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However (It is a point worth)

it is a point worth remembering, and I have met several batsmen who found it of great assistance to them when they were unable to spot the break as the ball left my hand.

There are one or two points of CRICKET] general interest which have struck me from time to time.

One is the curious difference in batsmen and their methods, and the quickness with which they learnt to distinguish the googly. googly.

One or two spotted it the first time I bowled to them, and never experienced any difficulty in playing it, while others could never detect the difference in the delivery, and never would. I have bowled to certain people in the nets time after time, and they have never been sure of the break, while others readily detected it after a few innings. Of those who were unable to detect the break, the most successful were those who made a practice of hitting every good-length ball of which they had any doubt round to leg, and this is the method I should recommend to all who find trouble in playing this type of bowling.

It is a remarkable fact that the googly has been bowled for years past, and by many bowlers, but only accidentally, and without any knowledge of how or why the break came. It is surprising that none of these bowlers ever investigated this phenomenon, or tried to develop their powers in this direction. As an instance of this, I once saw Mr. P. W. Cobbold, bowling on a sandy ground, dig so deep a hole with his left foot as to cause him to overbalance as he delivered each ball. The effect was remarkable, inasmuch as he found himself bowling nothing but "googlies," and absolutely unable to bowl an ordinary leg-break. On going round the wicket, he once more became a leg-break bowler, and could not bowl a single googly! Further, I have never seen him consciously bowl a real googly before or since. This is a very good illustration of the manner in which the googly is obtained, and may help to make clear the effect of the turning over of the hand and wrist on which I have laid such emphasis. This is the point which escaped notice for so long, and I believe I can claim to have been the first to discover the principle, and to apply it consciously in practice. Once understood, it is absolutely simple and within the reach of everybody, and one hopes to see even greater developments along these lines than the South African bowlers have shown us. It is merely a matter of practice, and, given sufficient application, the knack can be acquired by anyone.

B. J. T. BOSANQUET.

Fielding. It is not given to every man to be a brilliant fieldsman, but as good fielding, both catching and ground-fielding," is essential to anyone who has even secondclass pretensions, it should be carefully practised; there is no better practice than for four or five men to go out and to take it in turns to hit the ball either in the air or along the ground to each other. It is well to take out several balls, and to vary the distance between striker and fieldsman.

It will soon be found that nerve and courage are necessary as well as agility and alacrity, and that the art of catching can be largely improved by practice. Nerve, activity, and accuracy are therefore essential nerve for facing a hard hit, activity for getting to the proper place to stop it, and accuracy for returning it hard and straight to the bowler or wicket-keeper.

Catching. This should be practised at all distances from the striker, in every pos- [Photo. by G. W. Beldam. sible position relative to him, with both hands together, and with right and left separately. The fieldsman should carefully watch the batsman, as his motions generally give a clue to the direction of the hit; but short-slip and cover-slip should watch the bowler, as the ball when it comes to those places is seldom sent there intentionally, and the batsman's movements give no hint.

No rules can be given for sharp, low hits to fieldsmen standing from seven to thirty yards from the wicket; each man will find out by observation and practice what method is easiest for himself, but a onehanded catch may well be received on the middle joint of the middle finger, when the other fingers will form a sort of cage to retain the ball; other men prefer to take it on the lowest joint. Again, it is sometimes useful with a hard-hit catch, far from the body, to try to break its force by knocking it up a little way into the air, but there is a distinct risk attaching to this process, unless practice has made the fieldsman an adept at it, and the catching of hard hits. which come to the hands like a flash of lightning, is more a matter of instinct than of instruction. Fig. 14 is a good illustration of a sharp, low catch as it comes to point or slip. In all catches it should be remembered that the ball should be allowed to strike the hand, which should then give with it slightly so as to break the force of its impact. Any "grabbing" at the ball is almost invariably fatal and is likely to knock the ball away. Long fingers and a lissom wrist are a great adjunct to good catching.

If the ball is hit high, the first thing is to judge the true course of its flight and the place of its descent, as naturally it seldom singles out the fieldsman. This "judging" must be instinctive and instantaneous, and must be followed by a rapid run to the place of descent, the fieldsman, if possible, getting to the place and steadying himself for the catch, which, if all goes satisfactorily, will be effected as in Fig. 15. The sides of the hands are close together, thumbs uppermost, forming a sort of cup, and the wrists held close to the body so that the ball may be hugged" (Law 22) if it jumps out of the cup." The wrists should be allowed to give a little as soon as the ball “ ،، [CRICKET himself to rushing at catches at all sorts of distances from him and on all sides of him, holding them as best he can; and if there is any one maxim which should be writ large in his mind it is "Try for every ball hit towards you, whether in the air or along the ground." Many a wonderful catch has been made which the fieldsman never thought he could even reach, still less hold, but which he tried to reach and catch.

Occasionally a few runs may thus be lost, but the chance of a wicket is worth a risk in runs, and even if the catch does not come off the fieldsman will have won the [Photo. by G. W. Beldam. is felt. Fig. 16 shows a one-handed catch in the long-field.

All these preliminaries are only occasionally possible, so the cricketer must accustom [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

CATCH IN THE COUNTRY. دو bowler's heart. When a catch is missedas many catches are the next thing to do is not to tear one's hair, but to throw the ball in; a man is occasionally run out by a sharp return from a missed catch; anyhow, the "hair-tearing can wait. One more hint, "Never use one hand for a catch when both can easily be got to the right place"; but if a catch is nearly at arm's length from the body, it is sometimes easier to take it with one hand than with two.

Experience is the only guide.

Ground-Fielding. If a ball is hit along the ground, the first thing to be done is to stop it; but mere "stopping" is not sufficient; it should be stopped, and held, and thrown in without an instant's delay to bowler or wicket-keeper. The hand is the CRICKET] proper member to stop the ball with, but as the hand may be deceived, a second line of defence should be provided, viz., the legs. Hence, when possible, the fieldsman should stand full face towards the line of the ball, heels together-this is most im- [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

A. E. TROTT MAKING A ONE-HANDED CATCH IN THE SLIPS. portant and hands together in front of the heels. In short, the ball must be stopped at all hazards. But mere stopping is not always enough. If the ball is only moving. towards the fieldsman at a moderate speed, and he remains stationary, it is clear that the batsman may have time to get a run, to avert which the fieldsman must not await, but meet the ball, dashing in at full speed, picking it up clean, and throwing it in. One attempt will convince the novice of the difficulty of doing all this when the ball is moving slowly. Augment the pace, and every difficulty is many times multiplied. The moral is "Practise!" The beginner should, however, be warned against trying to be brilliant when, on the face of it, he can save the run without dashing in, as brilliant fieldsmen often lose runs by dashing at the ball and missing it, when "running" was the last thought in the batsmen's minds.

Throwing.-Too high a value cannot be set on hard and accurate throwing, in which point many English fieldsmen, perhaps owing to the effect of a wet and chilly climate on the necessary muscles, are often deficient. The ideal throw comes into the wicket-keeper's or bowler's hands about six inches above the wicket; from a distance of thirty yards or less it should go straight from hand to hand; from longer distances it should be thrown on to the ground, but so as to be a long-hop to the receiver; any other "length" is very difficult to handle.

From long distances it is a waste of strength to throw a ball high-a low, skimming throw is far more useful, and reaches the wicket quicker. The ball should be thrown, too, directly it is fairly in the hand, as a long preliminary "wind-up" is wasted time; the batsman, unable at once to judge the accuracy of the throw, dare not start when it is seen to be on its way. It is very useful to be able to hit the wicket, but only rarely should the experiment be tried. If the wicket-keeper knows his business, the time wasted in catching the ball and breaking the wicket is infinitesimal; if, however, time is very precious, the fieldsman may throw at the top, and the top only, of the stumps. Especial care should be taken to spare the bowler's fingers as much as possible.

A cricketer should be able to take any place in the field to which the captain may ask him to go, but after some experience he will probably find that some particular position suits him best, and to that place he should go whenever he has the oppor- [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

J. T. TUNNICLIFFE. tunity. In case either bowler or wicketkeeper should miss the ball, or the ball go wide of him, at least two fieldsmen should be behind him to save "overthrows"; nothing shows want of organisation so much as bad "backing up "-a term, by the way, which is also used when a fieldsman passes the ball on from a throw from the deepfield which is too long for the original fieldsman's powers.

No special directions seem needed for special places in the field; some men will [CRICKET their right places. Hence it is the ideal place for the captain, and even if the two offices cannot be combined, the wise captain will generally consult his wicket-keeper as to any changes of bowling and the progress of the game generally. A wicket-keeper must be prepared to take some painful knocks; balls are hard and hands are soft.

It is most difficult to judge the exact course of the ball, especially if it be deflected; a blow on the shin, rib, knee, or top of the thumb is both painful and disconcerting; batsmen do not always get out of the way of a rising ball in time to let the wicketkeeper do the same, and fieldsmen often throw the ball in most erratically. Still, as every team must have a wicket-keeper, and no cricketer must shirk a few hard knocks, every aspirant should try whether [Photo. bv G. W. Beldam.

