CRICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 2 (Supplement)

CRICKET.

First-class matches in England Avere started at Lord's on May 4th, Avhen the Maryleborie Club met and defeated Sussex by an innings and 58 runs. Scores:— M.C.C.. 21S (W. G. Grace 05, C. O. 11. Sewell 42, and A. E. Trott 41); Sussex, 61 and 90 (Bland 22 ancl Bean 21). J. T. Hearne and Trott divided the bowling honours for the Avinners, and Pa wis trundled best for the losers.

T. Hearne, after forty years' service with the M.C.C. and Ground, for twenty-aix of Avhich he held the position of head bOAvler, has been compelled to retire OAving to ill-health. The club has granted him a pension of £.'!0 in recognition of his services, and G. Hay has been appointed head bowler.

Some heavy scoring was Avitnessed in the match between St. John's College First Eleven and the Next Twenty-two, played at Cambridge on April 25th and 20th. The latter Avent in first and declared their innings closed Avith their score at 463 for the loss .of sixteen Avickets, F. 1). Cantley, a freshman, contributing 150 (retired), and 0. V. Payne 70. The Eleven made 2,10.

On April 26th and 27th University College, Oxford, made the large score of 484 for the loss of four Avickets 11. E. Foster 186) against Magdalen College, the latter responding Avith 175 and 111 for two Avickets.

A Northampton Nonconformist minister on being elected a vice-president of a local club has forwarded to the secretary the folloAving extraordinary epistle, Avhich has created considerable amusement in the toAvn and not a little disgust among some of the members (says a London paper): — 'My dear friend, —I received your letter this morning informing me that you had nominated me a Vice-President of your Cricket Club, and kindly requesting me to accept the position. 1 shall be delighted to do so upon tbe folloAvinig conditions — Ist. That the club be true to its name and include as members only such as attend Chapel. 2nd. That no matches be arranged or played unholy Avorldly clubs. By this I mean clubs that are not under the patronage of some Christian Church, or Avhere members drink, sAA^ear, or gamble. 3rd. That no game be prolonged on Saturdays until the members become so tired as to necessitate their resting longer on a Sunday, and thus preventing them attending the sendees of the sanctuary. If you are able to agree to those conditions I shall only be too glad to accept the position of VicePresident.'

George Ulyett, Avhose death Ava.s chronicled by cable this week, Avas one of the most prominent Yorkshire players. He represented the Players v. Gentlemen from 1876 onwards, and has played out of the United Kingdom oftener than almost any player in England. He first visited Australia in 1876 with Lilly-white's team, came

out again with Lord Harris' eleven in 1878, and Avas also a member of Shaw's team in 18S1-2. Whether as a batsman, bowler, or fieldsman, Ulyett has been Avorthy of a place in any eleven, and very few players have had so fine a record.