James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1896

6 6 LILLY WHITE’ S CRICKETERS’ ANNUAL. (X) Gloucestershire v. Middlesex. Lord's, Mai/ 30, 31, June 1. W. G. G race C ompletes 1,000 R uns in M ay . The Western County won the toss on a splendid wicket, and, remaining in all day, put on no less a total than 366. Contrary to general expectation after his recent marvellous performances, Dr. Grace again came off, he being responsible for 169—an almost faultless display—or nearly half the runs scored from the bat. Save for Captain Luard’s 64, and Mr. Kitcat’s 36, the veteran champion was indifferently supported, or the total would have been still higher. Middlesex could only respond with 200, a hard-hit 62 by Mr. Vernon being the highest contribution. Some rain fell, and in the follow-on they would have fared badly indeed against Painter but for a brilliant stand by Mr. Lucas. A curious feature of this innings was that Board made four catches, all off Painter’s bowling,and Mr. Kitcat three. With only 43 to win, the task cost the Westerners half their wickets. Gloucestershire, 366 and 46 (5 wickets); total, 412. Middlesex, 200 and 208; total, 408. (2) Somersetshire v. M iddlesex, (T. M ycroft ’ s B enefit .) Lord's , June 3, 4 and 5. The usual Whit Monday meeting between these rival Counties produced a gallant struggle, and resulted in a four figure aggregate. Somerset were almost wholly dependent in their first innings upon the Brothers Palairet, Lionel (109) and R. C. (106), by tremendous hitting, putting on nearly 200 for the second partnership. But big as was their total it was topped by Middle­ sex, thanks largely to Mr. Stoddart’s extraordinary punishment of Woods and Tyler. It was Mr. Stoddart’s match, for in addition to his brilliant first innings of 150 he made 56 at the second knock. A fourth hundred was added, though, by Mr. S. M. J. Woods, who hit 14 in one over from Hearne. Middlesex were lucky to save the match, having at the finish only two wickets to fall with 101 to get to wTin. Somersetshire, 337 and 291; total, 628. Middlesex, 370 and 158 (8 wickets); total, 528. (3) Yorkshire v. Middlesex. Lord's , June 10, 11 and 12. Yorkshire were at this time displaying their most brilliant form, and the result was again over 1,000 runs scored in the match. Except for the final innings the oat always beat the ball, and the chief hitters on the winning side were Tunnicliffe (28 and 101), who made his first “ century ” for his county in a good match,Brown (62 and 47), and Moorhouse (29 and not out 65). For the losers Sir Timothy, with dashing 76 and 48, was far in front of his fellows. When he closed the innings on the third afternoon Lord Hawke can scarcely have hoped to win, but Hirst and Jackson bowled so finely that the result was never in doubt, and Yorkshire won by 298 runs. Yorkshire, 258 and 411 (7 wickets, innings declared); total, 669. Middlesex, 256 and 115; total, 371.