James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1899

T H ECOUNTIESIN 1898. 9 1 (9) Kentv. Surrey. Blackheath, July 25, 26 and 27. Rainstopped play on the third day, whenthe gamewas in a most interest- ing condition . Withtwo strong batting sides run-getting above the average was expected . The expectation was realised , as all the three completed innings exceeded 200, and two of them270. Kent had the advantage of first knock, but still were behind at the end of an innings . Theyfared very badly, too, for a time whenthey went in again , and at the end of the second day were only 66 on with half their wickets down. But F. Marchant (48 and 49) and Martin (56 and 34 not out)- a s in the first innings-played excellent cricket, andin the end Surreywereleft with 201 to get in a little over three hours . With ordinary luck they might have got them. But Hayward, who hadmade101 on the previous day, was out for a duck, and whenthe gamewas finally stopped by rain four of the best bats were out with 96 up. Kent, 277 and 213 ; total , 490. Surrey , 290 and 96 (4 wickets ) ; total , 386. (10) K e n tv. Sussex. Hastings , July 28, 29 and 30. Sussexwere without W .N e w h a mandG. B r a n n, and, in addition, h a dall the worst of the luck as the gamewent. O nthe first day the Sussex bowling troubled the Kentbatsmen very little , and whenstumps were drawn 354 had beenscored for the loss of only six wickets . Of this sumJ. R. Mason's share was 133 and Rev. W. Rashleigh's 105. During the night rain fell heavily , and the conditions were altogether changed . The Sussex batsmen were, indeed , placed at the greatest disadvantage , and the majority were quite out of it on the difficult wicket . The exception wasC. B. Fry, whoplayed excellent cricket each time for 23 and 52 respectively . Butt (not out 14 and 15) and Parris (10 and 19) alone of the rest got double figures . Kent wonby an innings and84 runs . Kent, 377. Sussex, 144 and 149; total , 293. H e a r n eA. (Kent) J. R. Mason(Kent) Overs. Maidens. R u n s. Wickets. 4 6 . 4 2 6 2 8 1 3 3 6 3 3 6 5 (11) K e n tv. Lancashire. Canterbury , Aug. 1, 2 and 3 . Amatchfor the benefit of Alec Hearne, one of the most deserving pro- fessionals of Kent. The play all round, too, was thoroughly worthy of the occasion . Hearnehimself was at his very best , for he scored 80 and 74, and in each case was not out. J. R. Mason(18 and 76) also did well both times , as did B. D. Bannon (78) in the first innings . Kent, though they went in second , had a lead of 23 runs on the first hands. W h e nLancashire went in a second time , however , their bowlers fared badly . Tyldesley , the highest scorer in the first innings with 66, considerably improved on this , scoring 127 with hardly a mis-hit . A. C. MacLaren(78) was also at his best , and C. R.. Hartley (53) and A. Eccles (27), both not out , were making runs fast whenthe innings wasclosed . As it was, there was little or no chance of getting Kent out, and, thanks to J. R. Mason(76) and Alec Hearne(74 not out), 172 hadbeen got for the loss of only two batsmen when play finally ceased . Lancashire , 252 and 324 (4 wickets , innings declared ) ; total , 576. Kent, 275 and 172 (2: wickets ) ; total , 447. In the match1,023 runs were scored for 26 wickets .