MR. A. O. JONES. find that their quickness qualifies them for positions near the wicket, others that their powers of throwing and of judging long hits makes them good out-fielders, but for short-slip and cover-slip a few hints may be useful, as, especially to fast bowling, they are the most important men on the side, not excepting the wicket-keeper.

From these two, then, especial vigilance is demanded; they must watch the ball-not the batsman, as other fielders should-from the moment the bowler begins to run, stooping down, hands to the front ready for action, in the crouching position of the wicket-keeper. Quickness of hand is more important to them than quickness of foot, and they should be able to catch well with either hand. No place in the field is more delightful or more difficult.

The Wicket-Keeper. - No post, except the bowler's, is more important and more responsible than the wicket-keeper's, and by the end of the season he will generally have dismissed more of his opponents than any other two fieldsmen, with the possible exception of short-slip. To a keen and competent cricketer the charms of the position are many; the wicket-keeper is incessantly on the alert, he enjoys the finest view of the game, he can appreciate better than any one else the delicacies of the bowler's and batsman's art, and he can tell, as no one else can, whether the fieldsmen are in [Photo. by G. W. Beldam MR. A. O. JONES. he possesses the needful quickness and accuracy of hand and eye.

The wicket-keeper's first duty is to get the batsman out, his second-subsidiary to the first, but quite important to save runs in the shape of byes. Except when the bowling is remarkably fast, the skilful wicket-keeper may attain both ends by standing close up to the stumps, but to very fast bowling it is generally considered advisable to stand about ten yards behind the wicket, sacrificing the chance-which seldom occurs with really fast bowling-of stumping a man. When standing up, he should be so close to the wicket that he can easily touch it with his hands; his body should be mainly on the off-side, where most of the chances come, but his left leg should be just outside the leg stump, so as to stop any ball which may just miss it.

If the ball is seen to be coming outside the CRICKET] batsman's legs, he must jump across like lightning, knees together, and hands at the height at which the ball may be estimated to come, as the batsman's body prevents a consecutive view of it. Some wicketkeepers stand entirely on the off-side, when they can implicitly trust the bowler's accuracy. The body must be bent-the wicket-keeper must stoop to conquer-till the eyes are a little higher than the wicket.

The hands should be spread out, with the palms forward and well pressed back, so that the finger tips may be spared injury as far as possible. When the batsman plays forward there is always a chance that he will lift his right toe, if only for an instant, hence the wicket-keeper, so as to lose no time, must take the ball directly it passes the wicket and bring it like lightning up to the bails, or the precious moment may be lost. The bails should not be knocked off unnecessarily, but it is better to do so too often than too seldom. If the batsman touches the ball and also leaves his ground, the wicket-keeper must not neglect to break the wicket even though he has caught the ball, as the umpire may 66 A. A. LILLEY. [Photo. by G. W. Beldam. fail to hear or see the catch, and in that case the second string to the bow" is invaluable. There is no chance of دو a " stump-out if the batsman plays back [see BACK-PLAY, p. 452], hence the wicketkeeper will then be wise to take the ball well behind the wicket, which will give him a better chance of following its course and of saving his hands. He must learn to stand perfectly firm, never flinching except when a ball rises suddenly. When learning, a long-stop gives confidence, but he should be gradually dispensed with; legballs may be left severely alone by the beginner. If the hands get badly bruised, they should be rested at once, and above all things, after a long innings, they should be rubbed, while still warm, with embrocation, which will prevent any bruises or soreness from becoming permanent.

Appeals to the umpire should be made as seldom as possible, but then quickly and confidently, and only when the wicket-keeper is sure, or nearly sure, of the answer "Out!" The left hand should be well practised in catching and "grabbing" at balls, for which purpose Fives is an admirable exercise. When the ball is thrown in from the field the wicketkeeper should always stand so that the wicket is between him and the thrower, and the ball, as in stumping, should be taken, unless it is coming very slowly, after it has passed the wicket. Chances come so thickly to the wicket-keeper that the best men miss many, hence occasional failure must not produce discouragement, for coolness in spite of mistakes often enables a man to retrieve his blunders. If two men are running for a catch, the wicket-keeper should call out loudly, distinctly, and promptly, the name-nothing more of the man who has, in his opinion, the best chance of securing it. Most wicket-keepers nowadays make their gloves sticky by artificial means, the better to retain the ball, to such an extent that a man has been seen to lift a ball off the ground without grasping it.

Whether this is right or not, from a moral point of view, is a moot question, but it is generally done and no objections are raised.

If, however, the gloves are too sticky, the bowler will complain when he finds that the ball will not readily leave his hand. The practice is useful to wicket-keeping, but does not conduce to good bowling.

Too much stress cannot be laid on the necessity of taking care of the hands. No man who has to keep wicket in first-class cricket should risk his fingers by taking the same place in other matches. Indiarubber fingerstalls worn inside the gloves are a great protection, both from bruise and dislocation, but some men hold that they interfere too much with the freedom of the fingers' action. Good pads are essential, but, if a bad bruise occurs on the leg, a batting-glove, inside the pad, is a very useful protection; and another useful guard is to have a thick piece of padding sewn on to the inside of the pad, so as to protect the inside of the right knee-a most vulnerable point. Yet one more hint: if the ball is so badly thrown up as it often will be-that it will reach the wicket-keeper on the "half-volley," he will find it almost impossible, or certainly very difficult, to handle it; as a last resort, he should let it hit his legs (knees and heels together), and A. A. LILLEY. [Photo. by G. W. Beldam. so place himself that it may bound from his pads to the wicket. Finally, the wicketkeeper should always return the ball to the bowler as a gentle catch or long-hop; the bowler is bearing the burden and heat of the day, and it is sheer cruelty and bad policy to increase his labours by a crooked return, or a half-volley.

If the wicket-keeper or bowler has to run after the ball, the nearest fieldsman should at once hurry to the deserted wicket, in case there may be a chance of running a man out.

M. C. KEMP.

The Captain. As the captain who is chosen to manage a side in the field has, almost invariably, a voice in its selection, the two questions-management and selection-are here included under the same head.

The two best bowlers available should be chosen first, as attack is more important than defence. Next comes the best wicketkeeper who can be secured, and after them the three or four best batsmen-always supposing that they are good "fields"; for it must not be forgotten that a fine field always saves runs, though a fine batsman frequently fails to get them. This leaves [CRICKET دو five places to be filled up; two, at least, must be good class bowlers, who can also bat fairly well, and the last three vacancies may be given to men who can bat well and field well, regardless of their bowling powers; though probably one at least can "go on at a pinch. When there is any doubt, a sure fieldsman who can bat fairly well should be selected over the head of a better batsman who is known to field badly, but it is no good sacrificing batting to moderate bowling. "If you can't win with four good bowlers, you can't win at all," is a recognised axiom, though if the players can bowl as well as bat and field, so much the better. A "googly" or a lob-bowler is a useful addition to a side. So much for the composition of the team, which contains two bowlers, selected for their bowling only, and a wicket-keeper chosen merely to fill that post; two men who bat fairly and bowl fairly, the rest being all respectable fieldsmen, and some of them brilliant batsmenwith, perhaps, a change bowler or two among them. With a side so composed, the captain need not be afraid "to speak with his enemies in the gate." 66 Some remarks on the captain's duties preliminary to the call of Play!" will be found on p. 447; but if he wins the toss, he has first to make up his mind whether he will send in his own side or his adversaries. The latter policy is rarely good. To take first innings implies that the ingoing side has the wicket when fresh, and that the other will have to play the fourth innings when the turf will be more or less cut up a serious disadvantage. To send the other side to the wickets implies that the captain is sure-nothing short of "sure"-that the ground will improve with time, and during the continuance of the game. The man who can feel thus positive as to his weather-wisdom has not yet been born; hence the best advice, notwithstanding what others may say, is, "Go in nearly always, if you are lucky to win the toss." Critics may be wise after the event, but that means nothing. Very special circumstances may alter cases, but there are few occasions when it can possibly be a foreseen disadvantage to bat first. One may be a two- or three-day match with every prospect of settled weather, the wicket "caked," but rapidly on the mend under a mid-summer sun in a cloudless sky.

In making out the "order of going in," the best batsmen should be sent in early, but a young player, a "colt," who is being played as a batsman, may well be sent in first, before the bowlers have got into their swing, as a good beginning will banish all CRICKET] nervousness. If two men are of equal merit, the one who can bowl should go in before the other, so as to give him a chance of a rest if he makes a long innings. The last few men, the "tail," may bat in a descending order of merit. The captain should always be on the spot, in case any point of strategy requires his presence, especially if his side goes in late in the day, and a wicket falls just before time, in which case it may be advisable to send in an inferior batsman in the waning light, so as to avoid, if possible, the loss of a more valuable wicket. But on this point experience-and all captains should be experienced-is the best guide. A left-hander may well be sent in early, as he is likely to destroy the equanimity of the field if he makes a long stay. Slow scorers, again, may be sent in before hard-hitters, if time is of no importance, but if the "game has to be forced," the hitters must have precedence, especially if rain has fallen on a hard wicket, and is followed by bright sunshine. Such condition of things always implies a "caked" wicket in the early future, and the hitters must make their runs while the sun shines, but before it has ruined the wicket. If time is precious, a left-hander should not be sent in, as the incessant changes in the field waste time. The captain should see that a heavy roller is not used after rain, if its weight is likely to bring the water to the surface. a The captain's task is more arduous, and more severely criticised, when his side is fielding. He must of course assign to his men the positions which are known to suit them best, though these may be varied as the game proceeds. He should be careful to see that no man has an unnecessarily long journey between the overs, and that his bowlers are not required to run about in the field after their spell of bowling. A bowler must be spared all unnecessary exertion.

