James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1899

T H ECOUNTIESIN 1898. 7 3 (12) Essexv. Surrey. Oval, July 28, 29 and 30. Raininterrupted the play several times , and the cricket naturally was uncertain at times . Essex, whowent in first , began badly, losing six wickets before luncheon for 61. A shower during the interval made the wicket easier , and, thanks to some free hitting by C. J. Kortright (34), 86 were added by the four outstanding wickets . W h e nSurrey went in it looked for a time as if they would fare little better . Brockwell , Holland, and Lockwoodwere all out for ten, ofwhich Holland's share was nine , between them. In D. L. A. Jephson (16) andHayward(67) Abel, who was only in three hours and ten minutes for his 148, found useful partners . Thoughin a minority of 167 on the first hands, the earlier batsmen of Essex played up so well that 250 went up with only three batsmen out . Lockwood's bowling , however , worked a startling change , and hetook six of the seven remaining wickets for only nineteen runs . Surrey had 124 to get to win, and madelight of the task , having half their wickets in handat the finish . Surrey, 314 and 124 (5 wickets ) ; total , 438. Essex, 147 and290; total, 437. (13) E s s e xv. Leicestershire. Leicester , Aug. 1, 2 and3. Losing the toss Leicestershire had a long outing . Essex were batting all the first day, and even then had only lost seven wickets . The total at the finish was 413, and this was increased by 102 on the second morning. C. J. Kortright made112 in two hours and twenty-five minutes , but he was outdone by Carpenter , whose 133 was an exceptionally good innings . In no way dismayedby the heavy score of 515 against them Leicestershire began well , C. J. B. W o o d(50) and Knight (33) putting on81 for the first wicket . Brown (37), Н. Н. Marriott (23), and Coe (50), too, all played up well , with, in the result , a useful total of 288. Still , Leicestershire were 227 to the bad, and in the follow on C. J. Kortright bowled with such success that the result was never in doubt. Essex wonby an innings and 71 runs. Essex, 515. Leicester- shire , 288 and 156 ; total , 444. Overs. Maidens. R u n s. 4 1 C. J. Kortright (2ndinns . Leicestershire ) 15 3 (14) Essexv. Lancashire. Leyton , Aug. 4 and 5. W i c k e t s. 6 Anothervictory for Essex, and this time a mucheasier one. Lancashire hadthe advantage of first knock, but, with the wicket to help him a bit , C. J. Kortright bowled with great effect , and Tyldesley's 32 proved to be the best score . Indirect contrast the Essex batting was full of confidence and vigour . Seven of the Eleven cameoff fairly well , and even the last two batsmen, Mead andF. G. Bull, gave trouble . Still , a good deal of the credit of a useful total wasdue to C. McGahey(68) and F. L. Fane(42 not out). In arrears to the tune of 169 runs on the first innings , Lancashire fared a little better whenthey wentin a second time . Theearlier batsmen failed , and, indeed , it was only a plucky stand by Baker(70) and Smith (31 not out) for the last wicket that enabled themto headtheir first total to any extent . As it was, in the end Essex hadan easy win by nine wickets . Essex, 288 and 43 (1 wicket ) ; total , 331 . Lancashire , 119 and211 ; total , 330. C. J. Kortright (Essex) Overs. ... 5 5 Maidens. R u n s. 1 6 1 0 6 W i c k e t s. 1 2