Forty Seasons of First-Class Cricket by Richard Gorton Barlow

1 00 - Introduction 3:25

40 Seasons of First Class Cricket, being the autobiography and reminiscences of Richard Gautham Barlow. The ex-professional Lancashire and international cricketer, during 40 consecutive seasons of first-class cricket, playing and umpiring, together with many curious and interesting anecdotes incidental to cricket, and valuable advice to young cricketers on all points of the game, with 44 full-page illustrations and over 300 autographs of county cricketers. John Haywood, Ltd. Deansgate and Ridgefield, Manchester. 20, 22, 24, 26, Lambs Conduit, London WC.

Dedication. This book is respectfully dedicated to my old and highly esteemed friend and colleague, A.N. Hornby, Esquire, for many years captain and president of the Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Introduction. In making my bow to the cricketing public as an author, I beg at once to cut away the ground from beneath the feet of the critics by making the candid a vowel that authorship, from a literary standpoint, is not my forte. Neither my occupation nor my antecedents have been favourable for undertaking the role of writer. I therefore ask to be judged as a cricketer only, on which grounds I am quite fearless as to the result. I have been in the habit of making a note of a point here and an opinion there during my professional career, which covers 40 consecutive seasons of first-class cricket. Then, my three cricket trips to the Antipodes, included in the above, along with the English teams, provided plenty of unoccupied time for observation and for making jottings.

In this way, a large quantity of material has been accumulated. Having shown my rough notes to several friends whose opinions carry considerable weight, and having been frequently requested during the past few years to give the many admirers of our national game the benefit of my experience, I have at last ventured into print, and hope to be treated with that indulgence which is always accorded to a first appearance, no matter whether the debut be made in the cradle or on the stage, in the pulpit or on the platform. My desire, amongst other things, has been to give good practical advice to the young and inexperienced aspirant for cricket fame, though my modesty forbids me being quite certain that even an experienced hand may not secure a wrinkle or two here and there if he will patiently scan what I have written herein.

R.G. Barlow, Glenmay, Rakes Parade, Blackpool.

End of introduction

2 01 - My Autobiography 18:48

My Autobiography I was born at Barrow Bridge, Bolton, Lancashire, on the 28th of May, 1850. I took instinctively to cricket almost as soon as I could walk, and in my early school days, I also persuaded other boys to do likewise, so as to ensure having someone to play with. It is scarcely necessary to add that I was on familiar terms with the schoolmaster's cane in consequence. I have also heard my mother tell how that sometimes I was allowed to remain at home on the pretext of illness. But that, as soon as the school hour was safely past, I would make a rapid and complete recovery, and sally forth with bat and ball, in search of some boy chum with whom to play cricket. I made my own bats and balls in those days, the former out of any piece of wood that came in my way, while the latter were composed of pieces of cloth and string.

Then, with a few bricks, or our jackets for the wicket, we were ready for action. My elder brother, Robert, was also an enthusiast at the game as a lad, and I remember how that we two could beat any other two boys in the district. At times we would play three and four boys for a penny or tuppence, but we were always on the winning side, and this got to be such a common occurrence that eventually we could not get any of the boys to play against us. Consequently, when at practice, I was only allowed to bat for fifteen minutes at a stretch, When I had to give my bat up to another boy.

My brother Robert and I, in order to perfect ourselves in the art of catching, were accustomed to practice in a field behind our house, by throwing the ball from one to the other. On one occasion, I quite thought I had killed him, as I sent him a high ball, which owing to the sun being in his eyes, he failed to grasp. It slipped through his fingers, and fell with great force onto his nose. He dropped like a stone, and lay prone on the ground for some little time, the blood streaming from his nose and over his face. In a state of great fright, I ran home and explained to my mother what had occurred. She came at once, and took Robert to the doctor, who, upon examining the wound, found that the bridge of the nose was broken.

To this day, my brother bears in his nose the mark of his accidents with the cricket ball. When I was only 11 years old, I carried my bat right through an innings for 14 runs in a school match. St. George's vs All Saints. Two years later, I repeated this feat in another school match at Bolton Park, making 33 runs. In this match, I also performed the hat trick. Taking three wickets with three successive balls. Again, ours was the winning side in each match. At that time, I batted as well as bowled left-handed. But acting on the advice of my father, I began to bat right-handed, to avoid the awkwardness and stiffness which left-handed bats so often display. This method I have stuck to ever since, thus presenting the somewhat rare instance of a cricketer.

Batting right-handed and bowling left.

Occasionally when school was over, I would go to the cricket ground up at Tong Moor when the Bolton Gents were at practice. Some of these gentlemen would give me tuppence or threepence for fielding out for them. In this connection, I recall the names of Messrs. F. and W. Hardcastle, who were then considered to be very fine cricketers. There were also a Mr. Jones, a Mr. Scott, and a player named Ned Hurley. The professional's name was Smith, a man who often bowled in clogs. I remember the Bolton gents leaving the ground at Tong Moor and going to Backeth Bank, where George Parr's Old All England Eleven played in the sixties.

At the age of fourteen, I left school and went to work at a printing office. Intending to learn the trade of a compositor. This, however, did not suit me, the hours being much too long, thus preventing me from getting my usual cricket practice, which was, of course, something that could not be put up with for long. So after a few months I left this trade, and became a moulder at the works of Messrs. Dobson and Barlow at Bolton until 1865. In this year my parents removed to Staveley, Derbyshire. Where I found the same occupation at Staveley Ironworks. Here they had a very good cricket club, which enabled me to continue my cricket in good earnest. The first season I played in the second eleven, and made some good scores.

The following season I was drafted into the first eleven, where I remained for several seasons, being successful with both bat and ball. In 1869. I was publicly presented with a bat and ball for my all-round play with the Staveley Works Club during the summer of 1869. The report in the local newspaper reminds me that the chairman, Mr. Fenton, prophesied that I should make one of the finest cricketers in the country. May I say, without appearing vain, that I rejoice in the fulfilment of Mr. Fenton's prediction. Thus, Staveley Works gave me my first present for playing our noble game, and I have only to add that I have kept the bat and ball to this day. I have never used them, but have kept them as a memento.

This occasion was also my first attempt at making a speech.

I made my first century in 1870 when playing for Mount St. Mary's College against Sheffield Wednesday Cricket Club at Spink Hill near Chesterfield. In this match I made 26, and not out 101, and also took 6 wickets for 18 runs. I usually played for this college team in their matches.

I remember the Stavely Cricket Committee offering a prize in 1869 or 1870 for the one who put in most attendances on practice nights during the season. I easily won this prize, not having been once absent. I usually also paid a visit to the cricket ground each Sunday.

My father was the on-sec for the Staveley Works Cricket Club for close on twenty years, and was presented with a gold guard and a marble clock for his good work done for the club. One might have frequently seen at the matches at Staveley, both cricket and football, no fewer than ten members of the Barlow family on the ground at one time. In cricket, my father would be scoring, myself and three brothers playing, and four sisters and my mother watching the match. None of my brothers became county players, though I feel certain that my brother Jack would have made a fine county batsman, but for a serious accident to his kneecap when a young man, which occurred only a fortnight before he received a letter asking him to play for Derbyshire in a county match.

The first big match in which I played was at Staveley in June of 1871 against the late George Parr's All England 11. This match is referred to elsewhere.

The only time that I played two matches in one day was in 1869, one in the morning at a place called Netherthorpe near Staveley, and the other in the afternoon at Staveley. I had to do some rushing about to manage this, I must say. These matches took place on Good Friday of all days.

The best innings I played for Staveley was against a club called Barlborough in 1869, when I made 71 runs against the very fast bowling of George Hibbard, whom I name elsewhere with regard to his fast bowling.

The following is a report of a single wicket match, in which I played whilst at Staveley. Single Wicket Match Five on each side played at Staveley in 1870, between T.G.'s side and R.G. Barlow's side, which ended in a tie and caused great excitement. R.G. Barlow, Bowl Jarvis. Two. T. Chambers, Bowl Jarvis. One. G. Beresford, run out. Nil. E. Hall, Bowl Jarvis. One. J. Brown, run out. One. Total 5. W Jarvis, Court Brown, Bold Barlow, 5. J Doughty, Court Brown, Bold Barlow, 0. D Rogers, Court Hall, Bold Barlow, 0. T G, Court and Bold Barlow, 0. F Buxton, Bold Barlow, 0. Total 5. At one time, it looked 100-1 on G's side winning. As Jarvis had made five runs when I went on to bowl. I, however, took all five wickets for no runs.

My first regular professional engagement was in 1871 at Farsley near Leeds, which covered two seasons. Batting average 24.50. Bowling, I took 84 wickets. Average 5.53 per wicket.

Whilst here, I played a single wicket match against Myers, the Eden pro. Myers was a good cricketer, having since played for Yorkshire on several occasions, and has now a place on the MCC list of county umpires. This kind of match is never played at the present day, and it should be explained for the information of the Tyro that only two men took part in the match now referred to, the bowler doing all his own fielding. And the batsmen having to run to the bowler's wicket and back again to count one run. This match arose through the boasting of the Leeds Clarence Club pro, Johnny Smith, soldier, who, when in the company of some gentleman friends of the Farsley Club, said he would play any member of the Farsley team for £10 or £20, or would find a Yeadon Club player to do so.

I might say in passing that this same Smith had played in several county matches, For both Lancashire and Yorkshire. The gentleman named thereupon put down twenty pound, which was covered, and the match arranged forthwith, myself being chosen for Farsley, and Myers for the Yeadon Club. I should like to add in justice to myself that I was not, nor have I ever been, a betting man, and that I hadn't a single penny laid on the result of this match, though I received several presents for winning it. Also, that Myers and myself have always been the best of friends. It is not so long ago that we were laughingly discussing this very match at Blackpool, where Myers is an occasional visitor.

The following news cutting well describes the event. Cricket match for £20. A single wicket match of considerable interest to the cricketing world was played on the ground of the Yeadon Cricket Club on Monday and Tuesday between R.G. Barlow, professional, Farsley, and M. Myers, professional, Yeadon. The toss for choice of innings was won by Barlow, who thereupon put his opponent in first. But the fourth ball destroyed the shape of the wickets, and Myers had to retire without scoring. Barlow then assumed the defensive, and completely mastering the bowling of Myers, scored thirty-nine when he hit his wicket, retiring amid great applause. After a short interval, Myers again appeared at the wickets, and when he had scored ten, play was stopped for the day.

The game was resumed on Tuesday afternoon by Myers again going in, and when he had scored four more, he was bowled by a bailer. Barlow thus winning the match by one innings and 26 runs. The following is the score. Myers bowled, nil. Myers bowled, 14. Total, 14. Barlow hit wicket, 39. No ball, 1. Total, 40. This match was witnessed by a large concourse of people, and much money changed hands over it.

My second professional club engagement was with the Salt Air CC near Bradford, and lasted five seasons, 1873 to 1877. My best bowling performance while at Salt Air was in 1874 against Bradford, where at that time the late George Ulliot, Yorkshire, was engaged as a professional. He played against us in this match. Salter made 79, my score being 12 runs. Bradford made 66, and I took 9 wickets for 14 runs. Whilst at Salter, I played another single wicket match in 1873 for a silver cup, value £25, my opponent being a cricketer named Jay Burnhill of Otley, Yorkshire.

The following is a newspaper description of this match. On Saturday, a single wicket match at cricket was decided at the Cardigan Arms Ground Leeds for a silver cup, value £25, between RG Barlow of Salterre and J. Burnhill of Otley. There was a very large company present, and the betting ruled in favour of Barlow, who in the first innings made 38 singles, one wide and one no-ball, total 40. Burnhill made six singles and two twos, Totalled ten, when darkness setting in, they agreed to meet on Monday to play it out. But Burnhill failed to show up, and in consequence Barlow received the cup.

My severance with the Saltair CC was alluded to in a complimentary manner at their annual dinner, as the following report will show. Saltair Cricket Club annual dinner. The committee have pleasure in again meeting the members and friends of the club, and in presenting their report for the past year. Your committee cannot allow the report to pass without expressing their regret that the long connection of years with R.G. Barlow has at last been severed by mutual consent. The committee cannot speak too highly of Barlow's services as professional. The play of most members of the club Exhibits traces of his beneficial influence, and every member will admit that his character and conduct have been such as to command the respect of all the members and patrons of the club.

The members have rejoiced at his successes and rapid advance to a leading position in the cricketing world, but were sorry for their own sakes to see that frequent engagements in grand matches would eventually prevent his services being of much more use to a local club. The time having arrived, your committee feel that the club, collectively, and every member, individually, regret its arrival, and wish Barlow every success and continued health. The chairman then offered some remarks, and before sitting down, paid a high compliment to R. G. Barlow. The report, he said, had not been too strongly worded, for Barlow was one of the honestest and fairest players of cricket they had ever met. And his gentlemanly demeanour had been such as to reflect credit upon himself and the club by which he had for the past five years been engaged.

Applause.

Whilst engaged with the Salterre CC, I made over the hundred on several occasions. The following are my averages during my engagement with the club, and I was first each season both in batting and bowling. 1873. Bowling. 1874. Bowling. 1875. 1876. Bowling.

As showing the difference in the remuneration of a club professional between then and now, when £5 and £6 weekly and a benefit are often paid to a good man, I give the salaries which I received as a professional. During my first season's engagement at Farsley in 1871, my salary was 27 shillings per week, and the second season, 30 shillings. The following season at Saltaire, I received 35 shillings per week, followed by 40 shillings and 45 shillings, and the last season I was with them in 1877, I was in receipt of 50 shillings per week. The committee also gave me leave of absence when I was engaged in any county matches. I have never had a regular club engagement since 1877, as my engagements to play in big matches increased in number every year.

3 02 - My Autobiography continued 36:32

My autobiography continued. The means of my discovery, and of my being brought to the notice of the Lancashire County Committee, was a match in which I was playing at Staveley, Derbyshire, in June 1871, against the late George Parr's All England 11. W. Hickton, who was at that time engaged on the county ground at Manchester, was also playing, and hearing that I was a Lancashire-born lad, came and had some conversation with me. He advised me to write to the Lancashire Committee, and promised to back up my application. I therefore wrote to them, and at once received a reply, asking me to come over to Manchester for a trial on the Friday afternoon. I accordingly went, I was given about half an hour's batting against the bowling of Hickton and several other professionals.

This was followed by half an hour's bowling, and then some fielding and catching practice. So taking it all round, they gave me a very thorough trial. I must have satisfied my attestors, for in a few days after my return home, I received a letter from the Lancashire Committee. Asking me to play against Yorkshire, which match took place at Sheffield on the 17th, 18th and 19th of July, 1871. Here I made my first appearance in county cricket, not having previously had to play in any Colts matches. I am pleased to say that I made a good start for my county, as I went in to bat at the fall of the fifth wicket. And at the close of the day's play was not out, with eighteen to my credit. I was compelled to retire shortly before the drawing of the stumps, owing to Clayton having, with a bumping ball, fractured the little finger of my right hand.

On the following day, I continued my innings with my hand bound up, and I did ten to my score, carrying out my bat for twenty-eight. I remember at this match that the Yorkshire tale gave us some trouble. West and Idison had each made over forty runs, when Mr. Hornby gave me the ball. I think that C. Coward had been suggesting to Mr. Hornby to give me a trial with the ball, for I had been bowling to the former that same morning before the opening of the match. I went on to bowl, and with my very first ball upset West's wicket. I shall never forget how elated I felt. In the next innings, I was put on to bowl first, and secured three more wickets. My analysis for the two innings was 23 overs, 4 maidens, 44 runs, 4 wickets.

I may say that I did not miss many matches after this, and continued to play right on till 1891. So, on the whole, I think I had rather a long innings, comprising as it did. Twenty-one seasons, and three cricket tours to Australia. I played in every match out there, and some of my doings with both bat and ball are given elsewhere. It is to me very noticeable what a great change has come over the county cricket ground at Old Trafford, Manchester, since I made my debut. I well remember that at some of the county matches in the early seventies, I could almost count the spectators around the ground. I often think of the many happy days I have spent on the county ground, and of success after success which the county achieved in the seventies and early eighties.

We Lancashire professionals were a happy family in those days, and possessed in Mr. A. N. Hornby, one of the best captains who ever lived. A thorough gentleman, possessing good qualities all round, Lancashire are not likely ever to look upon his like again. I am certain that everything today is better for the professional county cricketer than it was, say, twenty or thirty years ago. For one thing, the present-day professional receives winter pay at the rate of thirty shillings to forty shillings per week, a thing unknown in the old days. Then the matches are arranged more conveniently, the players taking a kind of tour through the country instead of having to travel long distances between the matches as formerly.

At the same time, the cricketers do not, in my opinion, derive nearly so much pleasure from the game as the old players did. I consider that several of the counties played too many matches in a season, making it very severe on some of the players, especially the bowlers on these present-day wickets. It is a somewhat common occurrence nowadays for a batsman to make his 1,000 runs and a bowler to get his 100 wickets in a season. In the 1904 season, there were over 50 batsmen who each made their 1,000 runs, and more than 20 bowlers who each took over 100 wickets. Just compare this with the season of 1880, when Barnes of Knott's was the only batsman to make his 1,000 runs, and Shaw Knott's, Morley Knott's, and Pete York's, the only bowlers to take over 100 wickets each.

I was singularly fortunate in escaping serious injury during a long career, and was only off playing for a few weeks altogether. The most serious accident befell me, singular to state, in my first county match when I sustained a fractured finger. This I have already referred to. During my long career in county and first-class cricket, I never acquired a pair of spectacles. I once had the misfortune to get them, however, in a local match.

I took my benefit on August 5th, 6th and 7th, 1886, which was described as being the most attractive fixture on the Lancashire card for that season, and it proved a great success. The weather was fairly good the first two days of the match, the third day being spoiled by rain, which continued up to within a few minutes of lunchtime. It was computed that over 27,000 persons paid for admission. The match ended in a draw in our favour. Altogether, I made something like £1,000, including gate money and subscriptions. This amount, of course, falls far short of the sums realised at benefit matches of the present day, over £3,000 having been made in two cases. The reason for this difference is not far to seek.

County clubs now possess many more members, and far greater numbers attend the matches. Then again, benefit matches, in the case of stars, occasionally take place on bank holiday, which always has the effect of running up the figures. The Manchester Press gave me the following complimentary notice. This match, Lanks vs. Knott's, was for the benefit of Barlow, the most popular of all Lancashire professionals. And one of the best all-round cricketers in the world. Barlow's characteristic is steadiness. He probably never really disappointed his admirers during the whole of a match. If he has occasionally failed as a batter, as the best batters sometimes must, he is almost always invariably compensated for the disappointment by doing something brilliant with the ball, whilst at point he has few equals in or out of England.

The mere chronicle of the good things he has done for his native county would fill a column. Was there ever a more distinguished pair of batters than Barlow and his captain? The wonderful things they have done between them will never be forgotten whilst Lancashire County Cricket has a history. Moreover, as everybody knows, Barlow has, for a whole generation, been the stone wall of Lancashire Cricket. Many a match has been pulled out of the fire by the mere fact of keeping up his wicket. He simply is a terror to all bowlers when the necessities of the game make this his cue. At the same time, we could name many instances where he has given a good account of himself as a fast scorer. See averages.

His record is, indeed, one of splendid interest. Personally, He has in every way conducted himself in such a manner as to elevate professionalism in cricket.

