivery, but his pitch is somewhat fortuitous, and he is expensive. An improving field. G. M oser : A very useful all-round cricketer, keen, neat, and stylish in the field ; too eager to score runs at once. Must improve hia defence on the on-side and off the legs, and with continued and constant E ractice ought to be really good next season. A useful and promising left- and medium bowler, who has shown considerable aptitude for picking up hints. *C. E . F inn y : A hard-hitting and still lucky bat. Bowls slow and short, coming quickly off the pitch, and has been successful. A poor field; apt to shrink from a hot one. *11. D. Banning : An anxious, nervous bat, too eager for big hit, who till late in the season did not watch the ball enough to ensure any defence. A keen but not certain field, though he took a great many wuckets by brilliant catches at slip. *C . B eresford : A valuable batsman of the “ stone-wall ” order, most consistent in run getting, steady and patient with a careful defence, having a useful cut and off-hit, but lacking the forward drive and the capacity to punish loose bowling. A painstaking field. *11. L e Neve F oster : As a wdcket-keeper is steadv and pretty sure, and probably well above the average when at his best. He has contributed much to the success of his side. He may generally be counted upon for a few runs at the end of the innings. *11. JStubhs: A nervous bat ; can hit hard, though too often with a horizontal bat. Has a bad stroke, which is neither back nor forward play. A fair change bowler (slow), who would be more effective if he had nerve enough to keep his length on the off. A good safe field with fine return. *C . K enrich : Shows tame and feeble cricket till he gets set; when set he can drive as clean and hard as anyone in the team. His off-play is at present very weak. A successful and at times difficult bowler (medium) who, however, must take pains to acquire greater accuracy. He has Drought off some brilliant catches, but he is not as a rule sufficiently wide awake in the field. *11. L loyd - Jones : A fairly straight slow bowler. Has met with success to the moderate extent to which he lias been called upon. A weak, tame bat, who must learn to face and watch the bowling. An uncertain field. o 2