John and James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1882

A HEVIEW OF THE SEASON. B y the E ditor . A SUNNY SUMMER did its best to bring about a satisfactory season, and, all things considered, but few cricketers can retain other than pleasant memories of the play of the past year. We can recall no summer since that of 1868 during which the skies have been so propitious. It was unfortunate that the U niversities ’ and the S chools ’ matches should have been treated to some of the few showers that fell during the London season, but there was little harm done, even to the ladies’ bonnets. Indeed, Englishmen might well be proud of their m climate as evidenced by the weather during May, June, and July, even though it did not quite reach the pitch of perfection attained by a certain favoured spot in the Hawaiian Islands, where it is never either too cold or too hot, and a shower falls every morning at seven o’clock, refreshing the vegetation and laying the dust for the day. Fresh easterly winds and scorching suns in May combined to make the wickets very fast, and scores ruled high from the very opening of the season at the Universities and Public Schools. In the course of June the east winds completed their long innings, but the sun continued to blaze with unwonted fervour throughout that and the following month; and, whilst farmers were praying for rain to add length to the straw and size to the ears of their corn, cricketers all over the country were rejoicing in a faint realisation of what Australian summer weather is like, and regarding their batting averages with more than usual contentment. Most of us like the ball to come quickly up to the ba t ; those who do not found a few sympathisers in the bowlers who longed in vain for a sticky wicket. Hut even they had a turn ei’e the season ran out, and before the faimeis had ceased grumbling over the drought they began to grumble ovei the lain, which set in just as the harvest was commencing in early August, and continued with so little intermission throughout the month