Following, I give a few of my performances with both bat and ball during my cricketing career, extending from 1871 to 1901. For Lancashire, in first-class matches from 1871 to 1891, I scored 8,092 runs in 388 innings. Which represents an average of 20.6. Bowling. I took 754 wickets. Runs from 9,986. Average 13.2 per wicket. I have made three trips with English cricket teams to Australia and other countries as follow. 1881 to 1882. With A. Shaw's team, which visited America, Australia and New Zealand. 1882 to 1883, with the Honourable Ivo Bly's team, which visited Australia and Tasmania. And in 1886 to 1887, with Shaw and Shrewsbury's team to Australia. I played in every match during these three trips.

My batting average with the 1881 to 1882 team, was 30.1 for first-class matches, and for all matches, 26.3. Bowling average, 29.2 for first-class matches, and for all matches, 9.8 per wicket. 1882-1883 team. Batting average in first-class matches, 28.1. Bowling average, first-class matches, 18.3 per wicket. 1886-1887 team.

Batting average in first-class matches, 20.66, and in all matches, 24.3. Bowling average, first-class matches, 24.11, all matches, 10.35. The Manchester Guardian, 1902, says, Always putting the same county matches first-class as they have done of late years. and all other first-class matches. From 1871 to 1891, Barlow scored over 12,000 runs and took over 1,000 wickets. This is only excelled by Dr. W.G. Grace in the time named, taking both together the double feat. The first time I carried my bat through the innings for Lancashire was at Maidstone against Kent in 1874, when I made 26. I believe I hold the record for batting through the innings, having accomplished the feat about fifty times in first-class cricket and other matches named elsewhere.

My best season in this respect was in 1882. Six times, four times in first-class matches, viz, once against the Australians, twice against Notts, and once against Gloucestershire. In spite of the oft-repeated statement by some that I was a slow scorer, It will be found on glancing over the following scores that I was generally responsible for a large share of the runs. 1875. Lancashire vs. Leicestershire at Manchester. 66 not out. 1875. Lancashire vs. Kent at Catford Bridge. 87. 1875. Lancashire vs. Yorkshire at Old Trafford. 50 not out. This season I had the highest batting average in England in first-class matches, viz 38.8. 1876. Lancashire vs Kent at Gravesend. 36 out of a total of 68 from the bat on a very bad wicket.

The next highest score to mine was seven. 1876. Gentlemen vs Players at Prince's Ground, London. 45 not out. 1876. Lancashire vs. Notts at Nottingham, 34, and carried my bat through the innings against Shaw and Morley, the great bowlers at that time. This was the first occasion on which I played against them. For this innings I was presented with a few pounds. 1877 North vs. South at Hull, 82. My bowling analysis for this match reads, 13 overs, 10 maidens, 5 runs, and 2 wickets. Including that of Dr. W.G. Grace. I was presented with £5 at the close of this match. 1877. Lancashire vs. Kent at Manchester. 56 out of a total of 114 from the bat. 1878. Lancashire vs. MCC at Lourdes. I carried my bat through the innings for 35 out of a total of 99.

On a bad wicket against the bowling of Shaw, Morley, G.G. Hearn and Bycroft. 1878. Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Manchester. 40 out of a total of 82 from the bat. 1878. An England 11 vs. Derbyshire at Derby. 67 runs. Also bowled 5 overs for no runs, and took 3 wickets. 1879. Lancashire vs. Derbyshire at Derby. 50 out of 148 from the bats. 1881. Lancashire vs. Surrey at the Oval. 96 on a very bad wicket. Surrey, second innings, were all out for 81 on the same wicket. 1881. Shaw's English team vs. Philadelphia at Philadelphia. 17-59. Top score. 1881. Shaws Team vs New South Wales at Sydney. 1881. Shaws Team vs 18 of San Francisco and District at San Francisco. 1881. Shaws England 11 vs South Australia at Adelaide.

1881-1882. Shaws Team. Versus 22 of Orangian district in New South Wales, on a bad wicket without grass. I carried my bat through the innings for 60 runs. Next highest score, 24. The Sydney Mail said, Barlow thus carried out his bat for sixty after playing one of the best all-round innings against twenty-two that has ever been seen, never having given one single chance of any kind. Another newspaper report adds, Barlow is one of the few batsmen who have assisted in putting over 100 runs on for the first wicket in a Test match, England v Australia. Barlow and Ulliot put on 122 for the first at Sydney in 1882. Barlow made 62, Ulliot 67. 1882, Lancashire v Knott at Liverpool, 44 not out, out of a total of 93 on a bad wicket.

And 49 run out in the second innings. 1882. Lancashire vs. Middlesex at Lourdes. Mr. Hornby and myself put on 180 for the first wicket. 1882. Lancashire vs. Notts at Nottingham. I carried my bat through the innings for five runs, on an extremely bad wicket. 1882. Lancashire vs. Australians at Manchester. I carried my bat through the innings for 66. And was presented with £17.15. 1882. Shaw's English Team vs Australia. Test match at Sydney, 31 and 62. 1882. Shaw's England 11 vs 18 of Canterbury at Christchurch, New Zealand, 77. 1882. Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Clifton. Carried my bat through the innings for 58 runs. 1882. Honourable Ivo Bly's English Team vs New South Wales at Sydney. Mr.

Leslie and myself put on 224 runs for the second wicket. 1882. Shaw's English Team vs Australia, Test Match at Melbourne, 16-56. 1882. Honourable Ivo Bly's English Team vs New South Wales at Sydney, 80. 1882, Shaws team vs. Australians at the Oval, London. 56 second innings. This year, 1882, I made 1,088 runs in first-class cricket, averaged 27.8. I also took 92 wickets for an average of 10.82 runs. This is my best all-round year, and I was first in batting and bowling averages for Lancashire. Batting, 30.16 per innings. Bowling, 9.61 per wicket. This is a record in Lancashire County matches up to the present time, 1908. Speaking of my 1882 season, the Manchester Press said, if the honours of the season have fallen to an individual, it is to Barlow.

That imperturbable cricketer has decidedly increased his previously high reputation. and may claim to be the champion cricketer of the Champion County of 1882. His batting average is the highest of the year, his bowling is also the highest, and he is one of the best points in England. Impatient people say his batting is too slow to be good, but those laugh who win, and assuredly Barlow has won. Another newspaper cutting in 1882 reads, Barlow, for the fourth time this season, Carried his bat right through the innings. I can only say that he did not give a chance, and that he is undoubtedly one of the very best professionals we ever had in this country. Wisden's Cricket Almanac for 1883 gave the following.

Barlow, in batting as in bowling, is at the top of the tree for Lancashire. And considering how splendidly successful he has been in both departments, he is fairly entitled to be reckoned the best all-round cricketer in England. 1884. Lancashire v. M. C. C. at Lourdes, 117. 1884. Lancashire v. Cheshire at Stockport, 100. 1884. Lancashire v. Leicestershire at Leicester, 119. Also took seven wickets. 1884. North of England versus Australians at Nottingham, 101, and also took ten wickets for 48 runs. It was here presented with the full score printed on satin and a few other presents. 1885. Lancashire versus Surrey at Manchester, 71 and 39 not out. Was presented with eight pound for batting. 1885.

Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Manchester, 108. 1885. Lancashire vs. Essex at Leyton, 82, and also took 9 wickets for 63 runs. 1885. Lancashire vs. Cheshire at Manchester, 71, and took 6 wickets for 39 runs. 1885. Lewis Halls, England 11 vs. Shawes, Australian 11. At Bradford. 34 not out, out of 56 from the bat, second innings, but only a few wickets were down when time was called. 1885. Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Clifton. I carried my bat through the innings for 62 runs, and also took seven wickets. 1886. Lancashire vs. Oxford University at Manchester. 52 not out, out of a total of 105 from the bat. 1886. England vs. Australia at Manchester. Test match. 38 not out and 30, and also took 8 wickets for 68 runs and caught 3 other men out.

1886. Shaw and Shrewsbury's team vs. 18 of Geelongan district. 108. This was my highest score in Australia. And in first class matches, 86 against Victoria at Melbourne. 1886. Players of England v. Australians at Nottingham, 113, was again presented with the full score on Satin, and £5 for this performance. 1887. Shaw's England team v. Australia, test match at Sydney, 34 and not out, 42. 1887. Lancashire v. Cheshire at Manchester, 59. 1889. Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Liverpool. The Manchester Press said, RG Barlow ought to pat himself on the back. In his weekly notes, Dr. WG Grace says that in the Lancashire vs Gloucestershire match, Barlow was by far the hardest to play, and bowled splendidly until Briggs missed WG at cover.

The great batsman evidently respects the bowling of RG, who has got his wicket pretty frequently. 1889. Lancashire vs Leicestershire at Manchester. 35 on a bad wicket. The following is from a newspaper cutting. The Lancashire innings was not a big one, but it was quite large enough for the purpose. Barlow, who is a wonderful batsman on a bad wicket, scored 35 in capital style. 1889. Lancashire vs Dublin University at Dublin. 81. 1889. Lancashire vs. Cheshire at Stockport. 106 runs with the bat. The newspaper report of this match said, Cheshire looked like making a good stand in their second innings with Lancashire until Barlow was put on to bowl, and the veteran, if you will excuse my terming him one, got seven wickets for 27 runs.

Apparently, there is a deal of life in the old man yet. He seemed determined to shine with both bat and ball on Friday and Saturday. 1890. Lancashire vs. Middlesex at Lourdes, 40 in the second innings, out of a total of 108 from the bat. 1890. Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Clifton, 92 and not out 18. 1891. Lancashire vs. Oxford University at Manchester, 88. I have given the foregoing scores. Partly to show that I was not invariably a stone-waller or a slow-scorer, a statement which has often been made by both press and public alike.

Following, I give a few of my bowling performances in first-class matches. 1878. Lancashire vs Yorkshire at Huddersfield. First innings. 27 overs. 16 maidens. 22 runs. 8 wickets. 1878. Lancashire vs Kent at Manchester. Second innings. Nine overs, seven maidens, three runs, five wickets. 1878. At Newcastle, against Dr. W. G. Grace's South of England 11, I took seven wickets for 14 runs, and also scored 42 with the bat. 1878. Lancashire vs Kent at Towne Molling. Second innings. Thirty-nine overs, 19 maidens. 35 runs, 7 wickets. 1880. Mr. C. I. Thorntons, England 11, versus Cambridge University. First innings, 23 overs, 15 maidens, 16 runs, 7 wickets. Second innings, I took 6 wickets for 32 runs.

Both innings, 66 overs, 48 runs, 13 wickets. 1880. Lancashire versus Surrey at Manchester. Second innings, 15 overs, 11 maidens, 12 runs, 5 wickets. 1881, Lancashire vs. Derbyshire at Derby. Ten overs, nine maidens, three runs, six wickets. I took three wickets with three balls, and the first five wickets were taken without a run being scored off my bowling. 1881, Lancashire vs. Kent at Manchester. First innings. Thirty overs, fifteen maidens, twenty-nine runs, eight wickets, and in the return match at Moak Park, Kent, I took five wickets for sixteen runs, and was top scorer with sixty-one runs. 1881. Gentlemen vs. Players at Lord's. Seventy-two overs, forty-two maidens, fifty-five runs, seven wickets.

The seven wickets were Dr. W. G. Grace, Honourable A. Lyttelton, A. N. Hornby, A very tough lot, it must be admitted. 1882. Lancashire vs Kent at Maidstone. 18 overs, 7 maidens, 20 runs, 6 wickets. 1882. Lancashire vs Somerset at Taunton. 8 overs, 5 maidens, 7 runs, 4 wickets. 1882. England v Australia. Test match. At the Oval. First innings. 31 overs. 22 maidens. 19 runs. 5 wickets. 1882. Lancashire v Cambridge University. Mr. A.J. Steele, the Lancashire and international cricketer, thinks Barlow was at that time, 1882, The best all-round cricketer in England. V-Day Press. 1883 Honourable Ivo Bly's English team vs Australia. Test match. At Sydney, second innings. 34 overs, 20 maidens, 40 runs, 7 wickets.

For my bowling in this match, I received over £20 and a silver cup. Also a few other presents. 1883 Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Manchester. 22 overs, 15 maidens, 10 runs, 5 wickets. 1884. An England 11 vs. Australians at Birmingham. First innings. 17 overs, 9 wickets. 1884. I took 13 wickets for 66 runs.

Gentlemen vs. Players at the Oval. I took the wickets of Dr. W.G. Grace, Messers W.W. Reid and Jay Shooter, with three successive balls. I was captain for the players in this match, and I am pleased to say that we won. 1884. This season I took 130 wickets in first-class matches, at an average per wicket of 15.9 runs. Only one other cricketer took more wickets than myself this season, viz. the late E. Pete, who took 137 wickets. I might add here that there were only eight bowlers in England who took their hundred wickets during the season just named. Last season, 1907, there were 22. This will show that very many more matches are played now than 20 years ago. 1885. Extraordinary Bowling. Lancashire vs Sussex at Manchester.

Barlow bowled for an hour and had only one run scored off him. The first 31 overs were 28 maidens, 6 runs, 5 wickets. V-Day Press. 1886. England vs Australia. Test match at Manchester. Second innings. 52 overs, 34 maidens, 44 runs, 7 wickets. Also scored 38 not out and 30. I was here presented with £5 and several other small gifts. 1886. Lancashire vs. Notts at Manchester, my benefits match. I made just 50 with the bat, and also took three wickets with three successive balls. Viz, those of Shacklock, Sherwin and Shrewsbury, being the last two balls of the first innings, and the first ball after I went on bowling in the second, Notts having had to follow on. 1886. Lancashire vs. Sussex at Manchester.

32 overs, 16 maidens, 39 runs, 9 wickets, and the 10th batsman was missed off my bowling. 1886. England vs. 1886. Lancashire vs Cheshire at Manchester, second innings. 11 overs, 8 Maidens, 7 runs, 4 wickets. I also made 71 runs with the bat. 1886. Lancashire vs Warwickshire at Birmingham. 16 overs, 10 Maidens, 14 runs, 5 wickets. 1887. Lancashire vs Surrey at the Oval, first innings. 14 overs, 7 maidens, 11 runs, 5 wickets. 1887 Lancashire vs. Knott's at Manchester. 26 overs, 17 maidens, 25 runs, 8 wickets. 1887. Lancashire vs Kent at Gravesend. In the second innings, I took six wickets for 28 runs. 1888. Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Liverpool. Both innings. 36 overs, 19 Maidens, 42 runs, 6 wickets.

1888. Lancashire vs Kent at Manchester. First innings. 36 overs, 24 Maidens, 27 runs, 3 wickets. Second innings. 31 overs, 21 Maidens, 18 runs, 3 wickets. 1888. Lancashire vs Yorkshire at Manchester. Second innings. 11 overs, 5 maidens, 14 runs, 3 wickets. 1888, Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Gloucester. 26 overs, 16 maidens, 13 runs, 5 wickets, including Drs. W. G. Grace and E. M. Grace. 1888, Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Liverpool. R. G. Barlow was probably well satisfied with what he did against Gloucestershire at Liverpool. One little feat is worth a line all to itself. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 4. Bold Barlow, 16. Rather curiously, E. M. Grace was also caught off him in both innings for eight each.

V-Day Press. 1888. Lancashire vs. Sussex at Brighton. First innings. 57 overs, 43 Maidens, 27 runs, 4 wickets. 1889 Lancashire vs Cheshire at Stockport, 2nd innings, 17 overs, 7 Maidens, 27 runs, 7 wickets. 1889 Lancashire vs Oxford at Oxford, 2nd innings, 10 overs, 5 Maidens, 12 runs, 4 wickets. 1889 I bowled very little this season, owing to a sprained leg. My last first-class county match for Lancashire was at Manchester against Yorkshire in 1891. I made nine runs and did not bowl at all. It is a coincidence that my first county match was also against Yorkshire in 1871. My last county match for Lancashire was at Manchester against Cheshire in 1892. I was caught at the wicket for six. I did not bowl.

This was counted as second class. In 1893, I played in my last match against a first-class team. This was for 16 of Blackpool and District, against the Australians at Blackpool. I made 15 and 13, and in the first innings bowled 19 overs, 7 maidens, 23 runs, 4 wickets. I always considered, like a great many more, that I was left out of the county team much too soon. As Dr. W.G. Grace remarks in his book on cricket, Barlow was left out of the Lancashire team long before he had lost his form. From 1875 to 1891, Barlow has scored more runs and taken more wickets than any other cricketer taking both departments together in first-class cricket With the exception of Dr. W.G. Grace. V.D. Press Between 1881 and 1890, Barlow scored close upon 7,000 runs, an average of 21 runs per completed innings, and took 714 wickets at an average cost of 14 runs apiece.

Only seven cricketers capturing a larger number of wickets in that period in first-class cricket. V.D. Press We may safely make the general statement that Barlow has got the champion's wicket, Dr. W.G. Grace, as often and as cheaply as any bowler he ever met, even in the very zenith of his fame. Barlow is the only representative cricketer in England in international matches versus Australia who has first been selected to bat and bowl in the same match, and for the players versus gentlemen same season. Also in county matches, he has been selected to bat and bowl first in the same match more times than any other living cricketer. V.D. Manchester Guardian. It is remarkable how very unsuccessful Dr.

W.G. Grace has invariably been against Lancashire on Lancashire grounds, and also how often Barlow has brought about the downfall of this great batsman. V.D. Press.

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My autobiography continued. Some of my achievements in local cricket. A few of my achievements in local cricket, both batting and bowling, will be found in the following list. 1870 Mr. B. Rogers' team vs. R. G. Barlow's team, 12 a side at Staveley. I took 10 wickets and caught the 11th from George Hayes Bowling. 1871 Farsley vs. Manningham at Farsley, 50 out of a total of 94 from the bat. 1872 Farsley vs. Manningham at Manningham, 52 out of a total of 92 from the bat. 1872. Farsley vs. Marley Nelson, a good local club. I bowled right through the innings for three runs, and took four wickets with four successive balls. 1879. G.F. Graces, United South of England 11 vs. 18 of Leicester & District at Leicester.

First innings, 34 overs, 21 maidens, 19 runs, 6 wickets. Second innings, 32 overs, 20 Maidens, 21 runs, 8 wickets. 1879. G.F. Grace's United South of England 11, versus 22 of Kidderminster, including Bates, Ulliot, Hill and Lockwood at Kidderminster. 36 overs, 22 Maidens, 40 runs, 10 wickets, including the wickets of the above-named four Yorkshire County players for six runs. 1879 GF Grace's United South of England 11 vs 22 of Birmingham at Birmingham. First innings. 35 overs, 17 maidens, 32 runs, 11 wickets. Second innings. 34 overs, 18 maidens, 16 runs, 8 wickets. I played for Mr. GF Grace's United South of England 11 a few times this season. As will be seen by the foregoing matches. 1879. United North vs.

18 of Leeds and District at the Horticultural Gardens Leeds. The press said, the feature of the second innings of the United was that Barlow went in first and came out bat in hand for 41 out of a total of 103 from the bat. A wonderful innings considering the dangerous state of the wickets. I remember being hit on the head twice, the ball on each occasion going to the boundary for four. These were, of course, put down as leg buys. Our opponents included Mr. Motley and a professional named Blackburn, two very good and fast bowlers, the other professional bowlers being Gilbert, Skinner, Littlewood and Lewis Hall, the old Yorkshire player. How I managed to stay in batting so long on such a bad wicket, I do not know.

