CRICKET

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 106, 31 October 1914, Page 10

CRICKET

THE PLAY REVIEWED (By "Marylebone.") The cricket season is now fairly under way, and the opening matches have now concluded. On both Saturdays the wether has been dull, and "whites" have looked rather out of place. More especially was this the case last Saturday, when a strong northerly, bearing with it a decided "sting," swept across Basin Reserve. Then, again, the light, although good in the earlier part of the afternoon, has failed noticeably on both occasions before 6 o'clock, and has told against the batsmen. The lack of rain notwithstanding, the wickets at the Basin are in excellent order', although a dash of moisture would not come amiss. A KEEN STRUGGLE. The struggle between East and North created not a little excitement last Saturday. At the end of the first day's play East were minus one of the total made by North, and they had three wickets in hand. The opening batsmen, when the game was resumed, were Wetherall and France, and between them they swelled the total of their side by 29 runs. France, a third-class player last year, was playing in his first senior game, and the style with which he handled his bat denotes that he has possibilities, and more will be heard of him before the season closes. Weatherall's display, too, was a meritorious one, and he will doubtless still further improve. After France's dismissal the end of East's innings came suddenly, for almost immediately Weatherall was dismissed, and Mabin, the last man, sent up a catch which was accepted by Hiddlestone. When .North wenfc in they had no time to let the grass grow under their feet if they were to win, and their batsmen hit out freely, the score in tho second innings being 119 — the compilation of which took only an hour and ahalf. Southail distinguished himself by getting 6 runs by a hit to square- leg .off the second ball sent, along to him, and the bowlers were unable to find hia wickets. With an hour and a-half to go East set out- on their second venture. Their two first batsmen, Donovan and Dooley, only hit up 8 runs in their partnership, and when Gibbes and Weatherall followed quickly on their heels to the pavilion it looked as though North had a chance after all. But Midlane stepped into the breach just at the right moment, and it was due to the fine exhibition of this seasoned player that East secured their, victory. The trouble was that he was 'not supported by the batsmen at tho other end until Henderson, a young player, joined him and rendered valuable assistance in putting on the requisite runs. The innings of both of them was unfinished when stumps were drawn after East had secured a threeI point win, Midlane making 42 and Hen- ! derson 24. INDIFFERENT BOWLING. University defeated Central on the first innings, and evidently found the latter's bowling to their liking. In their first innings they made 159, and in their second innings they lost five wickets for 173, as against 118 recorded by Central in their first innings. So persistently did the College total creep up in their second innings nearly every man in the Central team took a hand at the bowling, but the analysis revealed only poor averages with the bail. Dickson and Broad, the top-scorers for University, hit the ball about in pleasing style, and the former's innings was unfinished. Burton, who was Central's mainstay, shaped excellently, but his display was cut short through his being caught at the wickets. WELL-KNOWN CRICKETER. MARRIED." A. Birch, of the University team, was last week married to a sister of Mr. G. Howe, the Wellington representative, who is at present in Samoa, and who is sadly missed by University as a, wicketkeeper. FLOCKING TO THE COLOURS. The manner in which cricketers in England responded to the call, as described by " Ranger " in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic Newa of 12th September last, is an inspiring message to the whole Empire of sportsmen : — " Owing to the war, the cricket season of 1914 ended abruptly last week. That cricketers would do their share when it came to the call we had never any doubt. Take, for example, the two most amateur elevens in the county championship' and the minor counties championship, those of Middlesex and Buckinghamshire. Of the former, ten more or less regular members of the eleven are serving or about to serve with the colours— viz., P. F. Warner, F T. Mann, S. H. Saville, W. P. Robertson, R. H. Twining, M. H. C. Doll, N. Haig, E. S. Littlejohn, Hon. R. Anson, andi Lee. Before the war was ten days old nine Bucks cricketers were serving or about to serve — viz., A. de Rothschild, S. G. "Fairbairn, T. Stacey, D. A. D. Sewell, P. W. Le Gros, E. A. Shaw. W. E. Hazelton, P. L. Frith, and T. R. Kent. Since then their only professional, Edwards, has enlisted; Wiltshire, Dorset, and Bucks were the first three counties to stop cricket owing to the war, and since then most of the players of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Devon, and not only the bachelors among the players of all the counties named have done their duty. " This is not all. Practically the whole Hampshire eleven have joined €he colours, the Derbyshire professionals are following suit, and when I was at the Oval on the day that C. 0. H. Sewell finished up his and the season there with a glorious innings, it was said that most of the Surrey Eleven were doffing white flannel for khaki. This is only as it should be. " Better still by far is the action of nearly all the leading Rugby clubs. As was to be expected, Blackheath act the ball rolling by cancelling their fixture list. All over the country clubs followed suit so ra.pidly that it is abundantly clear that, until the Allies have dictated peace 'terms in Berlin, there will be no Rugby football in the United Kingdom. Association professional 'football is on a slightly different footing, of course, and I feel sure that the thousands who will attend the professional encounters , will enjoy themselves in their own singular way. With regard to Rugby football, it was much tho same thing during the Soutii African war. Old Rugby players make the best fighters of all, and he will be made of unusual clay who, still in the twenties, and what is known a3 a Rugger man, bas not for some days now been clothed in khaki " AN ABRUPT TERMINATION. The curtain has been rung down on cricket (said the London Sportsman on sth September) with the close of August and the weather, still at its best, and there is some argument proceeding as to whether Surrey should or should not be hailed as champions. I think that they are not only top of the table as tilings stand, but would have remained there had they opposed Sussex and ]>irestershire as per programme, but the M.C.C. Committee are empowered by the counties to award the distinction at the end of each season. Hitherto the figures have proved a reliable index ; this time there is very little in it. But the M.C.C. are sure to judge fairly. They < might consider that the title should remain in abeyance, whilst I have hoard a joint holdership advocated. '