ENGLISH CRICKET.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 293, 18 October 1879, Page 2

ENGLISH CRICKET.

(From the Home News.) At Lord's the other day a handsome clock and chimney ornaments, with j £I4OO in money, was presented to Mr W. yp G. Grace. The presentation originated" in Gloucestershire, which is naturally proud of its pre-eminence as a cricketing county, due to the Grace family, and especially to Mr W. G. Grace. Lord Fitzhardinge, who was chief speechmaker, alluded to the fact that the Prince of • Wales was one of the donors. He said that the original idea had been to pur-' chase a practice for Mr Grace, but he had talked the matter over with the Duke of Beaufort, and they thought that Mr Grace & was old enough and strong enough to m choose a practice for himself, He could ™ only say on the part of the people of Gloucestershire that they wished him as A much success in his profession as he had gained in the cricket field. Mr Grace expressed his gratitude in a brief reply, and Lord Charles Russell, as one of the oldest members of the Ma'rylebone Club, added a few words. He was an old cricketer, and the greatest enjoyment he had had in the cricket field for many years past was in 'seeing Mr Grace play. He looked upon cricket as the sport of tho people, from the Prince to the peasant, and he was delighted to see that it was increasing in popularity year by year, and that in some respects also it was being better played. He had certainly seen better bowlers than Mr Grace, but he could say, with a clear conscience that he had never seen a better field, and he had never seen any one to approach him as a batter. More than agility was wanted in playing cricket. The game must be played with head and heart, and in that respect Mr Grace was pre-eminent. Looking at Mr Grace's playing, he was never able to tell whether that gentleman was playing a losing or a winning game. He had never seen the slightestjlukewarmness or inertness in him in the field. His heart and soul were in the game. The Marylebono Cricket Club held its ground for the practice and promotion of good sound cricket, and it was for that Ireasonj thej had such great delight in part in this testimonial to Mr Grace, who was in every respect of the word a thorough cricketer. The clock bears the following inscription:-" Presented to W. G. Grace on July 22, 1879, on the occasion of the match Over Thirty v. Under Thirty, played in his honor at Lord's."

A large company of spectators were present on July 28, at the Bramall-Lane ground, Sheffield, to witness the match ' between Yorkshire and Gloucestershire—a proof that the meeting of the two counties excites as much interest as ever, Yorkshire unfortunately lost the valuable services of Lockwood and Hill, who were too unwell to play. The wicket was in eapital order, and Gloucestershire having won the toss, naturally elected to go in first, So bad a start was made that five of the very best wickets went down for 57 runs. A small Bcore seemed inevitable, but onMrGribble joining Mr Gilbert, an obstinate resistance was offered to (the bowling, and despite several changes, the score advanced to 136 before Mr Gribble was caught at cover-point for aßery useful 28. On Mr Bush comins!fthe bowling was hit all over the field, and when at length Mr Gilbert was got rid of, the score had reached 241. Mr Gilbert's excellent, though rather fortunate innings included six 4's six 3's, and twelve 2's. Mr Bush made 57. Yorkshire in their first innings scored 128, and therefore had to follow on. At their second try they ran up a total of 185, Ullyett playing a splendid innings of 98. This left Gloucestershire only 71 runs Ho getjto win. At 34 two wickets were down. After luncheon, however, Bate and Peate, who were then put on, bowled splendidly, and aided by some capital fielding, Yorkshire soon disposed of the remaining wickets, Mr W. G, Grace was dismissed without I scoring, and after his departure only ,Mr ' G. F. Grace could do anything. At length he too was disposed of, and finally at five minutes past four Yorkshire won. one of the most remarkable matches of the season by seven runs. Bates bowled 16 overs 6 maidens for 12 runs and 4 wickets and Peate 21 overs 7 maidens for 40 run» and 6 wicketi.