James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Companion 1885

10 disadvantages of continually playing a weak eleven and of having an absolute lack of change bowlers to support M r , \V. G. G race and Woo? In August, when nearly the best team was available, the cricket showed a marked improvement. In the return match, against S urrey , the Western County went in against a score of 464 and surpassed it by 20! D erbyshire had a disastrous season, playing ten matches and losing theiu all. Bad luck had something to do with this, as in nine out of the ten * ” ' *. 1 4 T t * <%• V engagements they lost the toss. There were some fair cricketers in the * team, but none who can at present be considered first-class. « j Of the minor counties, H ampshire was distinctly the most prominent. In the match with S ussex , at Southampton, Mr. F. E. L acey accom­ plished one of the most remarkable batting performances of the year, scoring 211 and 92 (not out). Mr. E. O. Powell, who very nearly gaineda * place in the Cambridge eleven, also rendered the side great assistance. The M arylkbone C lub , so far as first-class matches were concerned, did not have a particularly successful season, being beaten twice by O xford U niversity , and once each by S ussex , D erbyshire , N otts , and Y orkshire ^ A one-innings’ triumph over the A ustralians , however, went a long way towards making up for these defeats. The alteration of rule, by which one-day matches were decided on the first innings, had an extraordinary m effect upon the Club’s results, for, whereas 6*1 matches were drawn in M 1883, only 28 were left unfinished last season. The A ustralian matches at Lord’s attracted enormous crowds, and it is certain that in no previous season have so many people visited the old ground. The P hiladelphian trip was completely overshadowed by the visit of the A ustralians , but, nevertheless, it fulfilled the object of its promoters, and was socially a very great success. The A mericans made friends wherever they went, and expressed themselves delighted with their trip to England. Judging by their play, they were wise to confine them* selves to matches against amateurs. M r . L owry obtained a lot of wickets, hut, speaking generally, the weak point of the side was its howling. % M r . C. A. N ewiiall , the fast bowler, of whom so much had been heard, is long past his prime, and, moreover, he was handicapped by an accident at the commencement of the tour. Several members of the team showed excellent capabilities as batsmen, and, with increased opportunities of first-class practice, M r . J. A. S cott w ill probably make a name for himself. It has been said that at an early date the P hiladelphians are likely to visit us again.