All changes in the position of the fieldsmen should be made by the captain, but only after consultation with the bowler, or at his suggestion, if approved; but the captain of an eleven should be, like the captain of a manof-war, an absolute autocrat. At the same time, he should so far veil his despotism as to consult with the bowler occasionally, and with the wicket-keeper always-or nearly always as to any change of bowling which events have not rendered obvious.

He must watch the score, and remember that it is generally better policy to change his bowling too often than too seldom, and that when one of the original, and presumably best bowlers has been removed, it is better to reinstate him as soon as possible, than to try another bowler, who is inferior.

If the principle may be worked into a maxim, that maxim would run, "Trust to your best bowlers to get the wickets, and regard the others as mere reliefs"; at the same time, the willing horse must not be worked to death, and frequent but short rests will help the captain to make the most of his attack.

When two batsmen are well set, the captain's power of resource is tested to its uttermost; if a separation seems hopeless, he should try every bowler, however inferior, in turn, hoping that a stroke of luck may break up the partnership. This done, the best bowlers should be called to the attack once more, as if the inferior, though [Photo by G. W. Beldam.

MR. G. L. JESSOP. successful, bowler is allowed to continue, the newcomer will probably "get his eye in," and defy the most dangerous assault.

A bowler sometimes sends down a succession of “maidens." Unless the batsman's defence is seriously taxed, this bowler should be changed; he is only helping the batsman to get set; but on this point the wicket-keeper should always be consulted, as he can see better than anyone else if the batsman is really at his ease or not.

The captain should field near the wicket - if he can keep wicket, so much the better for his side-and he must set his men an example of hard work and cool temper; for the captain who shows signs of ill-humour, however slight, at any blunder on the part of his men, will never pull them together in the hour of distress. A word of sympathy with the man who has just missed a catch will restore the erring one's peace of mind, which a hasty ejaculation would have banished for the rest of the innings.

To be a disciplinarian is one thing, to be a martinet is another; and this the captain need seldom be.

It would be easy to write for ever on the various qualifications required in a captain, and the various contingencies which may call for special qualities. The hints here given must be sufficient, with the addendum that only a cricketer of some experience should accept the post, unless it is forced upon him, and that only experience in the field and observation from the pavilion can teach him his multifarious duties.

The Umpires. The ideal umpire must be a man of wide experience, quick of eye, and prompt in decision. Needless to say, he must know the laws of the game thoroughly.

The best umpires are generally first-class professionals, who have recently retired from active service and are known to be men of the highest integrity, with their sight and other faculties still unimpaired.

Umpires have no light task: they are the first to enter the field and the last to leave it; their attention is strained throughout to the uttermost; they get practically no rest, as probably one-half of the players do, except the intervals for luncheon, tea, or between the innings; and the points on which an instantaneous decision is necessary are sometimes most delicate, and a moment's inattention, resulting in a wrong decision, may have a very serious effect on the match. Nothing, then, is so wrong to the writer's way of thinking, so suicidalas an incessant series of appeals, or, worse still, an expression of ill-temper, when batsman or fieldsman is dissatisfied with the decision of a hard-worked official, who is presumably doing his very best to be impartial and accurate. Only those who have filled the post, however unimportant the match, can fully sympathise with its difficulties.

For the umpires' duties Laws 43-54 should be studied, and the "Instructions to Umpires," issued by the M.C.C. That body appoints the umpires for each match in the County Championship, the list, of some twenty, being revised each December by the captains of the first-class counties. An umpire is not allowed to officiate in a match in which a county for which he has played takes part.

Five minutes before play begins the umpires go out to the wickets, taking the ball and bails with them, but, under the new order, they are required to report themselves to the manager of the ground each day half an hour before the time for starting play.

Their positions are shown on p. 448; their first duty will be to give the batsman "guard" (see p. 448), standing for the purpose wherever the latter wishes.

As the bowler delivers the ball, the umpire [CRICKET at that end must stand so that he can see clearly down the line of the wickets, and watch the bowler's foot and hand (as best he can), in case he delivers a "no-ball." All doubtful catches will be referred to him; if he is unable to give a decision he must appeal to his colleague; if neither can decide, "the existing state of things continues," i.e., the striker remains at the wicket. If the umpire is not perfectly sure that the batsman is out, he must give the verdict in his favour. He will be most frequently appealed to for a catch by the wicket-keeper, often the slightest touch on the edge of the bat, and in this case most good umpires agree that the eye must be convinced as well as the ear, for there are many things which may cause a "click" which sounds like the contact of bat and ball.

All cases of "leg-before," the hardest of all, come before the bowler's umpire, who must be absolutely convinced that Law 24 has been infringed before ordering the batsman out. It should be remembered that if the ball hit the leg first and the bat afterwards, the striker is out, provided that the ball has fulfilled the conditions required by Law 24. In deciding the question of "the fitness of the ground" (Law 43), the turf should be in a condition fair both to batsman and bowler, and the best umpires consider the ground fit for play after rain if the pressure of the foot brings no water to the surface of the wicket, and if the bowlers can get a reasonable footing. The fieldsman, too, must be able to move pretty freely. “ The umpire at the striker's end has practically to decide only on a stump-out," "run-out" at his end, or "hit wicket"; but as his colleague may appeal to him at any moment, he must never relax his vigilance, and he may no-ball a bowler of whose action he is doubtful.

Umpires have a code of signals by which they communicate with the scorers. Thus, a bye is signalled by holding up the hand; a leg-bye by lifting and touching the leg; a boundary-hit by waving one arm horizontally; a no-ball by extending one arm horizontally; and a wide by extending both. A short run, being loudly called, requires no signal. The scorer answers and acknowledges signals by holding up his hand. At every cessation of play the umpires should bring the bails away with them; at the end of the match, or of the day's play, they bring the stumps also; hence "to draw the stumps" means "to stop play for the day."

They should be careful to call wides and CRICKET] no-balls clearly and promptly; when a wide is signalled only the non-striker does not know whether it is a wide or not, and may consequently be at a loss whether to run a bye or not.

The Scorers. Each side usually provides its own scorer, and the two can thus keep a mutual check on each other. Strict attention to the game and to the umpire's signals, which should be promptly answered, is necessary, and care must be taken, when the full score is not shown on the telegraph, that each successive "ten" is promptly exhibited. The method of keeping the "analysis of the bowling" is perfectly simple, and a properly-printed score-sheet really explains itself. An imaginary extract is, however, given here, as a matter of completeness. When only one run is required to finish the game, the scorers are required by tradition to stand up.

Match played at. between... and ..............innings.

Batsman's 6 name. Runs as scored.

Jones... 11324114 Smith .. ...

How out. ...... .on.

May Bowler's name. Total. bowled c Thompson Robinson...

Robinson... 17 Brown.. 4144231114 c and b ...... Johnson Stokes.. 1 3 Noakes. 13441 run out ......... st Thompson Johnson Styles.. 133241114 not out ... ...

Byes, 144; leg-byes, 12113; no-balls, I; wides, I Total ..

O 25 4 13 20 19 interest, and when in later years it became customary for certain counties, presumably the best, to put a regularly organised team in the field, and to play home-and-home matches with others, it also became customary at the end of the year to analyse results, and to pronounce this county or that the champion county of the year. But as there was an absolute lack of system, it was practically the sporting newspapers which decided the championship, each more or less according to its taste, and no real importance was attached to the title. In 1873 the question of county qualification was raised and settled, and in 1888 a further rule was passed, but no definite "County Classification" was adopted until the middle nineties, when, by tacit consent, certain counties were held to be "first-class," and to be the competitors for the championship, which is now awarded by the M.C.C. At that date, too, several new counties were ،، ... admitted to the "sacred pale" of first-class, followed by Worcestershire, and later by Northamptonshire. In 1896 a new system of awarding the Championship was arranged with a saving clause whereby it was left to the Marylebone Club to decide the destination of the title and the number of inter-county matches which each county must play, if it wished to qualify for the championship. The whole system may be regarded as rough and ready," but there is a general "roughness and readiness" about many of the regulations attached to the game which is possibly one of its charms, for, as all cricketers know, a thousand and one problems may be suggested for which the laws do not properly provide, or as to which the dispensers of those laws the umpires are not in accord.

