James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1885

112 below the old standard of the eleven, it must be admitted that bad luck had a good deal to do with the run of ill success. The county laboured under the old disadvantage of not being able to collect its full strength for the early matches, and there were other unfortunate circumstances for which no one could have been prepared. During all the years he has been playing cricket, Mr. W. G. Grace has never been so much incommoded by accidents, and his injuries proved a serious matter for the county. In two matches he had to bat with a bad hand, and in others he was so lame that his bowling was almost useless. Gloucester, shire's misfortunes reached a climax when the death of their mother compelled the brothers Grace to stand out of the return matches with Yorkshire and Nottingham. Afterwards there came an improvement and in the August home matches the county accomplished some highly creditable performances, a hard earned victory over Lancashire beincr followed by capital drawn games with Middlesex and Surrey. ° Though it is not at all probable that Gloucestershire will ever again take its old position among the counties, it can still, with all the°best men available, put a strong batting side into the field. Unfortunately the best men cannot often be got together. Mr. Pullen, for instance,’ only played in six county matches out of twelve. It is the general opinion, that if he could give up the whole summer to cricket, this young batsman would take a very high position. One of the most satisfactory features of a disappointing season was the remarkable improvement shown by Mr. J. H. Brain and Painter. In their different styles, these two batsmen rendered brilliant service to the eleven. Mr. Brain abun­ dantly justified the good opinions that were expressed of him when he was in the Clifton team, and there is every reason to think that he will do better still in the future. He plays in fine style, and with a perfectly straight bat Painter, who was understood to owe a good deal to Mr. W. G. Grace’s coaching, has a very inferior method of play, but he is a most plucky hitter, and is always likely to be dangerous against any but the very best bowling. He twice played an innings of over 100, Mr. W. G. Grace worked for the eleven with all his old spirit and energy, and despite the difficulties under which he laboured, his batting shows an excellent result. Woof had to bear the brunt of the bowling, and did a lot of hard work. Two or three of his performances on the perfect wickets at Clifton were remarkable. It is necessary to say, however, that his delivery did not escape unfavourable comment. It will be noticed that neither Mr. Moberly nor Mr. Cranston played for Gloucester­ shire last season. The crying need is more bowling, but, though the demand is urgent, the supply does not seem to be forthcoming. A very favourable draw was played by the County against the Australians at Clifton, but at Cheltenham the Colonists gained an easy victory in a single innings. 1st l im e . 2nd Inn s . Total. [ay 8, Loreton-in-the- Marsh. Gloucestershire Yorkshire 170 128 43 135 222 263 Yorkshire won by 41 runs. After having had much the best of the match on the first two days, the Gloucestershire men went all to pieces on the Saturday, and^ were beaten when victory looked fairly in their grasp. They had only 85 runs l