James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1896

(1) Essex v. Warwickshire. Birmingham, May 0, 7 ami 8. Three separate hundreds in this high-scoring match, and the prospect of another had time allowed. The hat completely out-classed the ball from the start, and Mr. Higgins (118) and Burns (114) fairly tired the Warwickshire howlers at the outset. Mr. Bainbridge played a magnificent game for his side, his first 50 occupying an hour and a halt. Still more finished was the cricket of Walter Quaife (91 and not out 52), and after all it was anyone’s match, the Edghaston ground being in perfect condition. The game was drawn. In all 1,013 runs were soored for 25 wickets. Essex, 410. Warwickshire. 259 and 344 (5 wickets); total, 003. 80 l i l l y w h i t f / s c r ic k e t e r s ’ a n n u a l . (2) Essex v. Surrey. Oral, May 13, 14 and 15. Essex thought themselves lucky to get 200 runs, though in doing even this they were greatly indebted to Carpenter for his masterly and finely-graduated innings of 145. But it proved not nearly enough for Surrey. Abel, who has scarcely ever opened the season in such fine style, carried his bat clear through the innings for 217. The popular little player’s colossal score was singularly free from errors, and Holland, who seemed determined to secure a permanent place in the Surrey ranks, assisted with a brilliantly got 123. Faced by odds that were far too “ long,” Essex readily succumbed to Richardson and Lock- wood at their fastest. Surrey won by an innings and 125 runs. Surrey, 448. Essex, 231 and 92; total, 323. (3) Essex v. Middlesex. Leyton, May 27, 28 and 29. The home eleven managed to head their visitors’ total, but the latter, who were without Sir T. C. O’Brien, were prompt to take revenge. Mr. Stoddart, who had failed the first time, made a grand stand with Rawlin when the necessary runs were being hit off. The amateur hit 67 in ninety minutes, the stand for the third partnership producing 70 in the hour. Pickett and Mead bowled their best; out things had gone too far, and Essex had to acknowledge defeat by five wickets. Middlesex, 202 and 195 (5 wickets); total, 397. Essex, 220 and 174 ; total, 394. (4) Essex v. Leicestershire. Leyton , June 3, 4 and 5. The season that had opened so unpromisingly for Essex bade fair to continue unpromising. Only Mr. McGahey (27 and 54) managed to play him­ self into form at all, and his 81 represented the biggest aggregate in the match. An unexpected stand by Mr. Do Trafford and Chapman on the Tuesday gave to Leicestershire the lead that they managed to hold to the end. Woodcock’s fir^t bowling bumped considerably when Essex went in again, so that the re ult was scarcely in doubt. Leicestershire won by 75 runs. Leicestershire, 111 and 190; total, 301. Essex, 103 and 123; total, 226. Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wickets. Woodcock (Lcic«*tor).......................44*1 10 115 12