OLD-TIME CRICKET.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13432, 25 March 1907, Page 7

OLD-TIME CRICKET.

Mr George William Wilson, of Lanohester, who recently oelobrated his golden wedding, has been relating many interesting reminiscences of cricket as played in the early forties and fifties. He recollects "when the Oval was a market garden, .and the time when round-hand bowling was in its infancy. Old Lilywhite was the first to introduce it, and in those days, if a bowler's arm was above his shoulder, he was no-balled. No pads or gloves were used at this period, and the only person I saw on the field with pads on his knees was Alfred Mynn, of Kent, for the protection of his kneecaps. In the old days local games never started later than 10 a.m., and the grounds being very poor, drawn matches seldom occurred. T, wo innings were generally played out; a' little time between the innings was allowed for refreshments, which consisted' usually of bread and cheese and beer, and when the game was over wo mounted the oldfashioned four-wheeled coach, with the old' guard behind, playing on an old keyed bugle. These were the grand old days of cricket. In the years, 1851-2, I was stationed in Dublin. I played many a game in Phoenix Park against the garrison stationed there. The club had two professionals-engaged, of the name of Lawrence and Doyle, I think. At the end of the season, when I loft Ireland, in 1852, Lawrence went to Australia. Cricket was then being introduced to the. colonies, and Lawrence was, according to my recollection, the pioneer of crickqt in Australia. Mr Wilson, in spite of his 80 odd years, still travels considerable distances -on summer Saturday afternoons to witness good locai and county cricket matches, and his zeal for the game never wanes.