MIDLAND C.C. v LANCASTER PARK FIFTEEN.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7782, 9 February 1891, Page 3

MIDLAND C.C. v LANCASTER PARK FIFTEEN.

A good deal of interest was centered in this match. The Fifteen hold an unbeaten record this season, and speculation was rife as to whether the winners of last year's cap could lower their colors. The Midlaaders have improved on their form of a few weeks ago. and their opponents, though not so strong as the; were at the beginning of the season, placed a fairly good team in the field. The afternoon's play may* be characterised as tame, and only 169 runs were mads in the four hoars' play. Ashby again proved that his command over the ball with the under-hand slows entitles him to rank as a most useful man in any team, and on this occasion he was pat on first. As the game stands at present, it is impossible to predict the result, hat we incline to the opinion that a close game will eventuats.

F. H. Labatt was elected skipper of the Fifteen, and was successful with his Initial toss. Marshall and Ligbtband commenced the attack to the bowling of Ashby and Pearce. The former soon made way for Jones\ and the score was taken to 33 before Lightband was dismissed by Pearce for a nicely got 14. Cotterill made double figures in a very promising style, when he fell a victim to the "soft stuff." Jones was playing carefully and well, and when his skipper joined him the stand of the innings was made. Play became monotonous in the extreme and the score mounted very slowly till it reached 72 when Labatt retired, having contiibufced 15 by good cricket. Brooke followed the good example of his played a very pretty game before he was bowled by Garrard for 19. One run later Jones was sent back by the same bowler. The stonewaller had played a very sonnd innings for bis runs. Only one chance marred his otherwise eood performance, and his was by far the best; effort for his side. The next two wickets soon fell and then Pavitt, by discarding his usual style of reckless batting, made 18 by the best play that he has shown for some time. Eldridge also got into double figures and the innings closed for 152, the Park batting a man short. Ashby was again the- hero of his side and—in the latter part of the innings particularly—proved himself a veritable thorn. Garrard also trundled well, getting four wickets at a cost of 33 runs. Having twenty-five minutes to bat, the M.C.C. sent in Cohen and White, and they succeeded inplaving out time and putting up 17 runs. The following are the scores:— LANCASTER PARK FIFTEEN. First Innings. J. Marshall, c Garrard, b Ashby ... 6 E. Lightband, b Pearce 14 C. Jones, b Garrard ... ._ ... 33 H. Cotterill, b Ashby ... 11 F. H. Labatt, c Garrard, b Rayner ... 15 W. Brooke, b Garrard 19 E. Waller,b Garrard... ... ... 5 W. J. Blyth, et Wheatley, b Ashby ... 7 D. Pavibt, o Barnes, b Ashby 13 W. Lawrence, b Ashby ... ... 3 C. Eldridge, lbw, b Ashby 13 H. Hassal, b Ashby ... ... ... 1 E. Bates, not out ... ... ... 0 W. Wanklyn, b Garrard ... ... 2 Extras ... ... ... ... 5 Total 152 BOWXHfQ ANALYSIS. Balls. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Ashby ... 145 3 50 7 Pearce ... 90 8 22 1 Treweek ... 55 6 9 0 Barnes ... 70 6 14 0 Rayner ... 55 2 19 1 Garrard ... 86 4 33 4