CRICKET.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 108, 18 August 1892, Page 3

CRICKET.

A curious incident occurred at Manchester on the occasion of the recent match between Lancashire and Kent, when W. H Patterson, of the latter team, was within one run of the coveted “ century.” The ball had been played by the old Oxonian, and on being returned he went for an overthrow, which George Hearne promptly discovering, the required run was made, and the crowd applauded the amateur for securing his hundred. To the surprise of everyone, however, the batsmen were seen to resume their original positions, and it transpired that the umpire had somewhat prematurely called “ over,” and that the run could therefore not betaken. Patterson, however, soon topped the century by fourteen runs.

A record is reported in the American papers. The occasion was a match between the Belmont and Baltimore Clubs on foi’Der’s ground at After getting rid of Baltilll, Belmont occupied the wickets for the rest of the the result of a big score of 422 fouthe loss of only four batsmen. The sensation of the afternoon was the hitting of A. M. Wood, who ultimately carried out his bat after scoring 201 of the last 284 runs. Wood’s score is the highest individual innings yet played in the United States. Moreover, it has only been twice beaten in America, by R. Leisk’s 202 for Hamilton v. Montreal, in 1885, and A. Browning’s 204 for Montreal against Ottawa in 1880. To give an idea of the full extent of the achievement, it may be added that Wood was only in two hours, and that his last 50 runs were made in nineteen minutes. Wood is an Englishman, who migrated to America some years ago. He played twice for Derbyshire in 1879. The return of Lord Sheffield to his home at Sheffield Park in the beginning of June was made the occasion of a warm welcome to his Lordship by his tenants, neighbours, and representatives of numerous cricket clubs for a considerable distance round. He was the recipient of two addresses—one from his tenants and the other from the residents of the parish of Fletching and representatives of about twenty cricket clubs, congratulating him on his safe return, the success attending his tour, and also referring with much pleasure to the generous reception accorded him and his team in Australia. In his reply Lord Sheffield thus alluded to his late tour: —“ It is no exaggeration to say that the reception which was given to myself and to the team, for its splendour, for its extent, for its variety, for its continuity—for it began when we landed in Adelaide in November, and only ended when the team embarked on the ‘ Vai-

etta’—was absolutely without parallel, even in the annals of cricket in Australia, and I may say it was without parallel in the history of cricket in England. I shall hope that when the Australians come to England next year, as they are going to do, when they visit this part, as they intend to do, "you, as Englishmen and Sussex men, will assemble in your thousands upon this ground, and welcome them with such a ringing welcome as English throats can give, to .show them that you, as Englishmen, have fully recognised and appreciated the magnificence of the reception they gave your fellow-countrymen last winter in far-away Australia. (Loud applause).” A private letter has been received in Wellington from H. M. Moorhouse, the well-known cricketer and footballer, who left the Empire City for England some months ago. He writes that at present he has no intention of returning to New Zealand, as he has succeeded in obtaining a lucrative position as traveller for a large flourmill in Surrey, and he is very well satisfied with his prospects. His business takes him over a greater part of England, and he frequently manages to play cricket when away from home. In six matches he has made 238 runs, 68 being scored in one innings.