Alec Watson, the old Lancashire player, always said, and will have it to this day, that this innings was the most wonderful he ever saw on such a wicket. 1880. G. F. Grace's United Eleven of England vs. Eighteen of Bedminster, including Drs. W. G. and E. M. Grace at Bedminster. I got Dr. W. G. Grace's wicket, caught, for six in the first innings, and bowled him for ten in the second innings. 1880. Rishton v. Enfield at Rishton. 45 not out, out of a total of 84. 1880. Renishaw v. Manvers Main at Renishaw. 42 not out, out of a total of 75 from the bat. 1881. United England 11 v. 18 of Nuneaton and District. 30 overs, 22 maidens, 15 runs, 10 wickets. 1882. Duckingfield vs. Melton Mills at Duckingfield.

67 not out, out of a total of 108 from the bat. 1882. Duckingfield vs. Bentfield at Duckingfield. 15 overs, 9 maidens, 15 runs, 7 wickets. 1883. Lancashire vs. 22 Colts at Manchester. 32 runs out of a total of 66. 1883. Duckingfield vs. Birch at Duckingfield. I took six wickets for seven runs, and made 28 out of a total of 38. 1884. Lancashire vs. 18 of Crewen District at Crewe. 13 overs, five maidens, 20 runs, 10 wickets. 1884. Ramsbottom vs. Oldham at Ramsbottom. 58 not out, out of a total of 84. 1884 Ramsbottom vs. Rishton at Rishton. 80 runs out of a total of 151 from the bat. 1885 Lancashire vs. 22 of Nantwich at Nantwich. Second innings. 36 overs, 20 maidens. 24 runs, 10 wickets. 1885 Ramsbottom vs.

Bakeup at Ramsbottom. 18 overs, 10 maidens, 19 runs, 6 wickets. 1885 Ramsbottom vs. Keithley at Ramsbottom. 26 not out, out of a total of 49. For two seasons, 1884-5, I played for Ramsbottom CC on all my spare Saturdays. My 1884 batting average was 36 per innings. My 1885 batting average of 16.7 per innings and bowling average of 5.5 per wicket were both again first in the averages. 1885 Castleton-Moore vs Lydgate at Castleton. 43 runs out of a total of 86 from the bat. And also took all five wickets that were down for 14 runs. 1886. Cheetham versus Denton at Cheetham. Seven overs, two maidens. Seven runs, six wickets. 1887. Lancashire versus 18 of Colnan district. I took 12 of the 14 wickets down for 29 runs.

1887. Lancashire versus 20 of Nantwichen district. at Nantwich. Second innings. Nine wickets for nineteen runs, and also performed the hat-trick. 1887. Lancashire versus 16 of Leyland and District at Leyland. 69 runs out of a total of 155 from the bat, and 24 not out, second innings. 1887. Lancashire versus 18 of Bolton and District at Bolton. 14 wickets for 51 runs. 1887. Lancashire vs. 18 Colts at Manchester. Second innings. 23 overs, 11 maidens, 25 runs, 10 wickets. 1887. Duckingfield vs. Moorside at Duckingfield. Six wickets for 12 runs, and scored 87 runs for them against Castleton Moor the following week. 1888. East Lancashire vs Burnley at Blackburn. Five wickets for thirteen runs, including F.

Suggs, who played for Burnley. 1888. Rochdale vs Ashton-Underline at Rochdale. Seventy-one runs. Also took six wickets. Several pounds were collected and given to me for my all-round play in this match. 1889. Mr. A. N. Hornby's team, versus 18, of Church Minshall, at Parkfield, Nantwich. I made 60 runs. 1889. Barlow's Lancashire team, versus 20, of the Isle of Man. I made 58 runs, and took 8 wickets for 24. 1889. Duckingfield versus Saddleworth at Duckingfield. I made 41 runs, and took 6 wickets for 15. 1890. Staley Bridge vs. Barnsley with Bagshaw and Bennett. I had the following extraordinary bowling average. 23 overs, 20 maidens, 7 runs, 7 wickets. The Barnsley score was 60. I bowled throughout the innings.

1890 Staley Bridge vs. Moorside at Moorside. I made 28 runs and took 7 wickets. 1891 Royton vs. Littleborough at Littleborough. Nine wickets for fifteen runs, and caught the tenth. 1891. Royton vs. Crompton at Royton. Eight wickets for twenty-three runs. 1891. Royton vs. Paddyham at Paddyham. I took eight wickets and made fifty not out. 1891. My averages for Royton this season were twenty-four runs per innings with the bat. And I took 55 wickets for six runs each. I was second on the list for both batting and bowling. 1892. Mr. A. N. Hornby's team versus Rossall School at Rossall. 96 runs. 1892. Royton versus Staley Bridge at Staley Bridge. 52 not out, out of a total of 122 from the bat. 1892.

Reuten vs. Berry at Reuten. Seven wickets for 16 runs. 1892. Reuten vs. Fryermir at Reuten. Six wickets for four runs. 1892. Reuten vs. Paddyham at Paddyham. 42 runs, and took five wickets for 14 runs. 1892. Reuten vs. Paddyham at Reuten. I carried my bat through the innings for 25 runs out of a total of 51, and took seven wickets for 24 runs. 1892. Royton vs Staley Bridge at Royton. 51 not out. 1892. Besides occasionally officiating as umpire in the big matches, R.G. Barlow is still doing good work for the Royton Club, and on a Saturday Playing against Milnero in a league match, he took six wickets for seven runs, in addition to scoring forty-six. As Barlow also performed the hat-trick, we should think he would be very well satisfied with the afternoon's proceedings.

He has still a lot of cricket left in him, and he might do worse than shave off his beard and come out as a colt in the match at Old Trafford on bank holiday. FIDE PRESS. 1892 Averages for this season for Reuton. Bowling. 61 wickets for 6.54 per wicket. First in both batting and bowling. 1893. Reuton vs. Walston at Reuton. 51 runs, and took 4 wickets for 16 runs. 1893. Reuton vs. Haywood at Reuton. 57 runs. 1893. Reuten vs Haywood at Haywood. Eight wickets for 19 runs. 1893. Reuten vs Milnero at Reuten. Carried my bat through the innings for 26 runs and took four wickets. 1893. Average is this season for Reuten. Batting 18.10 per innings. Bowling 85 wickets for 7.78 per wicket. First in bowling, second in batting.

1894. Royton vs. Milneau at Royton. I took three wickets with three successive balls, and with each ball bowled the middle stump. Also made 46 runs, and took six wickets for seven runs, including the above. 1894. Royton vs. Radcliffe at Radcliffe. I carried my bat through the innings for 13 runs. Out of a total of 30 from the bat, and took four wickets for 23 runs. 1894. Dr. Ferguson's team versus Burnley St. Andrews, including Forbes, at Burnley. I carried my bat through the innings for 60 runs, and took six wickets for 33. 1894. Average is this season for Royton. Batting, 24.4 per innings. Bowling, 35 wickets for 5.32 per wicket. First in both batting and bowling. Barlow was, before Briggs, both in batting and bowling for Royton this season.

They had almost the same number of innings and almost the same number of overs and wickets. Briggs averaged in batting 15.2 per innings and 7.18 per wicket in bowling. Barlow and Jay Briggs were both engaged for Royton this season for all their spare Saturdays. V-Day Press. 1895. Royton vs. Bakeup at Royton. 15 runs and took 7 wickets for 13 runs. 1895. Royton vs. Littleborough at Littleborough. I carried my bat through the innings for 11 runs out of a total of 34, and took 5 wickets. 1895. Royton vs. Milneau at Milneau. 51 runs and took 5 wickets. 1895. Royton vs. Darwin at Royton. 50 runs and took 5 wickets. 1895. Average is this season for Royton. Batting 18.9 per innings. Bowling 65 wickets for 7.40 per wicket.

First in both batting and bowling. 1896. Royton vs. Rochdale at Royton. 19 runs and took 6 wickets. 1896. Royton vs. Walsdon at Walsdon. I carried my bat through the innings for 50 out of a total of 106 runs from the bat, and took 4 wickets for 29 runs. Good performance by a veteran. In a match between Royton and Walsden in the Lancashire Central League on Saturday, R.G. Barlow, the old Lancashire County professional playing for Royton, carried his bat through an innings of 119 for 50. This performance makes over 50 times that Barlow has carried his bat through an innings in county and local matches. In this match, he also took four wickets for 29 runs. V-Day Press. 1896. Average is this year for Royton.

Batting, 21.5 per innings. Bowling, 38 wickets for 8.28 per wicket. First in bowling and second in batting. 1897. Royton vs Crompton at Royton. 51 not out and took 5 wickets. 1897. Royton vs Walsdon at Royton. 45 runs. And took seven wickets for 34 runs. 1897. Average is this season for Royton. Batting 20.33 per innings. Bowling 65 wickets for 8.55 per wicket. First in bowling and second in batting. All Royton matches are Central Lancashire League. With the 1897 season, my connection with the Royton Club came to a termination. During my engagement with them, I received from the Secretary the following kind letter of appreciation. Royton Cricket Club, 56 Church Street, Royton, September 22, 1897.

Dear Sir, I have been requested by my committee to tender you their thanks for the services you have rendered to our club during the seven seasons you have been connected with us. You have given the greatest satisfaction Not only to the committee, but to every member of the club, for the excellent manner in which you have assisted the team, as we feel sure that you have been the means of achieving many a victory, which we should not otherwise have done without your help. With the exception of a few weeks at the commencement of the season just ended, your form has been most consistent, and you come out at the finish with splendid averages. Your bowling analysis is indeed a grand performance, and is a proof that you are far from being played out, and I feel certain you are still worthy of a place in the County Eleven.

I sincerely hope you may still devote several years to your favourite game of cricket, a sport you have already done so much for, and I trust we may again have the pleasure of seeing you in our team, as we may rest assured that whenever you play, you will try with all your might to help the team to victory. Thanking you once more. I am. Yours sincerely, Jace Morton, On-Secretary, Mr. R. G. Barlow, Blackpool. Royton was a good club, and occupied a high position in the Central Lancashire League. 1898. Mr. A. N. Hornby's team, versus 15, of Wigan, at Wigan. I took six wickets. Visitors to the new cricket ground of the Wigan Cricket Club on Saturday last, Saw a sight that would doubtless carry the minds of some of those present back a good few years.

Before many of our present-day players knew much about cricket, the names of A. N. Hornby and R. G. Barlow were as familiar as household words. As a pair, they have done many wonderful deeds, opening the Lancashire batting for season after season, almost without a break. Indeed, so inseparable did they become. that at last, when Lancashire were once playing Yorkshire at Huddersfield, a Yorkshire critic alluded to Barlow as Mr. Hornby's Man Friday, and for many a day afterwards, R. G. was known far and wide by that name. V. Day Press. 1898. Mr. A. and Hornby's team versus Nantwich at Nantwich. Sixteen runs, and took five wickets for 18 runs. 1898. Ramsbottom vs Colne at Colne, Lancashire League match.

50 not out, and took three of the six wickets that were down. 1898 Ramsbottom vs Burnley at Burnley, Lancashire League match. Seven wickets for 23 runs. 1898 Blackpool vs Lytham at Lytham. 63 not out. 1898 Blackpool vs Lee at Blackpool. 55 runs, and took four wickets for 13 runs. 1898. Averages for Blackpool this season. Batting, 41.4 per innings. Bowling, 5.13 per wicket. First in both batting and bowling. Averages for all matches this season against such clubs as Bury, Leyland, Wigan, Burnley, Lytham, Colm, Baycup, and East Lancashire Wanderers. Batting, twenty-seven point four, innings, bowling forty-four wickets for five point three per wicket. Cricketers generally, and Lancashire men especially, will be glad to hear how well he has gone through the season, and shows better results than for many years past.

Mr. R. G. Barlow, whom Blackpool now claims as a townsman, is one of the finest exponents of England's favourite summer pastime the world has ever seen. And few men keep their form the number of years he has done. He can still bat, bowl and field wonderfully well, as recent performances testify. V-Day Press. 1899 Blackpool vs. SE Manchester at Blackpool. 51 not out. 1899 Blackpool vs. Clifton at Blackpool. 45 not out, and took 8 wickets for 28 runs. 1899. Average for Blackpool this season. Batting, 32.7 per innings. Bowling, 9 runs per wicket. 1st in bowling and 3rd in batting. 1900. Blackpool vs. East Lancashire Wanderers at Blackpool. 20 runs and took 6 wickets. 1900. Blackpool vs. Burnley St Andrews at Blackpool.

55 runs and took 3 wickets. 1900. Averages for Blackpool this season. Batting 16.9 per innings. Bowling 10.1 per wicket. Second in both batting and bowling. 1901. Blackpool vs Lytham at Lytham. Ten runs and took five wickets for 30 runs. 1901. Blackpool vs Paddock, Huddersfield, at Blackpool. 29.33 not out. 1901. Averages for Blackpool this season. Batting 12.4 per innings. Bowling 10.1 per wicket. 1st in bowling and 8th in batting. These last few seasons I could not get much practice, owing to my many umpiring engagements. I had also reached the age of 51 years. All things considered, I decided to give up match-playing at the end of season 1901. This was therefore my last cricket season.

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My autobiography continued. Old Ebor's Opinion of the Author. The following talk is reproduced by permission from Old Ebor's, Mr. Pullen's book on Old English Cricketers. R.G. Barlow. The writer seriously doubts if there is a man living so thoroughly devoted to cricket as R.G. Barlow. Cricket is not merely Barlow's profession, it is his one object in life. He lives, as it were, in an atmosphere of cricket. All his surroundings are reminiscent of bat and ball. You immediately identify his residence, Glenmay, Rakes Parade, Blackpool, by the cricketer's armorial bearings above the doorway. Baton wickets in terracotta. In the vestibule door, you see a coloured glass representation of Mr. A. N. Hornby and the owner of the house at the wicket, and of the late Richard Pilling in the act of keeping wickets.

The hall lamp reflects the name of A. G. Steele and other famous cricketers. In the front sitting-room, a new and practical version of cricket on the hearth is given by a representation of Lord Sheffield's ground. In coloured tiles, with portraits, also in tiles, of Mr. Hornby and Barlow on the one side, and Pilling on the other. Throughout the house is a profusion of cricket portraits and sketches, for when on cricketing tours abroad, Barlow made it his practice to obtain photographs of nearly all the principal places he visited, and players he became acquainted with. Cricket trophies and presents innumerable, mementos of great performances on the field, are tastefully displayed. But what Barlow probably most values is the array of bats which hang on the bathroom wall.

With one of these, now broken-faced and splintered, he scored over 4,000 runs. In 1882, he played six times, threw in innings with it. He has taken it with him round the world. And when in its present battered condition, he scored 44 runs with it at Melbourne against Victoria. No wonder, therefore, that Barlow thinks it a record bat. It is not possible to do justice to Barlow's career, or to produce more than a tithe of his voluminous reminiscences within the compass of this talk. The famous Lancashire cricketer has gone through the world with his wits about him. He has, during his career, collected material from which a most interesting book could be written. At present, he is half inclined to put this material to its legitimate use.

The other half of the inclination will probably soon be forthcoming. What Barlow did in first-class cricket, from his initiation down to his retirement in 1891, a period of 21 years, it is not the writer's province to narrate in detail. To do so would involve the publication of a vast array of figures, and statistics are not talks. It must be sufficient to state that he had 388 innings for Lancashire, scored 8,092 runs with an average of 20.6 per innings. In bowling, he took 754 wickets for 9,986 runs, an average cost of 13.2 per wicket. If all the counties he played against were classified first class as now, he would have the record of over 12,000 runs and more than 1,000 wickets. Barlow had made three trips with English cricket teams to Australia.

The first was with Shaw, Shrewsbury and Lilywhite's team in 1881-1882. The second with the Onn Ivo Bly's team in 1882-1883. And the third, with the team organised by the Triumvirate first named in 1886-1887. Beyond all other recollections of these trips across the water, an experience on shipboard with the On Ivo Bly's team has impressed itself most vividly on Barlow's mind. There was a collision at sea, which, as by a stroke of providence, Just escaped adding a ghastly contribution to the great wrecks that mark the pathways of British maritime commerce, and form the price of admiralty of which Woodyard Kipling so stirringly sings. The journey out on the Peshawar was interesting and pleasant enough up to a certain point.

It enabled the team to see the effects of the bombardment of Alexandria. Their ship was the first to call there after the war, and Bates, Barlow and others Found the opportunity to go on shore and see the havoc wrought four months earlier by the Alexandra, the Monarch, the Invincible, the Penelope, the Condor, and other mighty engines of naval warfare. It was a grand sight, says Barlow, when he now recalls it, from which the reader will assume that the ruin was great. On shipboard, Barlow showed his athletic versatility by carrying off the first prizes for the hundred-yard scratch race, the hurdle race, And the egg and spoon race, besides being second in the high jump. The trip, in short, was pleasantness itself, until one night on the open sea, a big black hull with sails full set to breeze shot suddenly out of the gloom and crashed amidships into the Peshawar.

Then came terror, confusion, despair, and after all, a great thankfulness. But Barlow must tell this thrilling experience himself. We were about 350 miles out of Columbo, and had not seen another ship. It was Sunday night, about nine o'clock, and church service had just concluded. I was looking over the side of our vessel, in company with W.W. Reid, Fred and Wally, and others of our party, when I saw in the near distance a full-rigged ship coming before a brisk breeze straight towards us. I looked a moment, then exclaimed, My word, she's coming too near to be pleasant. There's going to be an accident if they don't mind. I had scarcely got the words out of my mouth when the prow of the vessel crashed into our steamer near the engine room, tearing her plates and leaving an ugly gap large enough to drive a coach and pair through.

Then she sheered off and lay to. What my sensations were I cannot describe. Inwardly, I bade everyone at home good-bye. Ladies were fainting and praying. Passengers and crew rushed hurriedly about, while a captain called calmly for the boats. I seized and donned a life-belt. Others did the same. The life-boat and other small boats were launched, and preparations were made to leave, as it was thought, the sinking ship. But the ship was not sinking. By the mercy of Providence, the great Trent in her side stopped about half a yard above the water-line. The sea, too, was as calm as a mill-pond, and remained so during the four days that it took us to put back to Columbo. We had four hundred souls on board.

The sea was infested with sharks, and one shudders even now to think what would have happened had the blow gone below the water-line, or had the collision occurred in a stormy sea. The ship that collided with us was the Glenroy, about 1,500 tonnes burthen. And we towed her back to Columbo. We were detained there nearly a week for repairs. A vote was taken by the passengers as to whether we should wait for the ship to be made seaworthy again, or go by another boat, and we decided to wait. The collision practically finished poor Fred Morley. He had several ribs broken when the Glenroy struck us, but the nature of his injuries was not known until we got to Melbourne. One day, I found him crying like a child in his bedroom.

When asked what the reason was, he said, I don't know what's the matter with me, but there's something seriously wrong somewhere. I spoke to Mr. Bly, and he had morely examined, with the results that the fracture of the ribs was discovered. We missed his bowling sadly during the tour, but the effect was much worse than that. The accident laid the seeds of a fatal illness. Morley did not live long after his return to England. The Columbo experience was not the only narrow escape Farlow had. On the 1881 trip, we had been out to supper across the river at Sydney, and being detained, just missed our boat. It was moving off when we reached the wharf. We were annoyed at our ill luck, but that boat never reached its destination.