The trial of a new system, which has, however, serious faults, was arranged for 1910, and in this the order depends on the proportion of victories to matches played. 98 An extract from the bowling analysis might read as follows:- Robinson W 4 I X 4 II n I ،، In the first over a wicket (w) was secured by the third ball, while the last was hit for four runs. The second was a maiden,' i.e., no runs were scored by the batsman off it. The first ball of the third was wide (x), and the fourth of the fourth a noball (n). Only runs from the bat spoil a " maiden," none that are called or signalled, except boundary-hits. The bowler is credited with the wickets of all men whom he bowls out, and of all who are caught, stumped, 1.b.w., or "hit-wicket" off his bowling. If a batsman hits the ball on to his wicket, or it glances on to it off his leg, he is registered as "bowled," and the bowler gets the credit of the wicket.

County Cricket. - From very early times, matches between rival counties were common, and attracted much attention and In a work of this description it would be impossible to follow in detail the performances of different counties and their 66 ups and downs." A chart of the last fifty years would be full of interest, were it not for the desultory nature of the engagements before the whole question was formally taken in hand.

The following list of counties, which have been held to be "champions" in different seasons, can hardly be regarded (in the absence of definite rules, as was for some time the case) as final, but for the last twenty years it may be considered absolutely correct, and to be founded, for earlier years, on the consensus of public opinion, as the methods of calculation have often differed, KK and the number of matches played by each county depended on its own sweet will.

DATES OF FORMATION OF COUNTY CLUBS. [CRICKET Derbyshire 1870 Northamptonshire Essex, 1864-5 about 1843 (re- COUNTY CHAMPIONS SINCE 1880. 1880. Notts. (dissolved in formed 1878) 1866); re- Notts 1854 1889. Surrey, Notts, formed in 1876 Somerset 1886 1881. Lancashire. and and Lancaand 1886 1882. Lancashire and shire, equal.

Gloucestershire 1871 دو دو دو Notts, equal. 1883. Notts. 1884. 1885. 1886. 1890. Surrey.

Hampshire 1863 1887. Surrey. 1888. 1891. 1892. 1893. Yorkshire. 1894. Surrey. 1895.

Kent, 1859 (re- Surrey Sussex, 1836 (reformed 1839 and 1857) 1845 دو وو formed 1870) Warwick s hire, Lancashire 1864 Leicestershire. 1873 1863-4 (reformed 1882) Middlesex 1864 Worcestershire دو 1896. Yorkshire. 1865 1861 دو KENT, CHAMPIONS SUCCESSIVELY IN 1909 AND 1910.

W. Hearne (scorer).

A. Fielder.

Mr. J. R. Mr. K. L. Hutchings.

Mason.

E. Fairservice.

C. Blythe.

F. E. Woolley.

Mr. C. V. L.

Hooman.

Mr. D. W. Carr.

Mr. F. H. Knott. 1897. Lancashire. 1898. Yorkshire. 1899. Surrey. 1900. Yorkshire. 1901. 1902. 1903. Middlesex. دو دو 1904. Lancashire. 1905. Yorkshire. 1906. Kent. 1907. Notts. 1908. Yorkshire. 1909. Kent. 1910. Kent.

SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONS SINCE 1901.* 1901. Durham. 1902. Wiltshire. 1903. Northamptonshire. وو 1905. Norfolk. 1906. Staffordshire. 1907. Lancashire (2nd). 1908. Staffordshire. 1909. Wiltshire 1910. Norfolk. * When first officially recognised.

Jas. Seymour.

E. Huish.

E. Humphreys. "Lord's" and the "M.C.C."-Thomas Lord, born at Thirsk in 1757, was a cricketer of some note in his time. He suggested to Lord Winchilsea and other influential supporters of cricket the desirability of establishing a club in St.

Marylebone, and he must have been well supported, for he was enabled to purchase the site since called Dorset Square. The ground was called "Lord's," and the club, The Marylebone Cricket Club. Things went on smoothly there till 1811, when the increased rent demanded by the landlord compelled Lord to find a fresh ground.

He then removed his turf to a field in the neighbourhood of North Bank, St. John's CRICKET] Wood, but two years later the Regent's Canal was cut through this ground, and Lord again removed his turf, to the present site of "Lord's" in St. John's Wood Road.

What arrangement he made with his patrons will never be known, because all the Club records and documents were destroyed by fire in 1825, but he probably purchased the freehold from the Eyre Estate, took all the subscriptions and gate-money, and paid the expenses of the staff and of what few matches were played.

The first recorded match played by the Marylebone Club took place in 1788, the club having been founded the previous year.

As has been stated, Lord removed from Dorset Square to North Bank in 1811, but only one match is recorded as having been played there in that year, two only in 1812, three in 1813, the match on July 21st of that year being probably the last played at North Bank. The first recorded match played on the present ground is believed to have taken place on June 22nd, 1814, and Hertfordshire had the honour of opposing the Club on that occasion. About this time Lord built himself a house in the south-east corner of the ground, and lived there until about 1830. In or about the year 1825 there was great danger of the ground falling into the hands of the builders, but Mr.

William Ward stepped into the gap and purchased the remainder of Lord's interest.

To show the peril of the situation, however, it may be stated that plans were actually drawn and approved for the erection of a series of semi-detached villas along the St.

John's Wood Road frontage, and also on the east side of the ground.

Allusion has been made to the disastrous fire which destroyed the pavilion and its contents on the early morning of Friday, July 29th, 1825. The following account of the fire, as it was reported in the John Bull newspaper of Sunday, July 31st, 1825, will be of interest. "About one o'clock on Friday morning a fire broke out in the pavilion in Lord's Cricket Ground, and, from its being built of wood, it burnt with such fury that the whole was reduced to a heap of ruins before it was possible for the fire-engines to render any assistance.

The pavilion was built at a great expense, lately enlarged and decorated for the accommodation of the various clubs who frequent this ground; and with the exception of the foundation, nothing now remains. There was in the pavilion a large and valuable stock of wine, the property of the subscribers, which along with all their cricketing apparatus now no longer exists. Mr. Neale, the landlord of the tavern adjoining the ground, cannot account for the accident, for there never was any fire in the pavilion during the season beyond a lighted candle to enable gentlemen to smoke their cigars. Such, however, was the strength and power of the fire at its height that some of the trees in the adjoining gardens have been damaged." As has been stated, the fire broke out in the early hours of Friday morning; the match between Winchester and Harrow was completed on the Thursday night, and that between Eton and Harrow took place on the Friday and Saturday, but no mention is made in any of the records as to the inconvenience which the Harrow boys must have experienced through the loss of their cricket paraphernalia. The committee seems to have lost no time in erecting a new pavilion, for the anniversary dinner was held there on May IIth in the following year. This building was added to from time to time up to the year 1889, but had long been quite inadequate for the accommodation of the increased and increasing number of members. It was pulled down in August of that year; the foundation stone of the new structure was laid in September, and the present handsome pavilion opened to the Club in 1890. Its cost was about £17,500. Mr. William Ward continued to be the proprietor of Lord's Ground until 1836, when James Henry Dark purchased his interest, retaining it until 1864, when he sold his lease, including Tavern, Racquet and Tennis Courts, Billiard Room, &c., to the Club for £11,000.

In or about the year 1860 the freehold of the ground was sold by public auction, and although Dark personally expressed his opinion most strongly to several influential members of the Club that it was most desirable that the Club should become possessors of the freehold, it seemed to be no one's business, and in consequence a Mr.

Moses (who afterwards changed his name to Marsden) purchased the fee for £7,000.

This supineness on the part of the authorities cost the Club very dear, for in 1866 Mr. Marsden sold them the freehold for the sum of £18,313. The extent of ground thus acquired in 1866 amounted to about eight acres, including the sites of the buildings. In 1874 the Club purchased a slip of land extending from the north side of the ground to St. John's Wood Road and known as Guy's Garden, which brought the area up to nine acres. In 1887-when the Centenary of the Club was celebrated by two special matches and a banquet-the Club purchased for £18,500, from the KK 2 Trustees of the Clergy Orphan Corporation, 34 acres of land, known as Henderson's Nursery, bounded on the north by Cavendish Road, and on the east by Wellington Road. In 1897 the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company handed over to the Club the site of the Clergy Orphan Corporation School, extending to about 214 acres, and the total acreage, including sites of adjacent properties purchased from time to time, will amount to nearly twenty acres. The experiences at [CRICKET doubt been in great peril on more than one occasion, but some genuine friend and supporter of cricket has always stepped into the breach. One other record only need be mentioned; in the year 1826 four practice bowlers and two boys were employed in the service of the Club; in 1836, owing to the increase of the number of members, these were increased to five practice bowlers and five boys; and the number of matches played was nine. In 1896 the professional staff amounted to fifty-two, the LORDS CRICKET GROUND. the Test match with Australia in 1896 were such that it became necessary to give increased accommodation for the public, and the picturesque tennis and racquet courts on the south side were pulled down, and the huge Mound Stage to seat about 7,000 spectators was erected, the new tennis and racquet courts being built at the rear of and connected with the pavilion.

