CRICKET

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 100, 22 January 1926, Page 9

CRICKET

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM

COMMENTS OF ENGLISH PAPER

MCDONALD’S IRREPARABLE LOSS

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Copyright.

London, January 19.

The "All Sports Weekly” says it would be impossible to picture an Australian eleven minus the majority of the names now included. It regrets’that Gregory will not be supported by E. A. McDonald, the latter’s loss to Australia being almost irreparable. The fielding will be up to standard, with the exception of a slight weakness in slip-catch-ing. It is not always possible to.attain the perfect standard of Warwick Armstrong’s combination, but the writer believes the team will prove keen fieldsmen, and declares: “The Australians are terrible realists. Stars fall from grace as soon as they strike a run of bad luck, or a record of a few failures.”—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. MARRIAGE OF HENDRY Sydney, January 21. The cricketer H. L. Hendry has been married. Under the Board of Control’s ukase he will be unable to take his bride on the English tour.—Press Assn. DEATH OF DIGBY JEPHSON London, January 20. The death is announced of the former Surrey captain, D. L. A. Jephson, one of England’s greatest lob bowlers.—Reuter.

The death of Mr. D. L. A. Jephson, the ex-Surrey captain of 1900-1902, and a wellknown writer in connection with the sport, is a heavy blow to England’s national game. Tho Uejeased amateur’s most successful season was 1900, when he scored 1952 runs on good and bad wickets. The late Surreyite was one of a trio of “Lobsters” in English cricket of modern days. The late "Printer” Humphries /Sussex) and Simpson-Hayward (Worcestershire) .were his rivals in underhand bowling. At the Oval, in the Players’ match ci 1899, Jephson turned out six professors for 21 runs. On one occasion, at Hastings, in the match Home Counties v. Rest of England, G. J. Jessop, the smiter, missed one of tho lobster’s, and was out of his crease by yards. The umpire, Robert Thomas, however, replaced the bails, remarking as he did so: "Sixpenny crowd —can’t disappoint ’em —near thing—near thing—but not near enough for tho occasion.” One of the best batting performances Jephson had to liis credit was in tho Yorkshire match at the Oval in 1900, when be staved off the bowling for over an hour, and saved the game for his side. The late Mr. Jephson was a prolific writer for various publications in connection with the sport, and his many cricket poems were always worth reading. The following reveals D. L. A. Jephson’s intense love of tho game: HAD I BUT YOUTH.

Had I but youth, again imto the grass Close-trimmed, my buoyant feet would

pass: My hands once more should grip the splintered cane. And then upon tlie tented field regain Some hours of life.

Had I but youth, my boundless energy Should hurl the ball for days—the ■ misery Of limbs unstrung, for me should sullen die; And then on “Time" my strengthened soul should cry, “Brave hours of Life.”

Had I but youth, keen-sighted, I would love To track the flying ball, or fleet-foot scour The field all day to save the quicksnatched run. And feel, how good they were, when sets the sun, Those hours of Life! FIXTURES AND UMPIRES FOR SATURDAY. Senior. Wellington v. Hutt, Basin Reserve No. 2, Messrs. D. McKenzie and L. Carroll. Midland v. Y.M.C.A., Basin Reserve No. 1, Messrs. L. T. Lambert and W. Davidge. Petone v. University, Petone No. 1, Messrs. A. Francis and AV. B. Gough. Institute v. Thorndon, Kelburn Park No. 1, Messrs. AV. Toomath and AV. Eglin. Old Boys v. Kilbirnie, Kilbirnie No. I, Messrs. AV. R, Bock and C. Webb. Junior A. Old Boys x. Thorndon. Anderson Park No. 2, Messrs. J. R. Burley and W. Brooks. Midland v. Y.M.C.A., Kelburn Park No. 2, Messrs. AV. E. AVatts and A. Tidraan. Ilatailai r. Hutt. Hutt No. 1, Messrs. G. A. Jcnncfs and Smith. Junior B. Karori v. Midland, Kelburn Park No. 3, Messrs. 11. Hendry and S. Ferguson. Junior C. Y.M.C.A. v. AA’ellinglon A, Anderson Park No. 3, Messrs. AV. Ilatson and F. AV. Clayton. AVelliiigton v. Old Boys. AVakcfiold Park No. 2, Messrs. AV. J. Chatfield and J. D. May. AVELLI NG TON LEA G UE. The following are the fixtures and grounds for Saturday’s games:—Overhead Department v. St. Thomas. Kilbirnie Park No. 1; City Council Motors v. 1.8. C.. Kilbirnie Park No. 2: Carsheds v. Selwyn, AVakefield Park No. 8; AVolgasco v. G.1’.0., AA'akefield Park No. 9. The perfect ball for perfect tennis. Spaldings’ Plugless, Stitchless Ball. Correct resiliency, long life, perfect shape. Sold throughout New Zealand. .—Advt.