It was split open in a collision and sent to the bottom, and several of those on board found a watery grave. I think Providence must have been watching over us on that occasion also. In his three trips to Australia, Barlow never missed a match. That is to say, he played in every game in which the three teams took part. It is probable that no other Anglo-Australian cricketer can say the same. In one of the last matches, he hurt his foot badly and had a man to run for him. He wished to be able to say that he had played in all matches, otherwise he would have stood out. The 1881 trip was made via San Francisco. It was there that a celebrated baseball pitcher pitched the team out for a small score in the first innings.

The late Ed Peet and George Uliott, in their talks, mentioned that in the second innings, So far from objecting to the style of the pitcher, they hoped he would be kept on throughout, and the pitcher nearly pitched his arm off, while Ulyatt and Barlow were making 166 runs. Of that incident, Barlow says, Ulyatt and I took 20 half-crowns to one that we would not put 100 on in the second innings before we were parted. We won the bet easily enough. Before I left, the score was 166. On that tour, when at Sydney, playing against the combined eleven of Australia, there was another curious batting success. When Ulyatt and I went in to open the second innings, George said, Now Dick, I'll be Mr. Hornby.

Let's see if we can't put a hundred on before we are parted. Right, said I, we will. And we did. The score was 122 when the first wicket fell. Ulyatt made 67, and myself 62. The first eleven-a-side match I played in, in Australia, commenced on December 9th, 1881, against New South Wales, and I was batting for about four hours for 75, the top figure on our side. As I was walking back to the pavilion, a gentleman stepped over the rails, and with ceremonious politeness handed me an old cricket belt with the remark, I thought we had the champion sticker in Alec Bannerman, but you in the belt. Take it. I took it and have it to this day. Barlow considers his best bowling feat in Australia was at Sydney on January 30, 1883, when England won the rubber.

The Australians had to go in at the finish to score 153 to win the match. Barlow and Morley were the bowlers. Alec Bannerman and G Giffen had 20 minutes batting against them overnight, and not a run could be scored. The next day, Murdoch and his men were got out for 83, and England won by 69 runs. Barlow's analysis worked out the following remarkable figures. 34.2 overs, 20 maidens, 40 runs, 7 wickets. For this feat, says Barlow, I was presented with a silver cup and other mementos. And some enthusiastic admirers of the old country carried me shoulder-high off the ground, and collected over £20 for me. This was very kind of them, though the chairing business is rather embarrassing. Of the famous seven runs defeat of England by Australia at the Oval on August 29, 1882, Barlow has an explanation which has not previously been given to the world.

He says, But in my opinion, they ought not to have had even so many as eighty-five to get. Mr. Hornby was our captain, and we went out in my judgment a bit too soon on the second day. The ground was wet, and Pete and I could not stand while the ball was like soap. I had to get the groundsman to fetch a spade to get the mud out of the bowling holes, so that I could fill them up with sawdust. In the first innings of the match, my analysis was 31 overs, 22 maidens, 19 runs, 5 wickets. In the second, 27 runs were hit off me, and I could not get a wicket. I ground my teeth with vexation time and time again, and if ever I swore in a match, to myself, it was then. There was some nervousness on the English side at the finish, but I was not nervous, even though Spofforth did bowl me for a duck.

This match, by the way, enables me to make a statement, not boastfully, but as a fact of interest. I was selected to both bat and bowl first for England, also for the players versus gentlemen the same year. This is what no other representative English cricketer has been called upon to do in England. Next to Alf Shaw, I am entitled to say I have cleaned bowled Dr. Grace more frequently than any other bowler did up to 1895. The feat, I may tell you, is richly coveted by bowlers, for WG was such a champion. In 1888 at Liverpool, I bowled him twice for four in the first innings and 16 in the second. I remember that in this match, a gentleman who had come from Manchester to see the match bet me a new hat to a shilling after I had bowled WG in the first innings, as I did not repeat the feat in the second.

I took the bet and won it. Most cricketers have good umpiring stories to tell when they can think of them. This of Barlow's is one of the best.

The 1886-1887 team to Australia played against 22 of Cootamundra on November 29th and 30th of the former year. The mayor of the place stood as one of the umpires. One of the local batsmen hit the ball to Johnny Briggs at cover point, and he, whipping it back with his usual deftness and accuracy to Sherwin, The other batsman who had thrown in his bat was easily run out. But he made no effort to go, though Sherwin said, Out, my dear fellow, out! No one had dreamed of appealing to the umpire, but at last we did so. All the answer that could be got from his worship was, Damn good bit of field in that, wasn't it? This novel reply produced a convulsion of merriment, and Shaw generously allowed the batsman to have another innings.

Barlow formerly had an athletic business at Manchester. One day, when in that establishment, a man came up and asked him if he kept a full supply of cricket requisites. Certainly, was the response. Then, gravely demanded the man, wrap me up a bottle of arnica, a paper of cork plaster, and an arm sling. I'm going to play in a cricket match this afternoon against Jack Crossland. Here is another good Crossland story. Some years ago at Nantwich, Mr. Hornby's eleven were playing against a local eighteen. Crossland was bowling, and on one of the local batsmen coming in, the first ball struck him on the knee. The next hit his finger. The batsman dropped his bat and walked away to the pavilion. "'You're not out,' was the remark made to him as he left.

"'No,' was the reply. "'But I know if I stop there, I shall soon be out, so I'm off.' And off he went." In 1878, in the Lancashire vs Yorkshire match at Huddersfield, Bates was bowling to me, and he would have Hall to field close in at Silly Mid-On. He told the Batleyman to get in. Barlow won't hurt you. Before long, Bates gave me one that I let go at, and the ball hit Hall full on the head. Louis spun round like a top and dropped. I thought I'd killed him. Fortunately, the injury was not so serious as it looked, but Hall said he would not field at Silly Midon again, either for me or anyone else. As a set-off to this, I may say that in 1888, poor George Uliott caught me close in, off Peel at point.

He seemed to take the ball almost off the edge of the bat. In the second innings, Happy Jack again came close in, so I remarked, Now, George, I should not like to kill you. I shall be hitting one very hard to the off if one comes that way. Well, Dick, was the reply, if you do, I shall be the first that you've killed by hard hitting. However, in the next over, Ulyatt brought off another catch almost off the bat, and I retired with the remark. You're my master this match, George. Against Leicestershire, I once went through in innings for twenty-nine, compiled in about three hours. There was a dinner and a jollification at night. A few minutes afterwards, one of the speakers said he did not know whether I had sung that song with a special meaning, but after the innings of that day, he could give an assurance that they were not likely to forget me.

W.G. Grace has never captured a pair in first-class cricket. Richard Barlow can make the same boast, but he admits he has been very near it. And adds that Dr. W.G. Grace ought to have had the specs once in a match, England versus Australia, at the Oval. He got a cipher in the first innings, and was missed easily at points before scoring in the second. Cricketers well know that Mr. Hornby and Barlow had a weakness for running each other out. As bearing on these little escapades, Barlow is fond of telling the following stories. I remember walking round the ground in one of the matches against Middlesex at Old Trafford, and overhearing a conversation between two Lancashire men. Said one of them, Tom, who dost like to see Bat?

Oh, I like to see Hornby and Barla. Ah, I can do with Mr. Hornby, only he's too keen and runs Barla out. I'm all on the fidgets when he's there. People used to bet pretty freely too on the probability that one of us would run the other out. There was one curious instance at Old Trafford. Two olden men were talking together, and one of them said, Jim, dust knows who's won't toss. Aye, Bill, Lancashire has done it. All right, then. I'll see Tau Boss Bat, and when he gets out, I'll go in town till lunchtime. I'll tack two bobs to one as bar as in when I come back. The bet was taken, and at lunchtime I was not out. A friend of mine who had heard the previous conversation saw the man return. And went up to hear what he had to say.

After considering the matter over in his mind for a few minutes, the olden man said, "'Come now, you lads. I'll tack another bet of five bob to one that they won't get Barla out today.' He again won his rash bet, for at 6.30 I was not out for 103. One item more, and this desultory talk must close. In 1889, we had here at Blackpool, The most extraordinary exhibition of cricket I have ever seen. It was a match, Barlow's 11 vs 22 of Blackpool. My team included Mr. A.N. Hornby, Mr. J. Eccles, Frank Sugg, F. Hearn, G.G. Hearn, Power, Albert Ward, Watson, Pilling, Nash and myself. We were all out for 15 runs, and this to local bowling. Nevertheless, we won the match, which was the most exciting one.

Barlow's batting and bowling averages for Lancashire during 15 of his best seasons. Batting 1871 18.1 1875 38.8 Best for the county. 1876, 20.4. 1877, 18.15. 1878, 21.11. 1879. Best for the county this season. 18.1. Best for the county this season. 18.84. 18.9. 18.85. 30.1. Best for the county this season. 18.86. 19.2, 1887, 20.13, 1889, 31.18, 1890, 21.8. Bowling 1871 10.5 Best for the county this season 1873 10.1 1875 15.2 1878 18.79, 10.21, best for the county this season. 18.80, 11.4. 18.81, 9.14, best for the county this season. 18.82, 9.61, best for the county this season. 18.83, 13.59. 18.84, 10.24. Best for the county this season. 1885, 15.24. 1886, 11.83. 1887, 16.29. 1888, 13.21. 1889, 9.8.

Best for the county this season. All the above are first class, except the bowling for 1889. Which is for all Lancashire matches during that season.

I was first in batting in England in 1875, with an average of 38.8, first-class cricket. In 1885, I was ninth on the list with 29.4. In bowling, I was second in England, to Alfred Shaw in 1880, with an average per wicket of 10.29. In 1881, In 1884, I was fourth, with an average per wicket of 10.82. In 1883, I was eighth, with an average per wicket of 15.7. In 1884, I was ninth, with an average per wicket of 15.3. In 1886, I was seventh, with an average per wicket of 14.55. RG Barlow's averages during the three Australian Tours. Shaw's team, 1881-1882. Third in batting, first class matches, 30.1. Second in batting, all matches, 26.13. Fifth in bowling, first class matches, 29.2. Fifth in bowling, all matches, 8.13, including the few matches in America.

Ullatt, Yorkshire, Bates, Yorkshire, and RG Barlow were the only three to get 1,000 runs with the bat on this tour. On Ivo Bly's team, 1882-1883. Third in batting, first class matches, 28.1. Third in bowling, first class matches, 18.3. Shaw and Shrewsbury's team, 1886-1887. Fifth in batting. The following is from the Manchester Evening News of January 18, 1907. A correspondent writes, leaves R.G. Barlow of Blackpool, the celebrated stonewaller of cricket, the sole survivor of a powerful combination of notable players who toured America, Australia, and New Zealand under Shaw's captaincy, exactly a quarter of a century ago. It may be interesting to recall their names. They were Alfred Shaw, Arthur Shrewsbury, W.

Scotton and J. Selby, Knott's. George Ullott, W. Bates, Tom Emmett and E. Peete, Yorkshire, W. Midwinter, Gloucestershire, and R. Pilling and R. G. Barlow, Lancashire, with J. Lillywight, Sussex, as umpire. A generation ago, these names were most familiar in cricket circles throughout both hemispheres, but today the only one still alive is R. G. Barlow, to whom also belongs the melancholy distinction of being the sole survivor of the quartet of professionals. who comprised part of the On Ivo Bly's team during the Australian tour of 1882 to 1883. During the three tours, I played in every match. The following is a complete list of the matches in which I carried my bat through the innings. In the three matches marked with an asterisk, I went in to bat at the fall of the first wicket.

St. George's School vs All Saints in Bolton Park. St. George's School v. All Saints in Bolton Park, 33 in 1863. Staveley Works CC v. Selston at Staveley, 14 in 1867. Moulders v. Officials at Staveley, 26 in 1868. Mount St. Mary College v. Sheffield Wednesday Club at Spinkhill, 101 in 1869. R.G. Barlow's team versus G. Hayes' team at Staveley, 27 in 1869. Chesterfield versus Sheffield Wednesday Club at Bramall Lane, Sheffield, 52 in 1870. Staveley versus Chesterfield at Chesterfield, 58 in 1870. Mr. T. Spencer's team versus Mr. J. Nicholson's team at Staveley, 36 in 1870. Bramley versus Dudley Hill at Bramley. 53 in 1871. Salter v.

Baeldon Green at Baeldon. 41 in 1874. Lancashire vs. Kent at Moat Park, 26 in 1874. Lancashire vs. Leicestershire at Manchester, 66 in 1875. Baledon Green vs. Morley at Baledon, 50 in 1875. Saltaire vs. Harrogate at Saltaire, 115 in 1875. Saltaire vs. Bradford Albion at Saltaire, 55 in 1875. Players vs. Gentlemen at Prince's This is Ground London, 45 in 1876. Lancashire vs Nottinghamshire at Nottingham, 34 in 1876. Saltaire vs Spen Victoria at Spen near Bradford, 9.

Mr. W. Jarvis' team at Renishaw. George Kay's team vs R.G. Barlow's team at Staveley.

Lancashire vs MCC at Lourdes. Chesterfield vs. Derby Midland at Chesterfield, 77 in 1879. United North of England vs. 18 of Leeds & District at Leeds, 41 in 1879. Renishaw vs. Manvers, Maine at Manvers, Maine, 42 in 1880. Rotherham vs. Chesterfield at Chesterfield, 25 in 1880. Rishton, near Blackburn vs. Enfield at Rishton. 45 in 1880. Nelson versus Burnley at Burnley. 63 in 1880. Lancashire versus Yorkshire at Manchester. 10 in 1880. Staveley versus Brimmington at Staveley. 52 in 1882. A. Shores, England 11 versus 22 of Orange in Australia. 60 in 1882. Lancashire versus Australians at Manchester. Lancashire vs. Notts at Nottingham.

Lancashire vs. Notts at Liverpool.

Lancashire vs.

Gloucestershire at Clifford. . Ashores English Team vs. Australia at Sydney, 42 in 1886. Ramsbottom vs. Church at Church, Accrington, 49 in 1888. Moss Lane CC vs. Mr. J. Lyons Team, Old Trafford, 37 in 1889. Lancashire vs. Leicestershire at Leicester, 29 in 1889. Lancashire vs. Kent at Maidstone. Lancashire v Surrey at the Oval. Lancashire v Knott at Old Trafford. Mr. McLeod's team versus a Buxton 11 at Buxton, 43 in 1892. Royton versus Paddyham at Royton, 25 in 1892. Royton versus Milneau at Royton, 26 in 1893. Royton vs. Radcliffe at Radcliffe, 13 in 1894. Dr. Ferguson's team vs. Burnley St. Andrews at Burnley, 60 in 1894. Royton vs. Littleborough at Littleborough, 12 in 1895. Royton vs. Darwin, 9 men at Royton, 50 in 1895.

Royton vs. Walsdon at Walsdon, 51 in 1895. Running short runs. 1889. Lancashire v Sussex at Manchester. Sussex did not enjoy the barefaced way in which Mr. Hornby and Barlow stole runs on the first day of their match, and the wild way in which several of the southerners shied at the wicket would have disgraced a four-year-old. The climax was reached when Harry Phillips knocked down Panta the umpire, who would remember the little incident when he came to sit down to tea. V-Day Press. An interesting competition. In 1886, the cricket and football field held a competition, offering a prize for the selection of a team to represent the North of England against the Australians at Manchester on May 31st and following days of that year.

The award was to be made according to the voting of the competitors, and the following is the list which received the prize. With the number of votes which were given to each player. It will be seen that I headed the list with 781 votes. R.G. Barlow, Lancashire, 781. J. Briggs, Lancashire, 777. G. Ulyatt, Yorkshire, 761. E. Peete, Yorkshire, 682. A.N. Hornby, Lancashire, 673. A. Shrewsbury, Nottingham. W.

Barnes, Nottingham. W. Bates, Nottingham. W. Scotten, Nottingham, 540. A.G. Steele, Lancashire, 454. It will be of interest to my readers to give the names composing the team which was selected by the Lancashire County Committee to meet the Australians on this occasion, and a glance at this list proves that the cricket-loving public are not far out of their reckoning and have a very fair idea of the merits of the different players.

A. Shrewsbury, Nottingham. R. Pilling, Lancashire. W. Bates, Yorkshire. A. Watson, Lancashire. W. Gunn, Nottingham. J. Preston, Yorkshire. The match ended in a draw.

6 05 - My Autobiography concluded 19:42

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

My autobiography continued. The author is a footballer. I have been interested in association football all my life, and was, for many a years, a player. For several years, there were four brothers of us playing for the Staveley Football Club. And I was keeping goal for them when Staveley won the Sheffield Association Challenge Cup at Sheffield in 1880. The two final clubs were Staveley and Healy, the latter a strong Sheffield club at that time. Staveley won by three goals to one. The late Jack Hunter, the old Blackburn Rovers player and trainer, played against us in this match, and Mr., now Sir W.E. Clegg, brother to the present Chairman of the Football Association, was one of the linesmen. If I remember rightly, the Lancashire Association Challenge Cup was first played for in 1879-1880, when Darwin won it.

Stavely being the winners of the Sheffield Cup for the same season, two matches were arranged between the two clubs, the first at Stavely and the return match at Darwin. Both matches ended in a draw. I played on each occasion. And remember that the forwards gave me plenty of work in goal at Darwin. I considered that we had done very well to play two drawn games with Darwin, as they were in those days a very fine team. I also kept goal a few years later for the North against South at Sheffield. Jay Brown of Blackburn Rovers fame played centre-forward in this match in first-class style. He was one of the best players of his day. And it would be difficult to find his equal, even at the present time.

He was almost on a par with Mr. W. N. Cobbold of the Corinthians. I was also goalkeeper for a few years for the Manchester FC at the time their ground was situated at Wally Range, Brooks Bar, near the old rugby football ground. The Manchester Press in 1879 said, That most popular of Lancashire professional cricketers, has come to reside in Manchester and has joined the only association football club in Cottonopolis. He kept goal remarkably well last Saturday at Blackburn and proves, as in cricket, a most stubborn defender. Barlow at goal and Mr. Hornby at full-back wouldn't be a bad pair at the association game.

Not many are aware that I have represented my county at football. But such is the case, as I played for Lancashire against Ayrshire at Darwin about the year 1884. The following is the team which played for Lancashire in this match, which unfortunately we lost. R.G. Barlow, goal. W. Traynor and Mather, backs. W.H. Latham and F. Hargreaves, half-backs. J. Hargreaves, R. Horne, J. Brown, W.M. Brown, T. Bentley and J. Lonsdale, forwards.

I took to refereeing for some years, and acted in that capacity at Preston in 1887 in the English Cup tie when Preston North End made the record score in these matches of 26 goals to none against Hyde, and I may say that had the Hyde goalkeeper not been in good form, North End would have materially increased their score. I have never seen such splendid passing and shooting in my life. The old Preston North End team would, in my opinion, Be at least two goals better than any team in the field at the present day.

Football has made some startling changes since the days when I fought in the Cup ties, and I could write, if necessary, at some length on football of today as compared with 30 years ago.

When I had finished my county cricket days for Lancashire, several other counties wished me to qualify and play for them. And one county offered me a three years' engagement on very favourable terms. But I always said that I would never play for any county but the one of my birth. I therefore took to umpiring, and have to thank Mr. A. N. Hornby and a few others of the Lancashire County Committee for nominating me and getting me placed on the list of county umpires. I have been engaged each season ever since. In conclusion, I don't think that any cricketer has enjoyed his cricketing career better than I have done, and if I had my time to come over again, I should certainly be what I have been all my life, a professional cricketer.

I am only sorry that my long innings in first-class cricket will soon be drawing to a close.

