Lives in Cricket No 24 - Edgar Willsher

66 a more positive approach as the shadows lengthened. By the close, he had reached 18 and Freeman three out of 126 for seven. Shaw and Rowbotham had both played their part in stabilising the innings with solid double-figure contributions. Although their batting had hardly set the world alight, England had made a fair start against some keen fielding, and only after the Americans’ first innings reply would they discover whether they had made a par score. When play resumed at 11.30 the next day, more than 3,000 spectators had gathered, including many more of the ‘fair sex’. Norley swiftly disposed of Pooley and Freeman, leaving England precariously placed at 139 for nine. Willsher then demonstrated that he was no ordinary number eleven by making a lively contribution to a last-wicket stand of 36, and, by the time he was caught in the outfield for 16, the total had climbed to a respectable 175. Norley had toiled manfully for 80 four-ball overs, 43 of them maidens, and had finished with the deserved figures of six for 67. In all, the innings had lasted 159.3 overs, giving an excruciating scoring rate of 27 runs per 100 balls. If England could claim that fast scoring was impossible with the outfield so densely populated, the Americans had no such excuse for their even more sluggish 26 per 100 balls. They were simply outclassed. Willsher and Freeman bowled unchanged through 58.3 overs as the pick of New York was bundled out for just 61. They were brilliantly supported in the field, Rowbotham being especially outstanding at longstop, where he let only four balls past him all innings. Willsher picked up 13 wickets for 23 and Freeman seven for 28, with Norley being run out. Following on at 5.15 that night, the Americans closed at 10 for three, and the organisers were already planning an exhibition match the next day in case of an early finish. They need not have worried. The New Yorkers rallied to such an extent that at one stage, with the score 56 for 10, it was hoped that they could hang on for a draw, but once Rogerson, elevated to number four after being last man in the first innings, had gone for 22, the remainder of the batting fell away. At four o’clock, the last wicket fell at 88, leaving England worthy victors by an innings and 26 runs. Indeed, most of the interest had gone out of the match by stumps on the second day, and, as if aware of this, the fielding was not up to the exalted standards of the first innings. Willsher had given himself a deserved rest, leaving the field clear for Alfred Shaw, who captured nine for 21 in 25 overs. Captain of England