James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1884

87 being sustained in ten days. As the result of these surprising failures, the Champion County of 1882 found itself suddenly reduced to the fifth place. It is difficult to account for the complete change that came over the fortunes of the eleven. The men who had won the early matches were all available, and, except in the case of Mr. Hornby, their powers did not seem to have declined. It is but fair to state that two out of the last three matches were only lost after a good deal of hard fighting. The bowling of the team was again the subject of endless discussion. There can be no reasonable doubt that Crossland continually threw, and though his slower pace prevented him being dangerous, Nash’s action was open to grave objection. Watson, too, though a popular cricketer, did not escape unfavourable remark. Mr. A. G. Steel only assisted his county in three matches, Mr. Hoyle in four matches, and Mr. D. Q. Steel in two. Barlow was decidedly the best man in the eleven. In batting, bowling, and fielding, he worked untiringly for the success of the side. Pilling had very uncertain health, and he was compelled to stand out of two matches. 1st Inns. 2nd Inns. Total. May 17, Lancashire 332 — 332 Manchester. Derbyshire 54 118 172 Lancashire won by an innings and 160 runs. Derbyshire could not get together its best eleven, and suffered a crushing defeat. The Lancashire men were seen to advantage at all points of the game. Watson scored 74, Briggs 55, Mr. Hornby 43, and Barlow 41. The fielding was excellent, and the bowling of Barlow and Nash most effective. The former took 5 wickets for 20 runs, and 2 for 42, and Nash 5 for 24, and 3 for 47 runs. The best batting for Derby­ shire was shown by Mr. R. P. Smith (10 and 33), Cropper (7 and 20), Mr. W. W. Evershed (2 and 22), and Platts (16 and 14). In the second innings of Derbyshire Pilling kept wicket superbly and got rid of five batsmen. May 31.—Oxford.—Lancashire v .Oxford University.—( Matches.') 1st Inns. 2nd Inns. Total. June 4, Lancashire 206 238 444 Manchester. Kent 309 65 374 Lancashire won by 70 runs. A most brilliant and remarkable victory. The Lancashire men followed their inning 3 against a majority of 103, and yet won the match by 70 runs. The result was in a great measure due to the batting of Mr. Hornby, who scored 88 and 96. In no other match during the season was the Lancashire captain seen to anything like the same advantage. His hitting in both innings was exceptionally fine. The Kent men were unlucky in having to play their second innings on a worn-out wicket. The bowling of Bai-low and Watson was so extremely difficult that the batsmen had a real excuse for their failure. On the first day, Lord Harris and Mr. R. S. Jones played splendidly, the former scoring 118 and Mr. Jones 83. The two batsmen put on 166 runs while they were together. June 7.—Nottingham.—Lancashire r. Notts.— (See Notts Review.) June 11.—Lord’ s Lancashire v, M.C.O. and Ground,—( M.C.C. Review.)