I might state that I was the first to introduce the rubber-faced gauntlets to which I put the late Richard Pilling's name along with my own. Messers, Page & Co., cricket accessories manufacturers, late of Kennington Park Road, London, paid us a royalty on the sales. After a few years, however, something went wrong, and we lost our rights in them. I was also the first to bring out the single-strap leg guards. I sold my rights in these to Mr. J. Vickers, manufacturer of Bolton. Another idea of my own was the removable cricket spikes, Which could be changed in a few minutes, to suit either condition of the ground. But somehow or other, they did not take on very well. The objection to them, I believe, lay in the time occupied in changing.

But I used them for years, as did many of my colleagues, and we always found them very satisfactory.

Remuneration. The remuneration I received for my services on the three Australian tours was as follows. With the Shaw and Shrewsbury team of 1881 to 1882, the sum of £220. With the On Ivo Bly's team of 1882 to 1883, I received the sum of £220 from the Melbourne Cricket Club, who were the promoters of this tour. But with the Shaw and Shrewsbury team of 1886 to 1887, I received £320. All first-class expenses were paid in each case. I may mention here that I had an offer about the year 1884 from Major Wardle of the Melbourne CC to go out to Australia as cricket coach to the Melbourne Club. I also had a good offer from the Brisbane, Queensland CC in 1883, but I could not see my way to leave Old England.

Head Bowling. Lancashire vs Surrey, 1885. On ground like the pavement of a racket court, Barlow's bowling today at the Oval was a really fine example of the bowler's skill. With a perpetual variation of pace and pitch, he kept the batsman constantly on the defensive, and the ball with which he bowled W. W. Reid, thereby in all probability saving Lancashire a hundred runs. was a perfect specimen of that exact mean between a length to play forward and one to play back, which still remains the most difficult ball a batsman has to meet. Till Barlow was tired out, the game seemed to be in favour of Lancashire, but afterward, the want of another change bowler was severely felt, and Mr. Alan Steele would have been invaluable.

Surrey won this very exciting match by one wicket. V-Day Press.

Dr. Grace and R.G.B. The champion, in his book on cricket, gives a lengthy list of cricketers whom I have met. The notices are in the main genial and appreciative, but there is one conspicuous exception, and that is the doctor's treatment of R.G. Barlow. Now, we should probably be accurate in asserting that Dr. Grace, for many years, must have met Barlow almost as frequently as he met any English cricketer. And that he must have had reason on many of these occasions to admire his great abilities, both with the bat and the ball. And yet, in cricket, he dismisses the famous Lancashire professional with a shorter notice than he bestows upon that illustrious cricketer, Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein, and not one-third the length of his account of Edward Barrett, who was a third-rate bowler and a tenth-rate bat, late of Surrey.

In fact, If Barlow's reputation as a cricketer depended on the record in Dr. Grace's book, he would be remembered merely as one who has been an exceedingly useful all-round player for East County, and has both batted and bowled with success for the players versus gentlemen. The doctor has something rather ungenerous to say about Barlow's slowness in scoring. We are all acquainted with Barlow's style. And although we have often found it rather tedious, yet we have reflected that it was a style deliberately adopted by a consummate master of the game, and one that on occasions innumerable has been found to be of immense value to his side. Moreover, we know that on many occasions Barlow has shown that he can hit hard and with great judgment, as well as defend his wicket with conspicuous skill.

Fifty times he has carried his bat right through the innings, and who shall estimate the value of that prolonged and stubborn defence which worries out a bowler almost as much as a succession of boundary hits? Mr. A. G. Steele, we imagine, recognised the value of Barlow's style in the great England v. Australia match in 1884 at Lourdes, when Grace, Lucas and Lord Harris and Olyott and Shrewsbury Had done nothing particularly brilliant, and a follow-on seemed probable. At a very critical stage of the game, Barlow went in, with orders to stop the rot, and he did stop it. The two famous Lancashire players, amateur and professional, obtained the complete mastery over the bowling of Spofforth and Palmer and Giffen, and Barlow's steadiness came in for its due recognition.

In 1881, this rather mediocre cricketer As Dr. Grace evidently regards him, clean bowled the champion Mr. Hornby and Mr. Lucas in the gentlemen versus players match for 27 runs. In 1882, he was at the top of the tree, both in batting and bowling, for Lancashire. He had a splendid average in his Australian tour, and was pronounced by the editor of Wisden's Almanac to be fairly entitled to be reckoned the best all-round cricketer in England. Dr. Grace admits that Barlow bowls a good length. How often that good length has been fatal to the big wicket, it would perhaps be ungenerous to inquire too closely, but we may safely make the general statement that Barlow has got the champion's wicket as often and as cheaply as any bowler he ever met, even in the very zenith of his fame.

Our object in this brief retrospect has been to supply what seems to us An obvious deficiency in a much-lauded book, and we believe the doctor himself will readily admit he has not done justice to a player who has been one of the chosen representatives of his country, both at home and abroad, and who has done at least as much to raise the cricketing fame of what has been, and what will be again, the foremost of counties as any other professional that has appeared in its ranks. Manchester Guardian.

Apropos of the above. It will doubtless be interesting to give my readers the occasions, thirty-one in number, on which I was the means of bringing about the dismissal from the wicket of the great W.G. Naturally, I feel gratified at being able to show such a record, especially when it is remembered that this occurred at the time when this hero of cricket was at his very best. 1877, North vs. South at Hull. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Emmett, Bold Barlow, Second over I bowled. 1878. Gentlemen vs. Players at the Oval. Dr. W. G. Grace. Leg before wicket. Bowled Barlow, 63. Second over I bowled. 1880. Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Clifton. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Nash, Bold Barlow, 106. 1880. United 11 of England vs.

18 of Bedminster, with Drs. W.G. and E.M. Grace at Bedminster. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Pooley, Bold Barlow, 6. Second innings, Bold Barlow, 10. 1881. Gentlemen vs. Players at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, Two. 1882 Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Clifton. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 86. 1883 Gentlemen vs Players at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 14. 1883 Lancashire vs MCC at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace, Court Hay, Bold Barlow, Zero. 1883, North versus South at the Oval. Dr. W. G. Grace, Court Disney, Bold Barlow, one. Second innings, Bold Barlow, seven. 1884 Lancashire v MCC at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace. Court Watson, Bold Barlow, 14. 1884 Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Manchester.

Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 53. 1884 Gentlemen vs Players at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 21. 1884. Gentlemen vs. Players at the Oval. Dr. W.G. Grace. Court Olyott. Bold Barlow. 66. 1884. Lancashire vs. Gloucestershire at Clifton. Dr. W.G. Grace. 1885. Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Clifton. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 49. 1886. Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Clifton. Dr. W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 23. 1887, Lancashire v. MCC at Lourdes. Dr. W. G. Grace, Court and Bold Barlow, One. 1887, Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Manchester. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Hornby, Bold Barlow, 41. 1887 Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Dr W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 23. 1888 Lancashire v Gloucestershire at Gloucester.

Dr W. G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 1. Lancashire vs Gloucestershire at Liverpool. Dr. W.G. Grace, Bold Barlow, four. Second innings, Bold Barlow, 16. 1888 North vs South at Hastings. Dr. W.G. Grace, Bold Barlow, 44. In the following five cases, I caught Dr. Grace while fielding at my usual position at point. 1879, North versus South at the Oval. Dr. W.G. Grace. Court Barlow bowled Morley, 21. 1880. Lancashire v. Gloucestershire and Manchester. Dr. W.G. Grace. Court Barlow bowled A.G. Steele, 3. 1882. Gentlemen v. Players at Lourdes. Dr. W.G. Grace. Court Barlow bowled Bates, 4. 1882. Lancashire v. Gloucestershire and Manchester. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Barlow, Bold A.G. Steele, 9. 1883, Lancashire v.

Gloucestershire, Manchester. Dr. W.G. Grace, Court Barlow, Bold Nash, 13. The Sole Survivor. A correspondent to the Standard draws attention to the interesting circumstance that now that Alfred Shaw has passed away, there is only one representative living. R. G. Barlow, of the eleven players who took part in the annual match, Gentlemen vs. Players, at Lourdes in July 1880. On the other hand, the gentlemen's team is still complete. At least, no obituary notice of any one of them has appeared in any of the cricket annuals since that date. It is remarkable, adds the writer, how many of the leading professionals of 25 years ago passed away in middle life. The names of the players who took part in the above-named match were W.

Oscroft-Knotts, W. Barnes-Knotts, J. Selby-Knotts, A. Shaw-Knotts, W. Scotton-Knotts, F. Moore-Locker, I close my autobiography. By quoting a tribute to my defensive methods from the Manchester Guardian. An eloquent appreciation of the valour displayed by the Manchester Regiment during the siege of Ladysmith is contained in an article published by the Morning Post from its correspondent, Mr. John Stewart, who incidentally also pays a pretty compliment to our esteemed townsman, Mr. R. G. Barlow, the famous stonewaller of international cricket fame. Says Mr. Stewart, It is a great thing to make a regiment that will charge any place on earth. It is a greater thing to have made a regiment that will sit tight like the Manchester under heavy shell fire, cracking porky little North Country jokes that somehow recall the brave days of Hornby and Barlow and William McIntyre and the Crossland throwing controversy.

A regiment that won't blaze into the brown unless the brown is worth hitting. Privates who will take calm, deliberate aim when anything can be seen that looks like the enemy. Do you remember Dr. Grace's story about an eleven of Barlows, and not one of them out? Well, the Manchesters are a regiment of Barlows, and they can open their shoulders when the bowling gets loose. Good luck to them always. You will find regiments as good, but you will go far before you find a better.

7 06 - Umpiring Stories 10:52

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Umpire Stories The following humorous incident occurred during a match at Staveley. The umpire was a Mr. Riley, and his son, one of the players, was the first batsman. The second ball of the match, a very good ball, took young Riley's wickets. When, to the surprise of everybody, the umpire called, "'Nut out! Bowl that ball over again! I did not see the particular pitch!' After this the young batsman made twenty-two runs, which of course highly pleased the old gentleman. To this day I can picture the expression of disgust on the bowler's face, but the other players had a good laugh over the little incident.

The fallibility of the local umpire is illustrated by the following incident, which happened at a Lancashire League match, Royton vs. Radcliffe, played at Radcliffe some years ago. I was bowling to one of the Radcliffe batsmen, who hit the ball back smartly. It struck the umpire, and then continued on its way some few yards further. The batsman seized the opportunity for a short run, but I fielded the ball and threw the wicket down. And the batsman was run out some yards. The umpire, without any appeal having been made, called, Not out! The ball was dead after hitting me. This impromptu decision was greeted with much laughter, after which I told him he was entirely wrong, and advised him to read the laws of cricket well over before he went out umpiring again.

UMPIRING AS IT WAS In a Lancashire County match in the year 1888, Our umpire had given one or two decisions which had not suited some of our opponents, and at lunchtime their umpire was overheard to say that he would try and get straight with his rival before the match was over. We had not resumed play long after lunch, when he gave me run out. I must say that this was a most unfair decision, as I was right up to the wicket when given out. I spoke to him about it after the match, and we had a few words. In those days, each county had its own umpire, who travelled about with the team. As I have mentioned in another place, all this is now altered, and a very good thing too. County umpires are selected annually by the county captains at Lord's.

Consequently, present-day umpires are neutral, and strict impartiality is assured.

A good umpire for his side. On the occasion of a match at Oldham in 1879, One of our players having a bad finger asked if he might umpire, which was agreed to. The bowler, on bowling his first ball, appealed for LBW, calling out, How's that? How's what? retorted our umpire. He's only just come in. You get on with your bowling. After this appeal, the batsman put on twenty runs, thus helping his side to win the match. The umpire, whose name I will not divulge, Afterwards told me that conscientiously speaking the batsman was out, as the ball was dead on the leg stump all the way. This same umpire resides near to me in Blackpool, and we were discussing this match only recently.

Umpire's Remarkable Accident At a match in which I was playing at Burley, Yorkshire in the 70s, we had for one of the umpires a man with a wooden leg. Whilst this umpire was standing at short leg, The batsman hit a ball with great force in his direction. The umpire was unable to get out of the way quickly enough, and the ball struck his wooden leg, snapping it in halves like a carrot. The man whose support was thus suddenly knocked from under him immediately toppled over, and some of the players had to pick him up and bear him away to the pavilion from whence he was sent home in a cab. We were sorry for the poor fellow. But could not help feeling amused at this very peculiar accident. I am pleased to be able to add that the umpire was not hurt by his adventure.

An Umpiring Match In the early seventies, I remember playing at Bramley near Leeds, and as our umpire did not turn up, we decided to wait a little for him. After waiting for some little time, the umpire for the other side, an elderly gentleman, Came into our dressing room and proposed that he should umpire at both ends. He explained that he knew how to proceed, as he had done the same thing before. We received this unique proposal with an outburst of laughter. One of our players then volunteered to umpire for us, saying that he was not feeling well, and that he thought he would be of more benefit to his side by umpiring than by playing. We accordingly played a man short, and won the match as a matter of course.

We concluded that our umpire was about equal to the other in ability, but neither of them knew any more about umpiring than the man in the moon, and each gave several bad decisions.

An umpire caught napping. This humorous occurrence took place at a match in which I was umpiring at Taunton many years ago, Somersetshire v. and concerns my fellow umpire. He lived, like myself, a great distance away, and had been travelling all through the previous night in order to reach the ground in time for the match, and had had no sleep. The first day was very hot, and this, combined with loss of sleep, made the poor fellow exceedingly drowsy, and at times, as he stood at his post, he found it almost impossible to keep his eyes open. At one point in the game, about four o'clock in the afternoon, He was just dropping off into a doze, when the wicket-keeper suddenly startled him into wakefulness by appealing for stumping.

Pulling himself together, he promptly replied, Not out. At the close of play, the wicket-keeper came up to him and said, That was a very near thing, wasn't it, when I appealed? Yes, replied the umpire, you're right, it was, but I thought I'd give the batsman the benefit of the doubt. The funniest part of the story lies in the fact that my friend had really been caught napping, and when the appeal was made, had seen neither the ball bowled nor taken by the wicket-keeper. We were, of course, bound to keep the joke to ourselves, which we greatly enjoyed, and have often since referred to it.

A would-be dishonest umpire About 1894, I was umpiring for the Northern Nomads against another gentleman's team. Whose name I forget. This was a two days match. At lunchtime on the second day, my fellow umpire came to me and said, Look here, Barlow, this match doesn't look like being over before six or six-thirty, and my train leaves at six-ten. If I miss this, I cannot reach home till midnight. He went on to point out that it depended on our umpiring as to how long the match would last, and asked me to give all doubtful appeals out. And thus help him to catch his train. I, of course, refused to be a party to anything of the kind, and told him he ought to be ashamed to make such a proposal. It so happened that there were only one or two appeals made, and the match lasted until 6.15.

Consequently, this would-be smart man missed his train, and he deserved it.

From a Newspaper Cutting, 1891. Some of the local clubs were busy on Saturday. And we hear that in one instance, at least, the eccentric umpire was on the warpath again. R.G. Barlow was batting for his Saturday club, Royton against Littleborough, and the bowler appealed for leg before. I didn't see it, replied the umpire, but the bowler turned to him again and said, What do you say? This was too much for the umpire, and he announced his decision in the following words. I didn't see it, but I give him out. The decision is worthy to be bracketed with the famous, Not out, but don't do it again.

Another umpire story. About the year 1869, I was playing in a local match at Barrow Hill, Staveley, when the umpire was appealed to for run-out. He replied that it was a dead heat, the batsman having put his bat down inside the crease at the identical moment that the ball hit the wickets. When asked again, He gave the same reply. Consequently, the batsman continued his innings. I, however, bowled him with the very next ball.

The late Tom Emmett of Yorkshire as an umpire When I was playing with the Shaw and Shrewsbury team in one of their matches in America in 1881-1882, Shaw, our captain, asked Tom to umpire for a short time. His reply was, No, I shan't stand. There's sure to be an appeal, and I shall make a fool of myself. However, on being pressed, he consented to stand. The late R. Pilling was batting, and, as luck would have it, Emmett soon had a difficult point to decide. Pilling played a ball which either went on the ground or onto the wicket-keeper's foot, whence it bounced to a short slip who appealed for a catch. Tom was nonplussed. I don't know. was his reply to the appeal. Then, turning to Pilling, he asked, What did that do, Dick?

Pilling replied, It struck the ground and went to short slip. No, interposed the wicket-keeper, it struck my foot and went to short slip. Then Tom said, Well, Dick, I shall have to give you out. And out he had to go, wild at Emmett for taking the wicket-keeper's word before his own. Tom said afterwards, I told you all that I should make a silly mess of it. I shall stand as umpire no more on this journey, and he was as good as his word. For some time afterwards we made great fun of Emmett and his umpiring. He often told me that however much practice he had, he would never make an umpire, and that he had more sympathy for umpires after that match than he ever had before, and would never dispute their decisions again.

I might add that Tom Emmett was one of the most jovial cricketers who ever lived.

8 07 - Personal Anecdotes 37:35

G. Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Personal Anecdotes A dream which came true. As will be readily understood, I have often dreamed about cricket. But one particular dream was so remarkable in that it was fulfilled to the letter that it is deserving of a place here. In 1879. Lancashire was playing Derbyshire at Derby, and after the first day's play, I ran over to Staveley to spend the night at my parents' home, who were residing there at that time. It was here that I had my dream, which I related to my parents on coming down for breakfast the next morning. I dreamed that I had made fifty runs that day at Derby, and that I was then bowled by Mycroft with a shooter. This actually came to pass, Mycroft bowling me with a shooter. When my score had reached fifty.

I remember telling my dream to a few friends, whilst waiting at the station that same morning. They remarked that they hoped my dream would come off, and I replied, the chances are a thousand to one against that.

A Curious Dismissal The following occurred at a practice game in which I was playing in the early eighties, near to the Manchester County ground. A batsman played a ball straight back again. Very hard, which hit the other batsman's bat, knocking it out of his hand. The ball was then caught by the fielder at mid-on. To be caught out in this way was very hard lines on the batsman.

A curious incident during first-class cricket. This occurred at a match at Clifton in 1885, Lancashire vs Gloucestershire. During the progress of the game, A seagull came hovering around and above the wicket, and play had to be stopped for some little time. The players occupied the interval in having shots at the bird, with both ball and stumps. It can be imagined what fun was caused by this. The bird remained for several minutes, and it was remarkable how it eventually managed to escape unhurt.

Insects and Cricket Another incident Somewhat akin to the foregoing happened at Cootamundra, Australia in 1886, during a match, Shaw's 11 vs 22 of Cootamundra. The sky was suddenly darkened by a cloud of locusts which passed over the field. There were literally millions of them. Some of the local players, seeing the approach of these creatures, called out to us to lie flat on the ground. The players took the advice, and also many of the spectators And we remained in this position until the phenomenon had passed. We were afterwards told by the natives that at certain intervals these insects travel over this part of the continent in this manner. I am also reminded of the fact that on several occasions when playing on different grounds in New South Wales, the batsmen were compelled to wear nets over their faces to protect them from the swarms of flies which otherwise seriously interfered with their movements.

THE RIVER FIELDER The above title was earned by a certain player in the following manner. At a match, Staveley v. Chesterfield at Staveley, in which I was taking part about the year 1868, a batsman named Ben Rogers, a big hitter, made a great drive into the river which runs alongside the cricket ground. A Mr. Hazlehurst, who was rather short-sighted and wore spectacles, ran after the ball. Not noticing the water, he went head over heels into the river, getting a thorough ducking, and had to be hauled out. What made it the worse for him? He had not a change of clothing with him, and my father, who was the on-secretary of the Staveley Club, sent for some clothes to his house, which was close at hand, and which Mr.