What the number of members was from the Club's formation up to the year 1845 will never be known, and probably Thomas Lord never published any accounts; but in 1845 the number is put at 465. It is not necessary to show how from year to year the number has steadily increased. In 1866 it amounted to 980; in 1876 to 2,188; in 1886 to 3,107; and in 1896 to over 4,000, and there were the names of 9,000 candidates on the books.

In 1909 the members were about 5,000, and there were 15,000 to 18,000 candidates on the books. It will be gathered from the foregoing statements that the Marylebone Cricket Club has made steady progress in all respects since its original foundation by Thomas Lord in 1787; its existence has no boys to fifteen, besides extra bowlers; and the number of matches played was 171, whilst in 1909 the ground staff numbered fifty-five, besides the extra bowlers and boys, and the number of matches played was 173. The present secretary, Mr. F. E.

Lacey, a Cambridge University and Hampshire cricketer, was appointed in the spring of 1898, on the resignation, after 22 years' service, of Mr. Henry Perkins, who was elected a life member of the Club.

The Oval, Kennington-that is, in its present form of a cricket ground-reached its Jubilee in the middle nineties. Mention of Kennington Oval itself can be found as early as 1818, when the river Effra, which ran on the south side of the ground at the time, overflowed its banks and caused considerable destruction in the neighbourhood. At that time "The Oval" was a market-garden, as it remained for years afterwards. It was still a marketgarden in 1844, when the demolition of the Beehive Tavern at Walworth compelled the members of the Montpelier Club, then the largest cricket club on the south side of London, to seek new pastures.

CRICKET] Their choice fell on the Oval, which was then, as it is now, the property of the Duchy of Cornwall. A lease of thirty-one years was granted by the Duchy in 1844 to Mr.

William Baker, a local resident of influence, and one of the best cricketers of the period.

An entry in the diary of Mr. Briant, of "The Horns" Tavern, shows that the first sod of the new cricket-ground was laid in March of the following year. In the previous autumn a meeting of the old members of the Montpelier Club had been held with the object of forming a County Club for Surrey. The proposal met with considerable favour, so much so that, at a dinner held in the autumn to give effect to the suggestion, seventy members of the Montpelier Club enrolled themselves as members.

With the club once constituted, no time was lost in getting the ground in order, with the result that 1845 saw the first match played on the Oval. The Mitcham Club had the satisfaction of being selected to meet the Montpeliers on this historic occasion, which was not inappropriately celebrated by an exciting game ending in a tie. Yet the Oval in those early days was not altogether secure for cricket. At one time, indeed, bad management had brought the club to such an enfeebled state that it was quite on the cards that it would be broken up and the Oval, as an open space, lost for ever. The generosity of a few enthusiastic sportsmen happily prevented this, but it was still some time before the danger was really over. The vigorous policy of Mr. John Burrup, who succeeded Mr. W. Denison, the original secretary, in 1847, gave the Oval a new tenure of life. The lease of the ground had just then fallen into the hands of the Surrey Club, and the Duchy of Cornwall was induced to grant a term of thirty-one years to three trustees representing the Surrey County Club. Since that time, though there was a succession of bad years from about 1870 to 1882, when Surrey cricket was hardly of the most attractive, the Oval has enjoyed a welldeserved and latterly increasing popularity. In the spring of 1855 another change took place in the secretaryship. Mr. John Burrup, who had held the post with the most beneficial results to the club for eight years, gave it up to his twin brother William. Under the latter's management the Oval soon underwent several much needed improvements. Hitherto the accommodation for players as well members had been of the most primitive character. All this was changed in 1858.

In that year the old pavilion was built, as ten mainly through Mr. W. Burrup's personal influence. For some fourteen years it remained practically in the same condition, while the Surrey eleven were at their best and Surrey cricket was in its palmy days.

It has been replaced, in its turn, by the present larger and more commodious structure. But in time Mr. William Burrup's tenure of the secretaryship came also to an end.

His resignation suggested the advisability of having a paid instead of an honorary secretary. The selection of the executive fell on an old Harrovian, Mr. C. W. Alcock, who at the time was well known both as a cricketer and a football-player, and who held office till his death in 1907. When he took office in 1872, Surrey cricket was in a bad way altogether. Young players had been to a great extent overlooked, and, as a consequence, for some years or so the Surrey eleven had more than their fair share of ill-success. The visit of the first Australian team to England in 1878 had not a little to do with the renaissance of the club, and the memorable match between England and Australia two years later the first Test ever played in England-brought the Oval again prominently before the public notice. The same season saw another great addition to the accommodation on the ground in the shape of the terraced banks, which have provided such an excellent sight of the game to hundreds on the occasion of big matches of late years. Meanwhile, the experiment of an open stand had been tried with such success that this was in time roofed in and still another covered stand provided. A new wing was added to the pavilion, and the accommodation for members as well as players materially improved. Latterly, the rapid increase in the number of members compelled the committee to consider seriously the necessity, not only of a large and more up-to-date pavilion, but also of a club house with provision for catering for the public frequenting the ground. The result has been that both the old pavilion and stand came down, and in their place were erected new buildings in 1898. For a long time better quarters had been needed, and in view of a match-list increasing year by year the only wonder was that some steps were not taken before. The cost of the present pavilion and tavern, including the decorations and furnishing of the pavilion, was roughly £38,000, whilst the membership on December 31st, 1909, was 3,394. Originally some II acres in area, the playing part of the ground is now about 9 acres. With the one exception of Lord's, the Oval has been the scene of more historic cricket matches than any ground in the kingdom, which is as much as to say in the world. The old Oxonian, Mr. W. Findlay, was appointed as Mr. Alcock's successor.

Other Famous Grounds. - Cambridge University. For many years the University has played on the ground which was opened by F. P.

Fenner in 1846, and which was known as "Fenner's" till in 1875 the C.U.C.C. leased the ground and added a handsome pavilion. In 1892 the club acquired the freehold. The match enclosure, about five acres, is covered with such beautiful turf that high scoring is the rule rather than the exception. The full size of the ground, now known as "The Cambridge University Cricket Ground," is about eight acres, and 10,000 persons can witness the game with ease.

Derbyshire has its headquarters at Derby, a ground of eleven acres, seven of which are reserved for matches and three for practice. The pavilion and grand stand seat about 1,000, and there is every convenience for the public. The turf, though a little coarse, is grown on good clay marl and wears exceedingly well. Some of the home matches are decided at Chesterfield and Glossop.

Essex has its ground at Leyton, where on a good gravel soil are eleven and a half acres of capital turf, eight and a half acres being reserved for cricket. There is plenty of accommodation for 12,000 persons, apart from the seats in the stands and pavilion, and a bowling green formed in the winter of 1909. Other improvements would be carried out did funds admit.

Gloucestershire. - The County Ground is at Bristol, and comprises fourteen acres and a half of good sound turf, eight of which are reserved for matches. There is a fairly large pavilion and stand. Three county matches are played annually on the Cheltenham College ground, a capital enclosure, these forming the "Cheltenham Festival." Matches are also given to Gloucester, and there is a "Bristol Week."

Hampshire plays several matches annually on the "Officers' Recreation Ground, Portsmouth," a ground famous for good wickets and high scoring, but the majority of the matches take place on the county ground at Southampton, where there is plenty of room for cricket, and on the good, sound turf the average scoring is very high. Bournemouth has also of late received a share, and promotes a successful festival.

Kent distributes its matches among various towns, but the headquarters of the county are at Canterbury, on the famous St. Lawrence ground, where the famous "week," the progenitor of all similar weeks, opens on the August Bank Holiday. The ground, thirteen acres in area, is welldrained and dries fast; the turf is of the best. It was purchased a few years since by the County Club. The ground can hold 14,000 spectators, including some 3,300 in the new pavilion (recently added to) and stands. A "week" is also held at Tonbridge, on the Angel ground, a large and commodious enclosure of excellent turf, at Tunbridge Wells, Dover, and Mote Park, Maidstone, which was made level in 1909, and a handsome pavilion erected. County matches are also played at Blackheath, Catford Bridge, and Gravesend.

Lancashire plays all its matches except two on the famous "Old Trafford Ground," Manchester.

The extent of the ground is ten acres, of the match enclosure seven; stands, pavilion, and other buildings occupy the remainder, whilst there are also a practice ground and club match pitch adjoining. The pavilion is a reduced faca [CRICKET simile of that at "Lord's." The turf is admirable, though often very slow, owing to One of the international the rainy climate. matches is always played at Old Trafford. Several county matches are played on the Aigburth Ground, Liverpool, where there is a splendid pavilion and every facility for cricket. About eight acres out of eleven are set apart for matches.

Leicestershire. - The county ground is in the Aylestone Road, and all county matches are played there. The ground, eleven acres in extent, is covered with good turf; and half of it forms the match portion. The pavilion and stand seat 1,500 persons, and there is plenty of seating round the ground.

Lord's is the headquarters of English cricket.

