James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1896

THE UNIVERSITIES ANI) PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN 1895. 223 M I N O R SCHOOL S . Chatham Couse, R am sga te . —G. Smith (26*72), captain: One of the best all-round cricketers the school has produced for many years. Powerful and stylish bat. Safe field in any position, and fair fast bowler. Has been invaluable as a captain. P. Wingate (11): A steady bat, both cutting and E lacing to leg neatly. Excellent field at cover-point, and bowls a good slow all with an off-break. Can keep wicket at a pinch. G. Cohden (9*33): Pair bat, with awkward style ; scarcely makes enough use of his great reach. Fast bowler, somewhat erratic. Good deep field. E. S. Higgins (7 42) : Fair bat. Splendid deep field and safe catch. Bowls a little, j ' Backus (7*5): Bats in cramped style ; should use his wrists more. Must learn to field. II. liachus (6*75): Promising bat, with a pretty forward stroke. Good slow bowler, with nice easy action. Slow in the field. IV. Slipper (4*69) : Fair bat. Good field. II. Harris (4*66) : Very steady bat. Bowls with good length and break, and uses his head well. Fair field. K. Fraser (3 90): Bats stylishly. Fair field. M. McMeekin (2*71): Fair bat; drives well. Good field. E. Piraya : A most reliable bat, with a style of his own. Bowls with good judgment. Good field. D over College.—Matches played, 12 ; won, 5; drawrn, 2 ; lost. 5.— F. G. C. Ilartopp (15), captain : Bowls fast right, though his pace has somewhat slowed down ; keeps a good length, and does not easily tire. Smart field. As a captain has shown sound judgment, and set an excellent example to his men. E. L. Bagshawe (11): A most uncertain bat ; has a powerful off-drive, but is very wreak in playing back. Scores runs at a great pace when the bowling suits him. His ground-fielding has improved, and he is now fairly smart. G. I j . F. Skewell (15): Ought to be a really first-class school bat, but just misses it owing to his want of defensive powers; can hit well all round the wicket, and is an exceedingly attractive bat to watch. A safe catch, and very smart ground-field. Moderate change bowler. H. P. Blackwood (12): Has wonderfully improved as a bat; is too anxious to score, and sometimes gets out through his attempts to pull a straight ball. An erratic bowler and weak field. S. F. Madden (12): Is a difficult wuckct to get. owing to his steady, cautious play. Watches the ball carefully, but scores slowly. A smart point G. Mellor (8): Distinctly the best bowler in the school (medium right), keeping as a rule an excellent length and very straight. As a bat plays very straight. Excellent field in the slips, where he has brought off some brilliant catches. C. IV. A. E. Praetorius (4): Has a pretty forward stroke, and can score freely on the leg side, but has not much defence. When able to play has been of great use to the team as a bowler (left slow). K. B. Boutledge (8) : A smart and stylish wicket-keeper; stands well up to the fastest bowling. A punishing bat, though somew’hat cramped. J. E. Blair (5) : Medium right-hand bowler with leg break. As a bat has neither defence nor style, but can occasionally hit. B. P. T. Scammell (10) : Hits with power, especially on the leg side. Is too fond of trying to convert a well-pitched straight ball into a half-volley to leg. Has greatly improved in the field. R. J. Stone (4): Has won liis cap solely on his fielding. Though not an absolutely safe field is always smart and often brilliant. A poor bat. BOWLING AVERAGES. C. W . A. E. Praetorius... Overs. ... 66*3 Maidens. 21 Runs. 158 Wickets. 18 Average. 8*77 ( \ M e l l o r ......................... ... 131*3 30 358 21 13*25 G. L. F. Sliewell............. ... 59*3 5 162 11 14*72 F <}. 0. Ilartopp.............. ... 133 19 383 26 14*73 J. E. Blair... .............. ... S7 28 229 15 15*25