Hazlehurst was very glad to put on. This little adventure caused great amusement at the time. And for many years afterwards, Mr. Hazlehurst was spoken of as the River Fielder.

Hard Lines On one occasion, in my early days of county cricket, I was caught napping. It was during a match at Old Trafford, Lancashire versus Kent. The umpire had called wide to a certain ball, and the other batsmen signalled me for a run. Having my mind so occupied about the wide, I was not careful to get into my crease. The alert wicketkeeper knocked off the bales, and I was given out. Naturally, I felt very foolish as I walked back to the pavilion. I was also caught napping on one occasion at Lord's, when Lancashire was playing the MCC in the eighties. I was batting and played a ball to Mr. J.S. Russell, who was fielding at mid-off. I then went out of my ground a little way, to pat the pitch down.

Expecting the fielder to return the ball to the bowler. He, however, flung it to the wicket-keeper, and before I could get back I was put out. I should have recovered my ground in time, but the pitch being soft I slipped and was unable to return to my wicket quickly enough. Another case of hard lines occurred in a match at Whitehaven. The late Mr. G.F. Grace's eleven versus a local twenty, which included the late J. Platt's and myself. When batting, I hit a ball between mid-off and cover point, and whilst running my second run, the bat stuck in the ground, causing me to fall forward onto the handle, from which I received a blow which rendered me insensible. They gave me a little brandy, though I was a teetotaler, and on coming round, the first thing I asked was, "'I am not out, am I?' Imagine my feelings on being told that I was out.

This was a case where misfortunes did not come singly.' Cricket as a Medicine At the close of the match, Lancashire v Yorkshire, in 1875, when Mr. Hornby and myself knocked off the required 146 runs without the loss of a wicket, I remember sending my father the results by telegram. He was ill at the time, having been confined to his house for several days. When the wire arrived, he was in the act of retiring for the night, but the news of our achievement Had such a tonic effect upon him, that he immediately re-dressed and sallied forth into the night to give all his friends the good news. He afterwards said that this had done him more good than all the doctors in the world could have done for him.

Speaking of my father reminds me that he was always enthusiastic where cricket was concerned. As a youth he was apprenticed to a chemist, and had to work in the shop until a late hour each day. Which prevented him getting any cricket practice in the evenings. So he, along with two companions who were similarly fixed as to spare time, arranged to have their cricket early in the morning before commencing the day's work. They therefore came to terms with the night watchman to awaken them about 5.30 a.m. For this purpose, my father tied one end of a length of twine to his great toe, putting the other end through the bedroom window, and letting it hang down in front of the house. This the watchman would pull at the hour named, which always had the desired effect of arousing the sleeper at the other end of the line.

Carrying Coals to Newcastle On the occasion of my benefit match at Old Trafford, Manchester, in 1886, a number of boys were offering for sale copies of a booklet giving particulars of my career. My mother, who came over from her home at Ramsbottom to witness the last day's play, kept being accosted by these boys on her way to the cricket ground, who called out, Life of Barlow, threepence each, and pressed her to buy a copy. At length she said to one of the boys, who was more persistent than the rest, My lad, I can tell thee about the life of R. G. Barlow. I've known him for some years. I am his mother. Here's a penny for thee. We had a good laugh over tea that evening, as she related this little experience.

An Interlude While at Bradford a few years ago, umpiring in the Yorkshire vs. Gloucestershire match, I ran over to Saltaire after the day's play to visit the scene of my five years' engagement in the early seventies. As I was strolling to the cricket ground in Saltaire Park, I came across a number of boys playing cricket, and seeing that they were neither batting nor bowling in the correct way, I offered them a few hints, which were not well received, for I heard one boy say to his companions, "'What does that old chap know about cricket?' "'He can't play.' I thereupon asked them to send me a few balls, and offered to give sixpence to the boy who could bowl or catch me out. This just suited the lads, and for a time there was a very heated argument as to which of them should bowl first, which was only settled by my suggesting That they should go on bowling in turns, six balls each.

After a few balls, I hit one into the river, which runs near the park. It was amusing to see the boys' faces, and to hear them remark to each other that they believed I had played before after all. We recovered the ball from the river, and after each boy had had a turn with it, I put on my coat, and they gathered round and asked me if I hadn't played cricket before. I told them, Yes, many times. and had played in that park before they were born. A boy then remarked, "'Oh, he's an old professional!' I said, "'Yes, and I'm umpiring at the big match at Bradford these three days.' Another boy then said, "'I think you're a Barlow I've heard my father talk about.' Telling him he had guessed correctly, I gave him the sixpence and smaller sums to his six companions, and left them all smiling.

Though only a trifling adventure. I think I never enjoyed half an hour's sport better than I did this.

A DISAPPOINTING LUNCH The professionals of twenty to thirty years ago were inveterate practical jokers, as the following anecdote will show. It was at a gentlemen versus players of the North of England match at Old Trafford, Manchester, about the year 1880. Jay Briggs was at that time living with me. And we occasionally had our dinner sent up to the ground from home. On this occasion we left our dinner, which was in a lock-up handbag in the dressing room. One of the players happened to possess a key which fitted the bag, which, during our absence, he opened and removed the luncheon. Some of the Yorkshire players dispatched the same, and replaced in the bag two new cut sods wrapped up to imitate the missing packages.

At lunchtime, Briggs and I rushed into the dressing room hungry and ready for dinner. I unlocked the bag and took out the first parcel, which I handed to Briggs, who soon discovered the contents. I noticed him, and several of the others, giving me a look, which I could not at first understand, and proceeded to unwrap my parcel, finding the sod in place of my dinner. My feelings can be better imagined than described. I remarked, there's always something going on when these Yorkshiremen are about. Which just suited Tom Emmett, who laughed uproariously. We, of course, laughed it off, though I told them it was rather too much of a joke. I have never heard to this day who the culprits were, but I always feel inclined to give the credit to my old friend and colleague, Alec Watson, and the late George Ulliot, Happy Jack of Yorkshire.

Batting for six weeks. I should like to take this opportunity of contradicting one story bearing the above title, which has been freely circulated for the past twenty years, and has been copied and recopied into many books and newspaper articles on cricket, as there is not one word of truth in it. It is to the effect that before my cricketing career, I was employed at an obscure railway station in Lancashire as a porter. And that having plenty of time on my hands, it was occupied in playing cricket with the station-master, booking-clerk, and ticket-collector. One day, a gentleman, who had some time to wait for his train, got talking to the station-master, and asked him what he did with all his leisure time.

"'Well, sir,' said the official, "'we go and play cricket in the field yonder, and often get a very good game. Our porter is the best player amongst us.' He's been in six weeks already, and we can't get him out. Perhaps you'd like to have a bowl at him. Dr. W.G. Grace has this same anecdote in his book on cricket, but says regarding it that he doubts its truth, though he considers that Barlow was quite capable of performing the feat named.

The Twins The following occurred at Kidderminster in 1879 at a match in which I took part between G.F. Grace's 11 and 18 of Kidderminster and District. Two brothers who were twins, named W.J. Hughes and J.W. Hughes, played in the Kidderminster team, and were as alike as the proverbial two Ps. One of the two came into bat at about the fall of the fifth wicket. He had a good defence and played very fairly. Being out eventually for eight runs. Shortly afterwards, the second brother came in to bat, when Mr. Grace immediately went up to him at the wicket, telling him that we didn't play that sort of game, allowing a man to bat twice in the same innings. The batsman protested that he'd not been in before, but Mr.

Grace was not to be convinced, and he was supported in his opinion by his men. Finally, Mr. Grace, along with most of the players, including myself, Went to the pavilion, where we found the other brother, and the mystery was solved, for we positively could not tell one from the other. They were so identical. This affair caused great amusement amongst the players.

A TERRIBLE NIGHT A laughable adventure, which might have had a serious termination, once befell the late R. Pilling, the famous wicket-keeper, and myself. During the visit of Shaw's team to Australia in 1881. It occurred at Newcastle, New South Wales, a place which was infested with mosquitoes. Pilling and I shared a double-bedded room at the hotel where the English cricketers were staying. The beds we found were specially constructed to keep out the mosquitoes, being entirely screened on all sides by curtains. On retiring to rest the first night, We noticed a few of the insects flying about the bedroom, but did not attach any importance to them, so climbed into our beds and settled down to sleep, as we thought.

We had not been in bed very long, however, before our companions of the night began humming in a most disturbing manner. Some of the pests also managed to penetrate our stronghold, and proceeded to take sundry bites at our exposed faces. Sleeping under these conditions was of course impossible, so we arose in order to settle our undesirable visitors. Not being accustomed to the mosquito screens before mentioned, and it being quite dark, we were unable to find our way out of bed, and after fumbling for some time were compelled to tear the curtains and climb through the gap thus made. We lit our candles, there being no gas in the place, and commenced the attack upon our foes. After killing a number of them, Pilling was again preparing to retire, when on approaching too near the bed with his candle, the curtains caught fire, and there was immediately a big blaze.

Our attentions were now withdrawn from the mosquitoes, and we began to fight this new enemy. After vigorous efforts, we managed to subdue the flames, but as can well be imagined, we did not get much sleep that night. Our exertions having banished all inclination to slumber. We tendered our apologies to the proprietor and his wife the following morning, and offered to compensate them for the damage done. They, however, good-naturedly refused to accept anything, and joined us and our fellows in a hearty laugh at the account of our nocturnal experience.

A Memorable Coach Drive I shall never forget a very memorable drive by Coach and Four, which I once had in Australia, along with Shaw's team in 1881 to 1882. We had been playing at a place called Dunnolly, and at nightfall of the same day we started off by Coach on a journey of 16 miles through the bush, in order to reach a station on our way to Ballarat, where our next match was to take place. The night was pitch dark. So dark that we could not see many yards ahead, and after covering six or seven miles, the old coach driver missed his way, taking a wrong turn. The coach then began to rock violently owing to the ruggedness of the track, and several times threatened to turn right over. As it was, three of our party, Tom Emmett, Jack Selby and Billing, I think the third was, were thrown from the top of the coach, sustaining a nasty fall.

Some of our luggage also followed suit. This caused us to have to pull up, which as it turned out was extremely fortunate, for we discovered that we were heading straight for a steep embankment, down which we should have been carried but for our timely accidents, and probably some of us would never have seen Old England again. The coach of course had to be turned round, and we had to cover several miles before we struck the right road again. This eventful journey, and the plight of the poor old coach driver, I shall remember as long as I live.

How Jay Briggs, the Lancashire and international cricketer, was first discovered. Watson and myself were playing in a match at Liverpool about the year 1878 for the benefit of a professional named Unsworth, who played in several matches for Lancashire in 1871. Briggs Who at that time would only be about fourteen years of age, was playing against us. He made seven runs, and showed very good form. He was also very smart in the field, his favourite place being cover point. Briggs also bowled a little, and though he did not take any wickets, we liked his delivery. In short, both Watson and I were very favourably impressed with his good all-round play. About a week afterwards, Watson and myself were at the county ground at Old Trafford, and saw Mrs.

Swire and Rowley, both since deceased, and Mr. A. N. Hornby. We told them what a promising young cricketer had been playing against us at Liverpool, and suggested that if they could see their way to engage him for the ground at Old Trafford, it might be a means of bringing him out. On meeting Mr. Swire a few weeks afterwards, he told me that they had engaged Briggs for the following season. And asked me if I could arrange for him to stay with me, so that I could keep an eye on him, as he was only quite a boy. I accordingly arranged to take him in. He came the following April, 1879, and remained with me for two seasons, making his debut for Lancashire in May of the same year. Watson and I took Briggs in hand, and systematically coached him in every department of cricket.

We were well repaid for our pains, for As all the world knows, Johnny Briggs turned out to be one of the finest all-round cricketers for his inches that ever lived.

An elderly Australian enthusiast While playing at Brisbane, Queensland in 1882, I was honoured by a visit from an old gentleman who had put himself to great inconvenience to see me. He had travelled over 100 miles, mostly on foot, along with his son, a youth of 16. At one portion of his journey, he had had to strip and ford a river, carrying his clothing and his lad across upon his shoulders. He was a Bolton man, and knowing that I came from the same town, he had conceived the idea of coming over for a little chat on kindred topics. We were together about half an hour, and he was very reluctant to leave me. His face was a study of conflicting emotions when the moment arrived for us to shake hands and separate.

Remarkable Incidents When Shaw's team was playing a match at Wellington, New Zealand in 1881-1882, a ball from the late W Midwinter knocked the leg stump clean out of the ground. After turning one or two somersaults in the air, it descended point down And stuck in the ground again in an upright position. One of the bales also went through the same manoeuvre, and came to rest, also in a perpendicular position. This caused much comment amongst the players, who all said they had never before seen anything so remarkable. Another remarkable effect was witnessed at a match at Sandhurst, Australia, during the visit of the On Ivo Bly's team in 1882-1883. A shooter was bowled by Barnes, which hit the wicket, when both the bales flew backwards, falling almost at the foot of the bowler's wicket.

The wickets which were hit remained in a perfectly upright position, and except for the loss of the bales, it was impossible to tell that they had been touched.

Ladies versus Gentlemen. A match which was in those days much more of a novelty than it is today, took place at Ramsbottom in 1886. Ladies versus gentlemen, the former playing with ordinary bats, and the latter with broomsticks. The gentlemen were also required to field and bowl with the left hand, which caused much laughter. The Barlow family were well represented at this match, my wife and two of my sisters playing on the ladies' side, the first named being captain, whilst I acted as umpire. One sister bowled well and very straight, taking six wickets, And the other was top scorer with fourteen runs. I must admit that I favoured the ladies, often allowing my sister seven or eight balls to the over, which no doubt helped them to win the match.

The full scores were, ladies 42, gentlemen 33. An armless cricket scorer. It is not often that one sees or hears of a cricket scorer without arms. But when I was connected with the Stavely CC in the early seventies, such a rarity used to occasionally score for the Chesterfield and Stavely clubs. He was a young man named Kerwin, who had lost both arms through an accident, having been thrown out of a wagon, the wheels of which had passed over him. He wrote by holding the pencil between his teeth, and considering his disability, was a very good writer. Kerwin was keen on the game. And watched every ball like a cat watching a mouse. I remember once playing in a match at Staveley, when Kirwin and the other scorer had a dispute with regard to my score, the former having got it as 28, and the latter as 27.

They made a small bet over it, and appealed to me to decide, as some of our team had told them that I always counted my runs. When I gave my answer as 28 runs, our armless scorer Was, of course, highly pleased. This reminds me of a similar incident which occurred in the North of England versus Australians match at Nottingham in 1884, when I made 101. When my score had reached 99, the spectators applauded, thinking I had made the century. Blackham, the wicket-keeper, being of the same opinion, said to me, Well played, Barlow. You've got the hundred. I replied, No, I require another run yet. My score is ninety-nine. We thereupon made a friendly bet of one shilling, which I won. I always made a point of counting my runs when batting.

Repartee. I remember when playing for Lancashire against Gloucestershire in the early eighties at Cheltenham, I had begun bowling at Dr. E.M. Grace, when he made the remark, Hold on, Barlow, I was not quite ready. I replied, I'm sorry, Doctor. He hit the next ball I bowled for a four, saying at the same time, Ah, Barlow! I was ready that time. But the very next ball that I sent down bowled him out. This enabled me to retort, Ah, Doctor, I was ready this time. Jay Street, the umpire, and I often laughed over this little dialogue.

Couldn't resist the temptation. I was on one occasion the subject of an amusing incident when Lancashire was playing against eighteen of Burnley and District, at Burnley. When batting, I played a ball against my left foot. At the same instant, I slipped down onto my knees, and the bat flew out of my hands. The ball was returning onto the wickets, having got within a few inches of them, when I knocked it away with my hand, the temptation proving too strong to be resisted. The fielders laughingly appealed for handling the ball, and I was given out.

Myself as a runner, a good afternoon sport. When engaged as a pro to the Salter CC in the summer of 1875, I think it was, some athletic sports were held on the occasion of the feast, or wakes as they are called. I entered four events, and was successful in winning every one, and all from scratch. They were as follow. 100 yards race, 220 yards race, 440 yards race over hurdles, 80 yards sack race. In speaking of running, I may mention that I won many prizes on the running track in my younger days. For some few years, I ran as an amateur, afterwards turning professional for a short time. I then won two handicaps, and once, when running in a £100 handicap at Barnsley, I was just beaten on the post in my heat by the man who won the handicap.

His name was Balderson of Bolton, who at that time was running in the big Sheffield handicaps. After this, I was entered for one of the Sheffield events, and several gentlemen wanted me to keep at it and go in for regular training. My parents, however, objected, so after the Barnsley experience I gave up running entirely. and devoted myself exclusively to my favourite game of cricket. My quickest time in running was 122 yards in 12½ seconds, in one of the handicaps which I won.

A Prophecy That Was Realised Some years ago, when Lancashire were playing Kent at Maidstone, Lord Harris came to me when I was looking at the wicket and said, Well, Barlow, in which innings are you going to bowl me this time? You generally do it in one of the innings. Oh, my Lord, it'll be in the second innings this time I shall bowl you," I retorted offhand. I'm glad you told me, he replied. I shall be on the look-out. When I told the players of what had passed between us, the late Dick Pilling and Walter Robinson proposed a friendly bet of two shillings to one shilling that I did not do it. But it came off all right. I bowled Lord Harris for four in the second innings.

From a newspaper cutting, 1884. In a match at Bolton in 1863, a certain lad was put on to bowl. He was seen to be far cleverer than any of his companions, and during the match he performed the hat-trick. That lad is now a man. He is one of the greatest cricketers of the day, and his name is Richard Gorton Barlow.

Almost a fatality. When umpiring at the Crystal Palace some years ago, London County v. Derbyshire. I just escaped within a hair's breadth of having my face smashed. Braund of Somerset was bowling to Mr. Lawton, giving him a very short ball on the leg side. Mr. Lawton, who is one of the hardest hitters we have at the present time, let drive with all his power. The ball seemed to swerve towards where I was standing at short leg, and came like lightning, a remark that is often used amongst cricketers. It just shaved the neb of my cap and nose-end, and before I could turn my head, the ball was at the boundary, about one hundred yards distant. Dr. W. G. Grace, who saw the incident, said, "'My word, Barlow, if that ball had hit you fairly, there would have been an inquest held to-morrow.' Several of the other cricketers remarked upon my narrow escape from what might have been certain death.

Bold but not out. An unusual instance of a man being bowled, and yet given not out, happened during a match at Manchester in 1876, Lancashire v. Notts. Mr. D. Q. Steele was batting against the bowling of the late Alfred Shaw. After a few overs, a ball hit the leg stump slightly, causing the off-bail to come off. The batsman, not knowing that he was bowled, remained at the wicket, whereupon Fred Wilde, the wicket-keeper, and Shaw appealed to the umpire. The latter gave the batsman not out, on the ground that he had not seen what had happened. The decision was severe on the bowler, and at the same time a bit of good luck for the batsman, as Mr. Steele afterwards played a very fine innings, scoring eighty-two runs.

I was in batting at the time, and was a witness of the occurrence. Had I been the umpire, I should certainly have given the batsman out as I saw the ball hit the stump. As it was, some of the players were arguing the point with the umpire for several minutes. After all, Notts won this match, an exciting one, by one wicket. It was also Mr. Steele's first match for his county.