From the clayey nature of the soil, the ground is as hard as iron after a succession of hot days, but after rain it is probably the most treacherous in England. [See LORD's and M.C.C.] Middlesex. - All the home matches of this county are played, by special arrangement, at "Lord's."

Northamptonshire. The ground is well situated to the north-east of the county town, Northampton, and consists of ten acres. The soil is principally sand, and the wickets, which are usually fast, are all improved by the use of marl.

The ground has the reputation of drying very quickly, and soon recovers from the effects of the wet. At one corner of the ground is an imposinglooking hotel, under the control of the club, and on the opposite side is the main pavilion, which is confined to the use of the players and male members of the club only. There is also a ladies' pavilion, a west stand, and a very large stand used in connection with football, as well as cricket.

Further extensions of this are contemplated. a Nottinghamshire. The Trent Bridge Ground, Nottingham, is the home of the county's cricket.

It is nine acres in size, six acres forming the match portion, and being covered with excellent turf. The new pavilion, built in 1886, holds some 3,000 spectators, and the ground is surrounded with terraces, provided with seats and roofed.

Oxford University. -For many years the O.U.C.C. used ground known as "The Magdalen Ground," and belonging to that college; the present ground was acquired in 1880. The total size of "The Parks " is about ten acres, of the match enclosure about five and a half acres; the turf is sound and good under favourable conditions, but is apt to be tricky if the weather is unpropitious. As "The Parks" are public property, no admission fee can be charged, and consequently, when gate-money is required, matches are played elsewhere on the Christ Church Ground, in the Iffley Road. The pavilion accommodates about 600 persons. a Somerset possesses an excellent county ground at Taunton, with fine sward of turf, which dries after rain more quickly than any ground in England. It is six and a half acres in size, accommodates 6,000 spectators in "the ring," and 1,000 more in pavilion, grand stand, and ladies' enclosure. About one-half of the home fixtures are now played at Bath, where better patronage is secured.

Surrey. In "The Oval," Surrey possesses a ground which in fame stands second only to "Lord's," in excellence second to none, the turf being remarkably fine and good, and recovering very rapidly. The ground belongs to the Duchy of Cornwall, and is situated in Kennington. [See ANTE.] Sussex. The County Ground is at Hove, Brighton, and is famous as being one of the CRICKET] easiest grounds for batsmen. The turf is close and smooth; the ground is level and recovers with marvellous rapidity after rain. The total size is ten acres, six of which form the portion devoted to matches, but so fast is the turf that the six acres seem to shrink into four when the ground is hard. It is the paradise of batsmen and the terror of bowlers. Matches are also played on the good grounds at Eastbourne and Hastings, but the arrangements for the public are necessarily of a temporary character. A fixture is also allotted to Priory Park (Chichester) and Horsham. The "Hastings Week," held in September, has been dropped from lack of support and bad weather.

Warwickshire. - The County Ground is in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham. The size of the ground is twelve acres, of the match enclosure five and a half. There is a capital pavilion, with seats for 2,000 members, and for the general public banked accommodation is provided round the ring. The grand stand holds about 600 perford, Dewsbury, Harrogate, Hull, and Huddersfield. The "Scarborough Week," held in September, is a recognised institution, but is not nowadays utilised for inter-county cricket. The Headingley ground at Leeds provides about eight acres of playing surface, with pavilion and stand accommodation for 5,000 people, while fully 30,000 can witness the game in comfort and the turf is of the best quality. The playing area at Bradford is about six acres, the whole ground covering ten. The turf is second to none, the ground is most accessible, and about 30,000 people can watch the game. The pavilion is spacious and contains all necessary conveniences.

Colonial Cricket. - Australian Cricket.

Between 1862 and 1878 four English elevens visited Australia, but whereas the first three sides only played against odds, with fifteen, eighteen, or twentythe team of two to men oppose, R 2000 5183 8 8 8 ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA AT MANCHESTER, 1909. sons. The turf is close and thick, and the ground admirably level, but, as the ball does not seem to travel very fast, the ground does not lend itself to rapid scoring. Home games are also allocated to Coventry and Leamington. Worcestershire. - The County Ground is situated at Worcester, overlooking the Severn and the Cathedral, and is one of the prettiest in England. In extent it is, roughly, 84 yards long by 81 yards wide. In dry weather the wickets are extremely fast. The subsoil is clay, but the ground has been marled, and dries very quickly.

In spite of the fact that it is not infrequently flooded in winter, it is one of the easiest county grounds to get runs on. Several home fixtures are given to Stourbridge, Bournville received a fixture for 1910, and Dudley is to be favoured in future.

Yorkshire. The Bramall Lane enclosure at Sheffield is eleven and three-quarter acres in size, the match enclosure taking up eight of these. The grand stand can seat 3,500 persons, and 25,000 can witness the cricket without inconvenience. Unfortunately the turf has not been always in the best condition, but special attention has been paid to it recently. One drawback to the ground is the bad light which prevails, when the wind blows from certain quarters, as found when the first and possibly only Test match was played there in 1902.

County matches are divided with Leeds, Brad- 1876-77 played three matches on even terms, a win, a draw, and a loss being the result. This fact first opened the eyes of English cricketers to the possibility of international matches, though even in 1878, the occasion of the first visit of Australian cricketers to these shores, no match was arranged between the visitors and the full strength of the Mother-Country; yet the sensational defeat of a fine M.C.C. team by the visitors in a May afternoon gave some clue to their powers. It was in 1880 that the first England versus Australia match was played, the visitors being beaten by five wickets, and since that time the contest has been a regular fixture. In 1884 the number of "test-matches" was raised to three, in 1899 to five. It is not surprising that England should have had considerably the "best of the deal," the results being up to 1909, England sixteen, Australia eight, fifteen having been drawn. In Australia, however, the balance of success lies with the Colonials, but few, if any, of the visiting sides can be said to have been absolutely representative of English cricket, while, from the methods in which such visits are arranged, the Australians have probably a better chance of getting a nearly representative side to visit England than England to visit Australia. In all, thirteen Australian elevens have come over to England latterly at, as a rule, intervals of three years, to the great advantage of both countries and of cricket in general. [CRICKET feature of Australian cricket is the fact that from her limited number of players she has been able, from time to time, to put an eleven into the field fully capable of holding its own in home and home matches with representative teams of England; and such is her position at the present time. In spite of this, it seems very doubtful whether her second eleven would make anything like such favourable comparison with the second eleven of England. But she is a Mr. H. Carter.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM, 1909.

Mr. J. A.

O'Connor.

Mr. W. J.

Whitty.

Mr. P. A.

McAlister.

Mr. S. E.

Gregory.

Mr. V. Trumper. Mr. A. J. Hopkins.

Mr. C. G. Macartney.

To compare the cricket of the two countries would present no easy task, but it may be asserted generally that English batsmen, especially on slow and difficult wickets, are superior to the Australian, that Australian bowling is slightly better and Australian fielding and throwing distinctly better than the English, the last two items especially emphasising the fine qualities of the English batsmen. Each country has undoubtedly learned something from the other, whilst a great feature of the Commonwealth players is their grit and determination in playing an uphill game. a Cricket, as played in Australia, differs in very marked degree from the game as played in England, and from various causes. Possibly the most remarkable Mr. F. Laver. Mr. R. Hartigan.

Mr. M. A. Mr. W. Bardsley. Mr. W. Carkeek.

Noble.

Mr. A. Cotter.

Mr. W. W.

Armstrong.

Mr. V. Ransford. certainly stronger in this respect than she was; for, particularly in the last few years, there has been a strong advance made in every colony, as is shown by the great increase of clubs and players, as well as by a remarkable improvement in the play, both " up-country and in the big towns.

It is true, however, that about twenty years ago there was a strange decline in the interest taken in the game. The old enthusiasm seemed to be wanting, and even the inter-colonial matches failed to arouse the keenness formerly associated with them. Possibly the non-success of the teams sent home just at that time had served to damp men's interest; possibly the slow style of play then coming into vogue wearied the public taste. Then, somewhat indirectly, the visit of Lord Sheffield's team CRICKET in 1892 revived the cricket interest that had so long been latent, and the interest has been maintained and even increased ever since. It is only natural that, in view of their paucity of numbers the Australian teams should not have always maintained their highest standard, but however the strength may have varied, there has never been anydefeat. Again, wherever an open space can be found, a ground can be made fit to play on in a very short time; for a good wicket which is mainly important is a great compensation for rough out-fielding. Some grounds, such as the ground at Broken Hill, cannot boast a single blade of grass, but the brown undulating soil is rolled tolerably smooth, and a good cement wicket adorns the middle. In almost every up-country town a ground of this sort, with perhaps rough grass to field on, is to be found. The Adelaide Oval provides perfect wickets, but for fielding is open to improvement. The Melbourne and Sydney Clubs possess as fine turf grounds as exist anywhere, smooth as a lawn all over, and circular in shape.

A white wooden paling or railing, three or four feet high, runs round them, and the crowd is never allowed to invade the sacred precinct. The wickets on these grounds are indeed the batsman's paradise-in fine weather. A peculiar black soil is used where the wickets are laid, which becomes as hard as adamant-so hard that even the [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

MR. V. TRUMPER. thing commonplace about Australian cricket.

