James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1884

The 96th annual meeting was held in the Pavilion, at Lord’ s, on May 2nd, Lord Belper, the late President, in the chair. The annual report of the Committee stated the Club numbered 2,749 members, as against 2,657 in 1881, showing an increase o f 92. A sum of £3,580 was expended in matches during the season o f 1882, as against £3,115 in the previous year. The report also said that various improvements in the property of the Club, for the comfort and accommodation o f the members and the public, had been completed since the last meeting. The total sum expended on these improvements amounted to upwards o f £5,000. The alteration in L aw V I I . proposed at the meeting of county secretaries in December, whereby the ground m igh t be rolled for ten minutes before the commencement of each day’s play, was unanimously carried. The fo llow ing were the principal matches :— 1st Inna. 2nd Inns. Total. May 3, Colts o f North 119 — 119 L o rd ’s. Colts of South 43 44 87 Colts of the North won by an innings and 32 runs. This match, the opening fixture of the season, at Lord ’s, was com­ menced and concluded in one day, the actual time occupied by play being four hours and twen ty-five minutes. Harrison’ s bow ling was alone sufficient to make the game remarkable. The young Yorkshire- man, in the second innings of the Southern Colts, bowled 12 overs, 7 maidens, for 14 runs and 9 wickets. Not often has there been such a sensational first appearance. Shilton, of Northumberland, and Richard­ son, of Nottingham, also bowled w e ll. A t every point the Southerners were completely overmatched. 1st Inns. 2nd Inns. Total. May 7, M.C.C. and Ground 103 62 165 Lord ’ s. Sussex 91 73 164 M.C.C. won by 9 wickets. Rain prevented any p lay on the second day, and on the first the wicket was slow and somewhat difficult. Mr. W . G. Grace and Flowers won the match for the Club. The la tter took 8 wickets for 57 runs, wh ile Mr. Grace scored 17 and (no t out) 21, and took 11 wickets for 89 runs. Mr. W . H. Fow ler h it w ith great freedom for 23 and 36. The best scorers for the County were Humphreys (27 and 5), Mr. G. N. Wyatt (2 and 23), and Mr. J. R . Thornton (21 and 3). In the M.C.C.’s first innings Juniper howled remarkably we ll. 1st Inns. 2nd Inns. Total. May 10, M.C.C. and Ground 77 — 77 Lo rd ’ s. Middlesex Colts 58 — 58 Drawn. • Bad weather rendered cricket impossible on the first day, and on the second play was proceeded w ith under such unfavourable conditions that it was difficult to form any idea as to the abilities o f the Colts. George Hearne made 37 for the Club, and the on ly double figure scorer for the Colts was Winterburn. W oo f bow led w ith brillian t success, taking 14 wickets for 34 runs. Mr. W . A. Horncastle took 3 of the Club wickets for 8 runs, and was subsequently tried in the Middlesex eleven. 1st Inns. 2nd Inns. Total. May 10, M.C.C. and Ground 159 10 169 Cambridge. Cambridge Un ivers ity 100 65 165 M.C.C. won by 9 wickets.