A DEBATEBLE CONTRETONPPE A very curious incident occurred on Lord's Cricket Ground about the year 1889. When Lancashire were playing the MCC. Lees Whitehead was bowling to Mr. A. N. Hornby, when the ball slipped out of his hand and rolled down the pitch, about half-way between the wickets. On Mr. Hornby seeing this, he came down the wicket to hit the ball, and at the same time, Whitehead, the bowler, followed the ball up, just reaching it before Mr. Hornby made his stroke. Whitehead snatched up the ball and threw it to Carlin, the wicket-keeper. who put the wicket down, and appealed to the umpire. The latter hesitated, not knowing what to say just for the moment, when Mr. Hornby called out to him that he, Mr.

Hornby, could not be given out, as the bowler had obstructed him from hitting the ball. Mr. Hornby was, of course, given not out. At lunchtime, as well as at the close of the day's play, many of the cricketers and a few of the umpires were arguing the point, And it was a subject of discussion for weeks afterwards. All were agreed in saying they had never at any time seen such an occurrence either in local or first-class cricket.

A singular point. R. G. Barlow, the old Lancashire county man, had a singular point brought before his notice as umpire in a match the other day between the old Rossalians and the Northern Nomads. E. Roper and A. T. Kemble. Two old Lancashire County cricketers were batting, and Roper returned the ball very hard back to the bowler, Whiston, who made a good attempt to bring off the catch. The ball, however, rebounded off his hand, struck the outstretched bat of Kemble, and went to mid-on, where T. A. Higson held. Roper, of course, was out, but he took nearly half a side to effect his dismissal, and the assistance Kemble gave was unpardonable for a boon companion.

From a newspaper cutting. Another case of hard lines. At the North v South match at Lord's in 1878, I was given out for infringing Law 27, i.e. hitting the ball twice. I did not hit the ball a second time with any intention to score, which is really what the law in question referred to at that time. I say now, as I said then, that I consider the appeal was a very unsportsmanlike one, and was only made by one of the fielders, who doubtless wished to get me out of the way, as I had been batting some time. It was not that I was in ignorance of the law on this point, as I had been quite familiar with it for some years. I merely unthinkingly tapped the ball with my bat a second time, with the above result.

Past versus present. My last county cricketer's wicket. The very last occasion on which I succeeded in capturing the wicket of a county cricketer was at Coventry, at the Warwickshire v Northamptonshire match, at which I was umpiring. Season 19106. Sam Hargreaves, the Warwickshire bowler, was not out, five, on the Friday evening, and on arriving at the ground the following morning, he humorously remarked to me that he thought he was improving in his batting, and that he intended to stay in until the required runs were knocked off. I replied that I thought I could bowl him out in a quarter of an hour, although I was out of practice, not having played for some little time. We thereupon made a friendly wager over it.

Kinnear also took five shillings to one from Hargreaves that I would bowl him out in twelve balls. And several other small bets were made between the other players, causing some little amusement and excitement all round. Amongst both the players and the spectators. One of the players then lent me his cricket boots, and we went on the field. When all was ready, I took the ball and bowled Hargreaves with my very first delivery. He then came to me, and shaking hands, confessed that the ball had fairly beaten him, and that he would have to give in to the old Lancashire boy.

A Model First Wicket Pair It revived memories of old times to see A. N. Hornby and Dickie Barlow strolling off to the luncheon tent together. Evidently, Dickie Barlow had forgiven his old chief for all those terrible scurries between the wickets and some of the incidents that happened. But if those were adventures, they were great triumphs. They were a model first wicket pair, and Lancashire could do with a combination like them today. Manchester Evening Chronicle, July 30, 1906. An expert without a superior in the world. R. G. Barlow was another of the Stonewalling Brigade, and like Lewis Hall, he was usually put in first. He was an extremely reliable batsman, for although he could make a big score, there was absolutely no hurrying him.

When he took his place at the wickets, men regarded him as a fixture. At breaking down the best bowling, he was an expert without a superior in the world. He would be content to notch eight or ten runs in the hour. Barlow was invaluable to Lancashire, for he was an all-round player. He was a magnificent bowler, with a grand break, and one who used his head as well as his hands. He is a splendid judge of cricket, An enthusiast of the enthusiasts, a man to extract hints from, and what he does not know about the game is not worth knowing. He retained his form for many years, despite the strenuous work that he was called upon to perform. His age is fifty-four.

9 08 - Some Cricketing Curiosities 5:41

Some Cricket Curiosities. I now give an account of a few curious and marvellous happenings at cricket, for the truth of which I can vouch, as they occurred at matches in which I was engaged and before my own eyes. At a match at Ramsbottom, Barlow's North of England 11 vs. 18 of Ramsbottoman District, in 1887 or 1888. A fast ball was sent by the old Notts County bowler, J. Shacklock, which went clean through the wickets to the boundary for four byes without disturbing the bales. Pilling, who was the wicket-keeper, said that the ball opened the wicket in passing through, which then closed again, leaving the bales in their original position. He said that he had never, in his experience, seen anything like it.

The ball was brought back to the wicket to be tried, and it was found to be impossible to pass it between the stumps without dislodging the bales.

What was, I think, the most ludicrous episode that I ever saw on a cricket ground, took place at Whitehaven, about the year 1879, in a match between Mr. G. F. Grace's Eleven and a local Twenty, Which included the late Jay Platt, Derbyshire, and myself. Platt was batting when the ball somehow stuck in his hands. W.R. Gilbert, who was fielding at point, called out to Pooley, "'Get to it, Ted!' And as he was trying to get the ball, Platt deliberately put it into the top of his trousers, without saying a word. He knew that he had done wrong, however, and Pooley, who was keeping wicket, said, "'Jack, what's up?' Platt then ran away from his wicket, and a most exciting chase began, for he was followed by nearly all the members of the Eleven.

They ran him all round the enclosure, and a more comical race was never seen. In running, the ball had slipped down Platt's trousers' leg, and he tried frantically to kick it out. Before he could do so, however, one of the fielders, the late Jay Selby, Knott's, I think it was, caught hold of him, and the other fielders coming up. Platts, still kicking and struggling, was put on the ground and pinned down whilst the ball was removed from his trousers before it could touch the ground. It was a most extraordinary and laughable incident, but the sequel was, if anything, more so. Platts walked coolly back to his wicket and prepared to continue his innings. "'What's your game now?' said Pooley. "'You know you're out.' "'Ask the umpire,' replied Platts.

Pooley did so. And he was given not out, on the ground that the umpires could not see what had happened. Yet in point of fact, Platt's was out in three ways, handling the ball, obstructing the field, and court. Platt's told me at the time that he never handled the ball. He used to play in an ordinary grey shirt, and his trousers always came up a few inches above his belt, so there was plenty of room for the ball to lodge. I think myself that he played the ball into his shirt, and that when he started to run, it was with the intention of jerking the ball out. But it went the wrong way, down the leg of his trousers. I afterwards heard some of the spectators saying that during many years of cricket they had never before seen the fielders running after a batsman.

I do not expect ever to see anything to equal this, and I can now picture to my imagination the spectacle of Platt's racing about the ground and waving his bat about like a club with all the fielders after him.

When Shaw's team was playing the Australians at Holbeck some years ago, I was bowling to T. Horan, and sent a ball which hit the leg stump with great force. Remarkable to relate, the bales were not disturbed, and the ball, glancing off at right angles to the wicket, went near to the boundary for three byes. I was playing in a local match at Budsey near Bradford in the early seventies, When a swift ball from the hand of a bowler named West hit the wicket, causing the bales to jump straight up in the air for several inches. In falling back again, one bale balanced itself on the top of the leg stump, and the other one returned to its original position. During another local match at Eccington, Derbyshire, about the year, 1869, a ball of mine hit the wicket, causing one of the bales to rest across the top of the middle stump, and the other to lodge between two of the stumps a few inches from the top.

Handled Ball In my long career, I have only seen one batsman given out in first-class cricket for handling the ball. This was the late W. Scotton, Notts, at Melbourne, Australia, in the Smokers vs. Non-Smokers match, 1887. The Non-Smokers made 803 for nine wickets, which was a record up to that time. Scotton, wishing to get the ball to keep as a memento, played the last ball of the match just in front of him, and then, fielding it himself, pocketed the ball before the umpire called over. The bowler appealed for handling the ball, and Scotton was given out.

10 09 - The Author's Opinions on some Cricketers he has Met during the Last 40 Years 19:34

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

The author's opinions on some cricketers he has met during the last 40 years. Often it has been asked which players, since 1871, have been the best all-round exponents of the game. Of course, this is more or less a matter of opinion. But I should place Dr. W.G. Grace, Gloucestershire, and Mr. A.G. Steele, Lancashire, and George Hurst, Yorkshire, at the head of the list, in the order as written, with the Hon. F.S. Jackson, Yorkshire, close up. The first-named has been a most extraordinary all-round cricketer, and I place him the champion of champions. Amongst the Australian cricketers, I consider Messrs. G. Giffen, M.A. Noble, and W.W. Armstrong to be the best ever produced by that colony. For excellence in bowling, the Prince of Bowlers was the late Alfred Shaw, Nottinghamshire.

I have played against or seen all the best bowlers in England and Australia, and I play Shaw with Spofforth and Turner, the Australians, at the top of the list, taking them on all kinds of wickets. No matter how long you batted against Shaw, he would keep sticking you up, so that you never felt quite at home. He could bowl on all kinds of wickets, and at the same time preserve a beautiful length. He was a remarkably good head bowler, with a wonderful capacity for finding out a batsman's weak points, and could vary his bowling according to the state of the wicket, as could no other bowler I ever saw. He was, moreover, a fine fielder to his own bowling, and I have seen him effect some marvellous catches.

His action was beautiful and very easy, and I think he could have bowled all day long without turning a hair. I never came across a better-tempered cricketer, and I saw a good deal of him, having played with and against him many times in England, and made two out of my three cricket tours to Australia with him. He was a gentleman, both on and off the field, and I am certain we shall never see his like again on a cricket ground. The late G. Freeman, Yorkshire, and Tom Richardson, Surrey, would take the next place, with the late George Lohman and W. H. Lockwood, Surrey, close behind, and with the late E. Pete, Yorkshire, and F. Morley, Nottinghamshire, for left-hand bowling. Lohman and Pete were both very fine bowlers on all kinds of wickets.

Australia would be represented by Messrs F. R. Spofforth, C.T.B. Turner and H. Trumbull, with G.E. Palmer and the late H.F. Boyle close up, and the late J.J. Ferris as the best left-hand bowler. Other representatives of first-class bowling have been the late A. Appleby, Lancashire, the late J.C. Shaw, the late J. Jackson, G. Wutton, W. Atwell, T. Wasse, and Hallam, Nottinghamshire, the late G. Tarrant, Cambridge, P.A. Morton, Cambridge University, The late E. Wilshire, S. Christofferson, W. M. Bradley, Fielder, W. Hearn, Martin and Blythe, Kent. The late W. Southerton, the late E. Barrett, W. Lees and N. A. Knox, Surrey. The late W. McIntyre, A. Watson, A. Mould, and W. Brierley, Lancashire. The late R.

Clayton, A. Hill, and S. Hay, Yorkshire. The late W. Mycroft. The late W. Hickton, W. Bestwick. The late G. G. Walker, G. Hay and Warren, Derbyshire. S. Barnes, Staffordshire. The late F. Silcock, the late H. Pickett and W. Meade, Essex. J. T. Hearn, A. E. Trott and G. Burton, Middlesex. H. Rotherham, H. Pallett and S. Hargreaves, Warwickshire. F. Roberts, W. Woof and G. Dennett, Gloucestershire. E. Tyler, Somersetshire. G. Lillywite and F. Tate, Sussex. The best lob bowlers I ever saw or played against were W. Humphreys, Sussex, R. C. Tinley, Knotts, and T. Armitage, Yorkshire. There has been much said of late years with regard to swerve bowling. I have not seen anyone yet to compare with Walter Wright, the old Kent left-hand bowler, for this style of bowling.

Joe Hume, Derbyshire, and Hurst, Yorkshire. The first-named would also often make the ball curl in the air. Yorkshire has always been very fortunate in having excellent first-class left-hand bowlers, as for instance the late Tom Emmett, the late E. Peete, R. Peel, G. H. Hurst and W. Rhodes. With a wet ball or against a strong wind, I never saw anyone to equal the late W. McIntyre, Lancashire, and A. Hill, Yorkshire. W. Flowers, Knott, and A. Watson, Lancashire, were also fine bowlers under these conditions. For all-round cricketers, a few other giants of the past are Messers, the late G. F. Grace and C. L. Townsend, Gloucestershire, C. T. Studd and B. J. T. Bozenkett, Middlesex, S. M. J. Woods, Somersetshire, J.

R. Mason, G. G. Hearn, A. Hearn, and W. Wright, Kent. The late G. Ullott, the late W. Bates and E. Wainwright, Yorkshire. The late W. Barnes and W. Flowers, Nottinghamshire. E. J. Courtright, Essex. And the late W. Midwinter, Gloucestershire. Other cricketers who have done good all-round work for their county are W. Rhodes and S. Hay, Yorkshire. E. Arnold, Worcestershire. W. Brockwell and R. Henderson, Surrey. J. Gunn, Knott's. W. Cuttle, J. Sharp. The late J.

Platts. The late J. Davidson. W. Chatterton and S. Cadman, Derbyshire. D. Power, S. Coe, and J. King, Leicestershire. G. Thompson and W. East, Northhance. L. C. Braund, E. Robson. and Nichols, Somerset, V. Barton, and Clewellyn, Hampshire. The following have all been champion batsmen in their day. Lord Harris, F. Penn, W. Yardley, W. H. Paterson, and C. J. Burnup, Kent. A. N. Hornby, Lancashire. W. W. Reed, Surrey. E. M. Grace, Gloucestershire. I. D. Walker, A. E. Stoddart, and C. T. Studd, Middlesex. The late R. Daft. The late A. Shrewsbury, W. Gunn, W. Oskroft, Notts. The late H. Jupp, and the late T. Humphrey, Surrey. A. P. Lucas, Essex. The late R. Carpenter, and the late T. Hayward, Cambridge.

And the Honorable A. Lyttelton, Middlesex. Other very fine batsmen have been Satisi O'Brien, A.J. Webb, E. Littleton, C.J. Ottaway, J. Douglas, and C.F.H. Leslie, Middlesex. A. W. Ridley, Captain Wynyard, Major Poon, Captain Gregg, E. M. Sprott, A. J. L. Hill, F. E. Lacey, Hampshire, J. M. Cotterill, W. Newham, G. Brann, Sussex. J. Shooter, W. E. Roller, K. J. Key, M. Reid, F. Holland, Surrey. W. Yardley, W. Rashley, E. W. Dillon, Kent. H. K. Foster, F. Bowley, Worcestershire. H. W. Bainbridge, F. S. Fishwick, J. Devey, E. J. Diver, S. P. Kinnear, and the brothers Quaife and Lilley, Warwickshire, the late H. Charlewood and F. W. Marlow, Sussex, P. Perrin, C. McGahey, F. L. Fane, and H. Carpenter, Essex, F.

Townsend, F. H. B. Champagne, C. O. H. Sewell, C. L. Townsend, W. R. Gilbert, W. O. Mobley, W. H. Brain, J. Cranston, H. Rothall, and J. H. Board, Gloucestershire. J. A. Dixon, A. O. Jones, the late W. Scotton, J. Iermunger, and the late J. Selby, Nottinghamshire, the late J. T. Brown, J. Tunnicliffe, E. Lockwood, the late A. Greenwood, F. Mitchell, D. Denton, C. E. M. Wilson, T. Taylor, L. Hall, and Lord Hawke, Yorkshire. L. G. Wright, S. H. Evershead, R. P. Smith, E. M. Ashcroft, T. Foster, H. Bagshaw, L. C. Docker, A. E. Lawton & W. Storer, Derbyshire. H. T. Hewitt & R. N. Palliret, Somersetshire. The late J. Ricketts, the late C. Coward, O. P. Lancashire, L.O. S. Poidevin, G. Kemp, J. & A.

Eccles, A. H. Hornby, S. M. Crossfield, A. Ward. A. Paul, F. Sug, E. Roper, D. Q. Steele, R. H. Spooner, and W. Robinson, Lancashire, C. J. B. Wood, A. Knight, and H. Whitehead, Leicestershire. The best young batsmen at the present day are, in my opinion, G. N. Foster and Pearson, Worcestershire, K. L. Hutchings, Woolley and Seymour, Kent, Hobbs, Hayes and J. N. Crawford, Surrey, G. Gunn, Hardstaff and Payton, Nottinghamshire, R. A. Young, Sussex. Tarrant, Middlesex. Langton, Gloucestershire. And Baker, Warwickshire. Mr. Hutchings, Kent, is a very fine batsman, especially on a fast wicket and against fast bowling. His wrist play and the power he puts behind his strokes are marvellous. His style reminds one of Dr.

W. G. Grace, Prince Ranjit Singhji, and Mr. A. G. Steele when they were at their best. Mr. J.W.H.T. Douglas and Buckingham, Essex, Cuff, Worcestershire, Santol, Warwickshire, and Dean, Lancashire, have all done some fine work for their county this last season, 1907. Mr. C.I. Thornton, Middlesex, was the biggest and hardest hitter I ever saw or bowled against.

Batting. As the most scientific batsmen and experts at placing and timing the ball, I would give first place to Dr. W. G. Grace, Gloucestershire, Mrs. A. G. Steele, and A. C. McLaren, Lancashire, Prince K. S. Ranjitsinji, India and Sussex, and the late A. Shrewsbury, Notts, with the following six close behind. F. S. Jackson, Yorkshire, A. E. Stoddart, Middlesex, C. B. Frye, Sussex, W. Gunn, Nottinghamshire, and W. W. Reid and Tom Hayward, Surrey. I have seen all the above-named batsmen play some magnificent innings, and what a wonderful all-round athlete C. B. Frye has been. The prettiest and most attractive batsman I ever saw was Mr. L. C. H. Pilliret, Somersetshire, with the late Richard Daft, not so close second.

Messrs. A. P. Lucas, Surrey and Essex, R. E. Foster, Worcestershire, and K. S. Ranjit Were also very stylish wielders of the willow. The last-named, with his beautiful wrist-play on fast wickets, was worth going miles to see. I have also seen Mr. A. O. Jones, Notts, play some beautiful innings, and what, with his splendid all-round fielding, I call him every inch a cricketer. I must also say the same with regard to Mr. R. H. Spooner, Lancashire. The most daring and dashing batsman. And consequently the most popular was Mr. A. N. Hornby, Lancashire, who has a unique record for running short runs. Another undaunted batsman is Mr. G. L. Jessop, Gloucestershire. For late cutting behind the wickets, I have never seen any batsman yet to equal E.

Lockwood, Yorkshire. The two finest all-round cricketers, taking into consideration their short stature, were J. Briggs, Lancashire, and R. Peel, Yorkshire. In fact, they were two marvels. I have seen them do some wonderful performances. Another past hero is R. Abel Surrey. The finest batsman, I think, for his inches that this country has yet produced. He might aptly be called the Little Wonder. Other marvellous players of small physique are J.T. Tilsley, Lancashire, and W.G. Quaife, Warwickshire. Tilsley is a fine, dashing, and popular batsman. And one who can play on every kind of wicket. It is wonderful the power he gets behind the ball. For excellent play on a soft sticky wicket, when the ball is breaking about, I would place the late Arthur Shrewsbury, not at the head.