Individuals among her players have always stood out prominently in one branch of the game or another, and there are Australian names which, with one great exception, take no second place even among the greatest.

How does Australia train her men?

There are no cricket nurseries such as we have in our public schools, where colts can take advantage of the advice of experienced cricketers, but the facilities for practice are numerous. Most of the cricket in Australia is played upon cement laid upon a brick foundation, with matting stretched over the whole, proper turf being a great rarity.

Thus, in the rough land which lies outside the Sydney cricket-ground, there are several cement wickets laid down by the local authorities, where anyone may practise, and this system has been adopted in other quarters to encourage men to learn to play.

These cement and matting wickets, though apt to be fiery, are always true and fast, and the bowler can generally get a little work on the ball; also, when they begin to wear out, they can be repaired at a trifling cost; while, further, as they are quite independent of the weather, neither side can plead a "sticky wicket" as the cause of F. A. TARRANT. making of a block-hole is often out of the question-and as true as a billiard table.

There are, of course, other turf grounds to be found; but the majority of cricketers have to learn to play on matting and receive their polishing at one of the great cricket centres. For the most part they learn to play by the light of nature, with the advantage of a very long summer and a possibility of practising nearly all the year round. To the former is probably due a certain absence of that finished style which we are accustomed to associate with cricketers who have been studiously coached in [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

MR. A. COTTER. their youth-not that their skill in any way suffers thereby, but rather is the individuality disposed to be more strongly marked.

One great advantage that the Australians possess is that with their lighter programme they are able to play their matches to a finish. It is the custom, too, at the Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide grounds to cover the wicket at night-time with a tarpaulin, so that neither heavy dews nor rain by night may unfairly handicap the batting side during the first hour's play in the morning.

Every precaution then is taken that a match may be fought out on a hard wicket. And we may see in this the reason why the Australians enjoy a reputation for appearing at their worst on the slow, sticky wickets that so frequently occur in England. Still, on the whole, it is a distinct advantage for the youth of Australia that they should receive the beginning of their cricket education on true and fast wickets; it is in this that they have the best chance of learning to play with a free, upright style and a straight bat, and to overcome the very natural fear of fast bowling. But this is not an unmixed blessing, as, from want of proper practice on wet and difficult wickets, an Australian side is especially liable to collapse if a match has to be played under these conditions. On the other hand, to [CRICKET these hard wickets is due that remarkable accuracy of length which the greatest Australian bowlers have shown us. By bowling constantly on them, her bowlers learnt what the English bowlers learnt from them-that great accuracy of pitch and subtle variations of pace are the deadliest weapons that a bowler can command. It taught them to exercise greater cunning and to acquire the art of making the ball spin and break even on perfect wickets, and this has always been a more prominent feature among Australian than among English bowlers.

There is at the present time, unfortunately, a strongly marked tendency among colonial cricketers of all classes to adopt a slow, “pottering" style of play. No doubt this development has arisen from the fact that, as all matches are played out to a finish, and no economy of time is necessary, the batsman is apt to overvalue the cricket adage, "If you only stay at the wickets, the runs are sure to come." It is an excellent thing for every team to possess one or two players who can be relied upon never to take a liberty; no less is it ruinous to the interests of the team that most of the members should adopt these tactics, which for the time being almost ruined one English county team, and if encouraged further may imperil Australia's reputation for producing [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

MR. CLEM HILL. 66 brilliant cricketers, and sadly spoil her winning brackets" in this country.

There is another external influence acting on the game in Australia which has never failed to make itself felt by the English teams when visiting the country and that CRICKET] is the light. Visiting teams have invariably had to pay the penalty, particularly in the earlier matches of the tour, for being unable to judge the ball accurately in its flight through the air; and it is no uncommon thing for a deep field, expecting to bring off his catch, to find the ball pitch ten yards over his head, to the huge delight [Photo. by G. W. Beldam.

MR. M. A. NOBLE. of the crowd. The tropical heat of midsummer also proves a great trial to Englishmen, and so far affects the Australians themselves that the necessity of an interval for tea was recognised, and has been, without quite so much justification, introduced into English cricket. On the other hand, when the Australians visit England, they in their turn suffer from the cold winds of our early summer, and their play must be affected thereby. manner, but a difficulty arises therefrom in that the players have to bind themselves from week end to week end, which involves some inconvenience; and many cricketers, being unable to pledge themselves so far in advance, are debarred from this class of cricket in consequence. Time is more precious, and there are fewer idle men in Australia than in England, so that working days cannot be set aside for cricket, except in the case of the most important matches.

Two more points alone require notice.

The first is the almost universal fairness of Australian bowlers; their delivery-possibly one or two exceptions might be madehas been most strictly orthodox. Secondly, the question of umpires deserves a word.

In the early days of Australian cricket, when professionals did not exist, and amateurs, with little more experience than a general knowledge of the rules, were pressed into the service, the umpiring was undoubtedly very unsatisfactory, both to the cricketers and the spectators; and as, in inter-colonial matches, each colony provided its umpire, and our system of selecting neutrals had not been adopted, disputes, cessations of play, and even miniature riots took place in consequence, while Australian elevens got rather a bad name for cavilling at the umpires' decisions. Happily this is now a thing of the past. English teams have been unanimous in their praise of the fairness, impartiality, and ability of the Australian umpires; and with this brief allusion to what has been, the question may be relegated to its grave for ever. The disputes were doubtless due largely to the amount of public betting that took place on the grounds.

Another fact that may be noticed by way of comparison is that while one or two members of an English eleven will invariably be found to jerk the ball back to the wickets, all the Australians can throw, and for the most part with greater force and accuracy than our own players. Doubtless our climatic conditions are accountable for the number of strained arms that exist, but, generally speaking, the Australians have the reputation for being better in the field than we are; and, as it is true that they learn the finer arts of batting from watching English cricketers, no less is it true that the Australians first opened our eyes to the Sydney value of smart fielding and hard accurate returns.

The minor cricket of Australia has a peculiarity of its own. Its matches, except when arranged to last for one or two days only, are seldom played out on consecutive days, but are carried on from Saturday to Saturday till they are lost or won. Fortunately the long summer allows of these club fixtures being easily finished in this F. G. J. FORD.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA.

SUMMARY OF 'TEST MATCH RESULTS.

Where Played.

Melbourne Oval..

Manchester Lord's Adelaide Nottingham Leeds Birmingham Sheffield ...... ...

Date of First Match.

Won by Won by England. Australia.

Drn. Ttl. 3 o 5 o I I 401 1877 8 IO 2 20 1880 7 I 12 1882 9 II 20 1884 3 2 4 9 1884 4 3 IO 1884 2 o 7 1899 I I 2 1899 o ... 1902 I 2 I 2 3 1902 o o I In Australia...

In England....

Totals..

TEST GAMES IN ENGLAND.

England.

Australia.

Drawn.

Total. o O 1884 I o 2 3 1886 3 o o 3 1888 2 I o 3 1890 2 o o 2* ... 1893 I .. o 2 ... 3 1896 2 I o 3 1899 ...

I .. 4 5 1902 I ... 2 2 5 1905 2 o 3 5 1909 I 2 2 5 Totals...... 16 8 15 39 "CENTURIES" IN TEST GAMES.

For Australia For England 41 43 ENGLISH TOURS IN AUSTRALIA.

RESULTS OF MATCHES.

All Matches.

XI a side games.

Wn. Dn. Lt. Wn. Dn. Lt.

I I 2 O 3 3 2 2 4 0 3 6 O 2 Year.

Team. 1861-2 H. H. Stephenson ... 1863-4 G. Parr 64 IO 6 o ... 1873-4 W. G. Grace IO 2 3 4 2 O 3 1876-7 Jas. Lillywhite II 84 I 1878-9 Lord Harris ... 1881-2 Alfred Shaw 1882-3 Hon. Ivo Bligh ... 1884-5 Alfred Shaw .. 5 43 II II 3 96.3 16 15 2 1886-7 Alfred Shaw 12 15 2 6 2 2 1887-8 G. F. Vernon II 14 I 6 I I 1887-8 Shaw and Shrewsbury (C. A. Smith) 14 9 2 5 o 2 1891-2 Lord Sheffield (W. G.

Grace) 12 13 2 1894-5 A. E. Stoddart...... 9 II 4 4 6 0 2 8 1897-8 A. E. Stoddart...... 6 II 5 5 1901-2 A. C. MacLaren 886 50 1903-4 M.C.C. (P.F.Warner) 10 8 2 93 2 1907-8 M.C.C. (A. O. Jones) 7 8 4 7 7 4 774 After the New Zealand tour of Lord Hawke's team in 1902-3 three XI a side games were played in Australia, one being drawn and two lost. 0 o 4 43.5 6 [CRICKET under Major Wharton in 1888-9 was the pioneer, found their task comparatively easy, but the improvement was steady, and following on the tour in England in 1904, during which a fairly powerful "Eleven of England" suffered defeat at Lord's by 189 runs, a series of Test games was arranged during the visit of the M.C.C. team under P. F. Warner for the South African season of 1905-6. The power of the "googly" was demonstrated to the full, and our only victory was in the fourth of the five games.

As a result of the glowing accounts given by the tourists, three Test matches on a similar basis to those arranged with the Australians were contested when the Colonials visited us in 1907, and after a curious game at Lord's, in which rain came to the aid of the tourists after a praiseworthy uphill struggle on their part, the Mother-Country won a rather unsatisfactory game at Leeds-the only one of the three in which a definite result was arrived at, for the game at the Oval could not be completed. In the more recent tour of a second M.C.C. team under Mr. H. D. G.

Leveson-Gower, our efforts were unsuccessful, though in this case the third and fifth fixtures of the series ended in favour of the visitors. Doubts were expressed, however, as to whether the Colonials were, apart from the wonderful all-round form of G. A.

Faulkner, quite so powerful as on the occasion of the previous trip. Possibly, too, the "googly "-specially dealt with in another chapter-has lost some of its terror.

RESULTS OF ENGLAND v. SOUTH AFRICA IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AUSTRALIAN TOURS IN ENGLAND.

Won by Eng.

Won by S.A.

Total. e 1888-9 2 o 2 ......

RESULTS OF MATCHES. 1891-2 I O I ... 1895 6 3 0 .....

Year. 3 Captain.

Wn. Dn. Lt. Ttl. 1898-9 2 o 2 XI a side ... 1878 D. W. Gregory (all matches 9 4 4 17 1905-6 I 4 ..... 5 18 12 7 37 1909-10 2 1880 W. L. Murdoch { XI a side 3 5 5 4 2 II all matches 21 I2 4 37 Total 1882 W. L. Murdoch I I 7 18 23 II 4 38 1884 W. L. Murdoch 18 7 7 32 1886+ H. J. H. Scott IN ENGLAND. 9 22 8 39 1888 P. S. McDonnell 19 7 14 40 1890 W. L. Murdoch 13 9 16 38 Won by Eng.

Won by S.A.

Drawn. 1893+ J. McC. Blackham. 18 1896 G. H. S. Trott 1899 J. Darling 1902 J. Darling 8 IO 36 19....9 6 34 16...16 3 35 2314 1907 I o ...... 2 Total. 3 ENGLISH TOURS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

RESULTS OF MATCHES. 1905† J. Darling Wn. Dn. Lt. Ttl. 1909 M. A. Noble 13 22 2 39 16...19 3 38 4 South African Cricket. If the advance made by Australia has been remarkable, that effected by South Africa is still more so.

The earlier English teams, of which that * Match at Manchester abandoned through rain. † Including one game against odds.

Year.

Team. 39 1889-9 Major Wharton's. 1891-2 W. W. Read's. 1895-6 Lord Hawke's Lord Hawke's. ..

M.C.C. (P. F. Warner's) M.C.C. (H. D. G. Leveson- Gower's)...

O 20 13 2 4 19 13 7 77 2 16 本 IO 4 4 18 * Exclusive of two scratch games (lost).

CRICKET] SOUTH AFRICAN TOURS IN ENGLAND (ALL MATCHES.) Year.

Team. 1894 H. H. Casten's 1901 M. Bisset's 1904 F. Mitchell's 1907 P. W. Sherwell's..

Records.

Wn. Dn. Lt. Ttl. 13 75 24 3* 9 25† 13 10 * 3 26 21 6 4 31 (Corrected to June, 1910.) Highest total for one innings in a first-class match- 918 by New South Wales v. South Australia, at Sydney, in January, 1901. Five players exceeded the hundred, and there were five three-figure partnerships.

Highest total for one innings in a first-class match in England- 887 by Yorkshire v. Warwickshire, at Birmingham, in May, 1896. In this match four men scored over 100 runs (one of them over 200).

Highest individual score in a first-class match- 424, by A. C. MacLaren for Lancashire v.

Somerset, at Taunton, in July, 1896.

Highest aggregate in a first-class match- 1,911, for 34 wickets, made at Sydney in January, 1909, in a match between New South Wales and Victoria. This game lasted into the sixth day, and seven men scored three figures.

Highest aggregate in a three-days' match in England- 1,492, for 33 wickets, made in July, 1904, in a match between Worcestershire and Oxford University, at Worcester. -- Highest individual scores (any match) — 628 (not out), by A. E. J. Collins, in a housematch at Clifton College in June, 1899, extending over five afternoons. 566, by C. J. Eady, for Break-o'-Day v. Wellington, at Hobart, Tasmania, in March and April, 1902, extending over four afternoons. 485, by A. E. Stoddart (July, 1886) for the Hampstead Club v. The Stoics.

Highest total ever made in a single innings- 1,094, by Melbourne University v. Essendon, at Melbourne, March, 1898.

The largest number of runs produced by the partnership of two men in a first-class match 1S- 554, made by Brown (J. T.) and Tunnicliffe (J.) for the first wicket of Yorkshire v.

Derbyshire, at Chesterfield, in August, 1898.

The largest number of runs produced by the partnership of two men in any match is- 623, made by Captain Oates and Private Fitzgerald, for Ist Royal Munster Fusiliers v. Army Service Corps, at the Curragh, June, 1895.

The longest stand made, in first-class cricket, for the last wicket is- 235, made by Woolley (F. E.) and Fielder for Kent v. Worcestershire, at Stourbridge, in July, 1909.

Smallest totals for one innings in a first-class match- 12, by Oxford University (one man absent) v.

M.C.C. and Ground, at Oxford, in May, 1877, and by Northamptonshire v. Gloucester, at Gloucester, in June, 1907. * Including one tie. † Exclusive of two holiday games. C. B. Fry has obtained two separate hundreds in a first-class match on four occasions, W. G.

Grace, Hayward (T.), R. E. Foster, G. L. Jessop, Tyldesley (J. T.), and Denton (once in South Africa) each on three occasions.

C. B. Fry in 1901 scored thirteen "centuries" in first-class cricket (eleven of these for Sussex), and Hayward in 1906 thirteen (all being for Surrey).

The largest number of hundreds made in firstclass matches by any cricketer is one hundred and twenty-six, credited to W. G. Grace, the first being 224, not out, made in 1866 for England v. Surrey.

The furthest distance, properly authenticated, to which the ball has been hit before reaching the ground is 175 yards, by the late Rev. W. Fellows, at practice on the Christ Church ground, Oxford, in 1856.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA (AND SEE ante).

Highest totals by England-577, at Sydney (1903-4) and 576, at the Oval (1899).

Highest totals by Australians-586, at Sydney (1894-5), and 551, at the Oval (1884).

Highest aggregate-1,541 for 35 wickets, at Sydney (1903-4).

Lowest totals by England-45, at Sydney (1886- 7), and 53, at Lord's (1888).

Lowest totals by Australia-36, at Birmingham (1902), and 42 at Sydney (1887-8).

Highest individual innings for England-287, by R. E. Foster, at Sydney (1903-4), and 170 by W. G. Grace, at the Oval (1886).

Highest individual innings for Australia-211, by W. L. Murdoch, at the Oval (1884), and 201, by S. E. Gregory, at Sydney (1894-5).

W. Bardsley scored 136 and 130 for Australia v. England, at the Oval (August, 1909).

Highest first wicket partnership for England- 185, by the Hon. F. S. Jackson and Hayward, at the Oval, August, 1899.

Highest first wicket partnership for Australia- 180, by S. E. Gregory and W. Bardsley, at the Oval, August, 1909.

AUSTRALIAN TOURS IN ENGLAND (AND SEE ante).

Highest total against an Australian team-576, by England, at the Oval, August, 1899.

Highest total by an Australian team-843, ข.

Past and Present of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, at Portsmouth, July, 1893. Lowest total against an Australian team-17, by Gloucestershire, at Cheltenham, August, 1896.

Lowest total by an Australian team-18, v.

M.C.C. and Ground, at Lord's, June, 1896.

Highest individual score by an Australian in England-303 (not out), by W. W. Armstrong, v.

Somerset, at Bath, July, 1905.

Highest individual score against an Australian team in England-228, by Gunn (W.), for the Players, at Lord's, June, 1890.

OXFORD V. CAMBRIDGE (1829-1909).

Oxford 31, Cambridge 36, drawn 8. Total: 75 matches.

Highest individual scores-172 (not out), by J. F. Marsh, for Cambridge, in 1904, and 171, by R. E. Foster, for Oxford, in 1900.

Highest totals for one innings-503, by Oxford, in 1900, and 392, by Cambridge, in 1900.

ETON V. HARROW (1805-1909).

Eton 31, Harrow 35, drawn 18. Total: 84 matches.

Highest individual scores-183, by D. C. Boles, for Eton, in 1904; 152, by Sir Emilius Bayley, for Eton, in 1841; and 142, by T. G. O. Cole, for Harrow, in 1897.

ENGLISH FIRST CLASS CRICKET.

THE LEADING BATSMEN SINCE 1892.

Times not Year.

Batsman.