He was the safest batsman I ever saw or bowled against. The reason for this, in my opinion, was that he had a very good and quick eye. He had also plenty of patience. and would play just as carefully after he had made fifty as he did in the first over. Then again he was second to none in playing with his legs, and always played at the ball, not at the pitch, as many batsmen do on this kind of wicket. He never played forward unless he could get well to the ball before the break got on. I have seen him play some wonderful innings on these bad wickets. His untimely death caused a gap in the cricket world, Which will probably never be filled. There are, of course, not many players who can adapt their style to all kinds of wickets like Shrewsbury could.

I would have preferred to bowl against Dr. W.G. Grace, W.W. Reid, or any other batsman rather than against Shrewsbury on a bad sticky wicket. I know and have seen numerous players who can only play on what I call a good hard wicket when the ball is coming straight along. As soon as they get on to a soft, difficult wicket, they are all at sea. Messers A. G. Steele and Tildesley, Lancashire, A. Bannerman, M. A. Noble and V. Trumper, Australia, and F. S. Jackson and George Hurst, Yorkshire, have also been seven champions on varying conditions of the wickets.

Fielding. The best fielder at short slip, and for fielding his own bowling, was the late George Lohman, Surrey. A. Hill, Yorkshire, A. Watson, Lancashire, and L. Brawn, Somersetshire, were near rivals. J. Tunnycliffe, Yorkshire, has been another fine fielder at short slip, and I have seen him make some wonderful one-hand catches. I would place the Rev. V. K. Royal, Lancashire, as the best cover point who ever lived. His fielding was even more admired in Australia than in England. I have seen him do some marvellous things. Mr. G. L. Jessup, Gloucestershire, comes second in order of merit. Mr. G. Strachan, Surrey, S. E. Gregory, Australia, J. Briggs, Lancashire, W. Sug, Derbyshire, F. Hearn, Kent, W.

G. Quaife, Warwickshire, G. B. Studd, Cambridge and Middlesex, and W. Rhodes, Yorkshire, have all been champion fielders at cover points. By far the best point I ever saw, and one who stands alone, was Dr. E. M. Grace, Gloucestershire, and he always fielded close to the batsman. I have seen him make some extraordinary catches. One that I shall never forget was when he caught Mr. W. L. Murdoch at the Orleans ground in the match Mr. C. I. Thornton's team against the Australians in the early eighties. In my opinion, A. O. Jones-Knotts is the best all-round fielder this world has ever seen. And he is equally at home in any other part of the field. Mr. A. E. Lawton, Derbyshire, is another magnificent all-round fielder.

The best nine longfielders I ever saw were C. Ullathorn, Yorkshire, the late Mr. G. F. Grace, Gloucestershire, Mr. L. D. Brownlee, Gloucestershire, W. Gunn, Knotts, Maurice Reid, Surrey, F. Sugg, Lancashire, D. Denton, Yorkshire, J. T. Tildesley, Lancashire, and Mr. J. Douglas Middlesex. They were all first-class for judging a catch, quick running and throwing in straight to the wicket.

Wicket-keeping. The Prince of English Wicket-keepers was the late Richard Pilling, Lancashire, who was really a marvel behind the stumps. The smartest bit of work I ever saw, and I have seen a great deal, was when he stumped the Hon. Alfred Littleton. Late Colonial Secretary at Lord's in the match, Lancashire versus Middlesex. Crossland, the fast bowler, sent up one of his lightning deliveries rather wide on the leg side. The batsman got his foot on the crease when, quick as thought, the ball had flown to the ready hands of Pilling and the bales were off. The Honourable Alfred immediately turned round and patted the intrepid Stumper on the back. saying that he had never witnessed such a smart bit of stumping.

He afterwards presented Pilling with a half-sovereign as a small acknowledgment of his prowess. In taking fast balls from both the off and leg-side, the late George Pinder, Yorkshire, was a wonder, and I have seen him do some surprising things behind the wicket. Two other very fine wicket-keepers have been the Honourable A. Lyttelton, Cambridge and Middlesex, and A. A. Lilly, Warwickshire. I consider J. Humphries, Derbyshire, to be the coming champion wicketkeeper. I saw him perform some very smart work last season, 1907. Other first-class wicketkeepers whom I have seen or played against during the last 40 years are Messers G. McGregor, Middlesex, H. Martin, A. E. Newton and Rev. A. Wickham, Somerset, E.

Jackson, A. T. Kemble, W. Findlay, Smith & Worsley, Lancashire. M. C. Kemp, E. F. S. Tilecote, the late E. Henty & F. Huysh, Kent. E. Robson, Hampshire, the late E. Stephenson, the late J. Hunter & D. Hunter, Yorkshire, the late E. Pooley, A. Steadman, H. Wood, and H. Strudwick, Surrey, H. Phillips & H. Butt, Sussex, T. Plum & W. Smith, Northance, W. Storer & A. Smith, Derbyshire. The late S. Biddulph, the late W. Wilde, M. Sherwin, and W. Oates, Knott's, W. Bush and J. H. Board, Gloucestershire, and T. Russell, Essex.

11 10 - The Author's Opinions on some Cricketers he has Met during the Last 40 Years continued 22:34

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The author's opinions on some cricketers he has met during the last 40 years continued. Australian Cricketers And now, a few words with regard to the Australian cricketers. Having made three cricket trips to Australia in 1881, 1882 and 1886, and having either played against every team which has visited England since 1878, or umpired in their matches, I can speak with some knowledge and authority regarding them. The best batsmen to my mind, and using the greatest variety of strokes, were Messrs W. L. Murdoch, V. Trumper, and C. Bannerman, with H. Moses and C. Hill as the best left-handed batsmen. And with J. Darling and W. Bruce in close attendance. I have seen W. L. Murdoch play some magnificent innings, and shall never forget his 211 for Australia vs.

England in 1884 at the Oval. His placing, timing and late cutting were really grand. V. Tromper has been a wonderful batsman without a doubt. It was a great loss to Australian cricket when C. Bannerman's health gave way. I always thought what a good judge of the game he was, and what a fine captain he would have made. Messrs. F.A. Iredale and R.A. Duff were also good and stylish batsmen, using a variety of strokes all round the wicket. The best fielders, in my opinion, were H.G.S. Trott, at point, whom I have seen make some magnificent catches, especially one-handed. At his best, he was a fine all-round cricketer. S. E. Gregory at cover point was a little wonder. He was also an excellent bat, indeed for his height a champion.

A. Bannerman at mid-off was really first class, and with his wonderful defensive batting was a very fine cricketer. The late H. F. Boyle at mid-on was the best I ever saw, and he fielded close in. As a daring fielder, he ranked with Dr. E. M. Grace, Gloucestershire. The Prince of Australian wicket-keepers was J. M. Blackham, who is considered to be on a par with the late Richard Pilling. Two others who have excelled in this line are A. H. Jarvis and J. J. Kelly. In passing, I might also mention Messrs. E. A. Halliwell and P. W. Sherwell of the South African teams of 1904 and 1907, respectively, as wicket-keepers. I have seen them do some very fine things behind the wicket, and the latter has a beautiful style when taking the ball.

Regarding the Australian bowling of today and of 25 years ago, the finest bowling sides that ever came to these shores were those of 1882 and 1884, which included Messrs. F.R. Spofforth, the late H.F. Boyle, G.E. Palmer, G. Giffen, T.W. Garrett, and W. Midwinter. Who were at that time all at their best. The team which came to England on the last occasion fell far below the standard of those just named in the matter of bowling. A champion pair of bowlers who invariably went on the field together were Messrs CTB Turner and the late JJ Ferris. They have not their equals in Australia at the present day. Messrs. E. Evans, F. E. Allen, E. Jones, H. Trumbull, T. Garrett, and W. Howell were all fine bowlers.

The following five bowlers had more devilments from the pitch than any others I ever saw. Messrs. F. R. Spofforth and C. T. B. Turner, Australia, the late G. Freeman, Yorkshire, and T. Richardson and W. H. Lockwood, Surrey. The first-named could make the ball whip back and do more at his pace than any bowler I have ever played against.

Bowling. My personal opinion as regards the bowlers of the present day is that many of them bowl too much on the offside and too wide of the wicket. In a match at which I was umpiring last season, one batsman only played at three balls in the first two overs. Thus, nine balls out of the twelve sent up were quite useless. Now, I consider this to be a great mistake on the bowler's part for two reasons. In the first place, the batsman is getting his eye in, and secondly, the bowler is uselessly exerting himself and exhausting his strength without much probability of capturing many wickets. I have seen some overs bowled where not one ball was played at by the batsman. and many others where only two and three of the six balls were played at.

I feel certain that if these same bowlers were to bowl more on the wicket, with an occasional ball in each over, about six or eight inches outside the off stump, and one now and again a little wider still, say a foot or two, they would by these means get more wickets, and thus be able to show much better averages. I do not believe in so much of this off theory bowling. My opinion as regards this was confirmed by the bowling of Hallam-Knotts in a match at Dewsbury the season before last, 1906, Notts vs Yorkshire. His bowling in the second innings was on the lines of what I have just been advising. Hallam took six wickets for 30 runs, and Notts won the match by 23 runs. Although the wicket was not of the best, Yorkshire certainly ought to have made more runs than they did.

There is no doubt, however, that the victory of Knott's was due to Hallam's very fine bowling. I complimented him upon this after the match, telling him that his bowling reminded me of the old school of bowlers of twenty-five years ago. He told me only last season, 1907, that he was now bowling more on the wicket. Hurst & Hay, Yorkshire are also bowlers who bowl more for the wicket, with an occasional ball a little outside the off stump, as also do J. T. Hearn, Middlesex, Meade, Essex, Wasse, Knott, Blythe, Kent, Dennett, Gloucestershire, Thompson, North Hance, and Trott, Middlesex. Before leaving the subject of bowlers, it will doubtless be of interest to my readers to learn that the fastest bowler I ever saw or played against was George Hibbard, who came from a country village in Derbyshire named Barlborough.

He was very inconsistent in his length. Otherwise there was the making of a champion bowler in him, as he had a splendid action. However, having a good business and not being dependent upon cricket, he soon lost interest in the game and gave it up. I had the pleasure in 1871 of playing against the old All England Eleven, the late George Parr's team, which came to play at Staveley in Derbyshire in that year, the before-mentioned George Hibbard being one of our eighteen. I was put on to bowl when the late T. Haywood and the late R. Carpenter, two of the finest batsmen of the day, were batting. To my gratification, I captured Carpenter's wicket in the second over I bowled. The late Richard Daft was playing on the All England side.

And he remarked that he had seen Tarrant, Jackson, and many other fast bowlers, but none of them could come up to Hibbard for speed. I have often seen two long stops on in local cricket when he was bowling, which will give some idea of the speed of his balls. On one occasion, at a match at Bramall Lane Ground, Sheffield, in 1870, I think it was, I remember that one of Hibbard's deliveries struck the late George Pinder, Yorkshire, who was batting on the pads, causing him to go down like a nine-pin. In fact, I have seen this happen more than once. At the same match at Staveley, Richard Daft expressed his satisfaction with my bowling, and promised to use his influence in getting me an engagement, which promise he faithfully kept.

With respect to the batting, bowling, and fielding of today, and of thirty years ago, There is, with one or two exceptions, not much difference in the batting, though batsmen had not such good wickets to play on then as now. The bowling, I am sure, is not so good at the present day. Certainly, we have a few bowlers who are about equal to the giants of the past. But taking the county bowlers all round, they are not in it with the old school. The wickets are much better now, but when they are a little queer, owing to changes in the weather, Many of the bowlers seem quite unable to take the same advantage of them as the old bowlers used to do. This was proved last season. Never in the last forty years have I seen so many bad, soft and sticky wickets as I did in the wet season of 1907.

Although these are eminently in the bowlers' favour, many of the latter did not take advantage of the opportunity thus afforded. The bowling averages should have been much better than they were, and just to show the difference between the Lancashire County Bowlers' averages of last season, 1907, and those of the bowlers of 1881, I give them below. 1907 Lancashire County Bowling Averages Huddleston, overs 401.3, maidens 102, runs 941, wickets 71. Average 13.25. Harry. Overs 566.5. Maidens 200. Runs 1165. Wickets 75. Average 15.53. Dean. Overs 863. Maidens 252. Runs 2080. Wickets 98. Average 21.22 Cook.

L. Overs 320.3 Maidens 71 Runs 1,008 Wickets 47 Average 21.24 26 matches played 1881 Lancashire County Bowling averages Barlow. Number of balls 1,969 Maidens 254, runs 581, wickets 63, average 9.14. Nash. Number of balls 1,825, Maidens 223, runs 528, wickets 51, average 10.18. AG Steel. Number of balls, 1309. Maidens, 151. Runs, 453. Wickets, 42. Average, 10.33. Watson. Number of balls, 3,504. Maidens, 512. Runs, 815. Wickets, 69. Average, 11.56. Only fifteen matches played.

I also give the batting averages of the two top batsmen for the two seasons named above, and it will be seen what a wonderful year Mr. Hornby had, and what a fine performance it was to make his 1,000 runs, having played in only 20 innings, whereas Tilsley had 44 innings in making his 1,597 runs. 1907. J. Tilsley's batting average for Lancashire. 44. Total runs 1,597. Most in an innings 207. 38.02. 1881, Mr. A. N. Hornby's Batting Average for Lancashire. Innings, 20. Total runs, 1,000, and 2. Most in an innings, 1,88, average, 50. I have frequently made the remark during the past ten years or so that many more of the present-day batsmen and bowlers ought to get their one thousand runs and take one hundred wickets in a season, considering that they have to play in so many more matches than formerly.

Taking the fielding as a whole, the catching, ground-fielding, and return of the ball straight to the wicket in order to run the batsman out, is not nearly so good as it was some years ago. Catches are more frequently dropped in county cricket, the reason for which I cannot explain, unless it is that the players do not go in for sufficient practice. Another cause may be found in the fact that there are more pavilions, grandstands, etc., erected around the grounds, which obstruct the light, rendering it more difficult to see the ball than formerly.

The finest innings I ever saw. The finest innings that I have ever seen played was that of the late Arthur Shrewsbury, Notts, who made one hundred and sixty-four at Lourdes in 1886 in the test match England versus Australia. The innings was played on three different kinds of wicket. When Shrewsbury commenced batting, the wicket was hard and fast and rather fiery, but after a time there was a fall of rain which changed the wicket into a slow one. While later still, the sun came out, again changing the same wicket, making it very difficult. But Shrewsbury kept steadily at it, against some very fine bowling and fielding, Messrs Spofforth, Palmer, Giffen, Evans and Garrett being some of his opponents.

None of the other batsmen could do much with the bowling, with the exception of Barnes. When the Australians went in to bat, they could not make a stand, So difficult was the wicket, and were all put out for a total of 121 runs. Referring to this match, a London Daily gave the following pithy report. A tribute to the three. England beat Australia at Lord's on Wednesday, July 21, 1886, by an innings and 106 runs, mainly owing to the splendid batting of Arthur Shrewsbury, who made 164 runs, and the excellent bowling of Barlow and Briggs. Thanks to you we're dancing Jiggs, Shrewsbury, Barlow and Briggs. Who'll call England's Cricket, Star, Low, Briggs and Shrewsbury and Barlow? Here's to your health, ye glorious three, Barlow, Briggs and Shrewsbury.

Another extraordinary performance was that of P. S. Macdonnell, Australia, who in the match North of England versus Australians at Manchester, in 1888, made a very rapid score of 82 out of 101 runs for five wickets. To the excellent play of MacDonnell was due the victory of his side. He played on a very bad sticky wicket against the bowling of such men as Atwell, Briggs, Barnes, Flowers and Barlow. A. Bannerman, who was batting at the other end throughout this innings, only made four runs.

Tom Hayward's Fine Batting In the Surrey vs. Notts match at Nottingham, June 4, 5, and 6, 1906, Hayward played two wonderful innings. Especially so was the first, when he carried his bat through for 144 out of a total of 225. There were six Surrey wickets down for only 36 runs, when Walter Lees and Strudwick, two of the later batsmen, Kept their ends up while Hayward got the runs. The judgment which he used in getting most of the bowling was really fine, and worth going miles to see. In the second innings he had just made the hundred, when I had to give him out leg before wicket. Taking both these innings together, I must say it was the best batting performance I have seen for some years. I heard that Hayward himself considered this to be his best batting feat.

He had the full score printed on satin, and gave the members of the Surrey team one each. The Surrey captain, Lord Dalmany, made Hayward a present, for his two splendid innings in this match, of a fine silver cigarette-case, with all his three-figure innings engraved upon it.

My Own Best All-Round Feet I have been asked many times which I consider to be my own best all-round performance, So perhaps I cannot do better than give it here for the information of my readers. The best, in my own opinion, was at Nottingham in 1884 in the match North of England versus Australians. In the first innings, I was ten not out, and in the second innings I made 101 on a very bad wicket and against some first-class bowling. I have often remarked since that I did not know how I managed to remain in so long on such a difficult wicket, and with such bowlers as Messrs Spofforth, Palmer, Boyle, Giffin, and Midwinter arrayed against me. I also took ten wickets for forty-eight runs. The London papers gave the following complimentary report of my play.

For North of England against the Australian team at Nottingham, 1884, on a sticky wicket, Barlow was batting four hours and a half for his score of 101, and never gave the semblance of a chance. In the first innings he was ten not out, and his bowling average was ten wickets for 48 runs. Such a performance in a match of this importance has never been recorded, and a subscription was made and presented to him along with a few other presents, including a silver claret-jug and a diamond breast-pin. Whilst he was enthusiastically cheered. The Australian player, Mr. T. Horan, Felix, writing in the Australation, said, Throughout the tour we have not seen a finer performance than that of Barlow's, on such a difficult wicket, against splendid bowling, and without giving the slightest chance.

His bowling also was first class, and required a good deal of watching. Vice versa. The following will serve to show the uncertainty of cricket, and is a remarkable contrast to my innings just given. At Lourdes, in 1887, I was playing for an England XI against the M.C.C. Mr. A. E. Stoddart and Shrewsbury commenced batting, and I had to go in at the fall of the first wicket. I put on my pads about twelve o'clock noon, and sat watching the two batsmen named, until close on five o'clock in the afternoon, when Mr. Stoddart was out, the total standing at about three hundred. I then went into bat. The first ball from Rawlin almost bowled me. The second ball hit me on the leg when the bowler appealed for leg before wicket, and the very next ball I was given out leg before wicket.

Perhaps the fact that I was accustomed to going in first, or the tension caused by such a long wait Disturbed my equilibrium. But I shall always remember this match. I was waiting close upon five hours with my pads on for my innings, and then only had three balls, not one of which I touched.

THE BEST ALL-ROUND COMBINATION The best all-round combination that ever left England was, in my opinion, the Honourable Ivo Blyes, now Lord Darnley, Team, 1882-1883. Every man in this team was in his prime and at his very best, and eleven out of the twelve who made the journey were each likely to make his hundred at any time and against any bowling. The team was also really good in fielding, and possessed one of the very best wicket-keepers in Mr. Tylecote. Then, again, all the bowlers were good batsmen, with the exception of Morley. The following were the players. Hon. Ivo Bly, Captain, Kent. E. F. S. Tilecoats, Kent. A. G. Steele, Lancashire. W. W. Reed, Surrey. C. T. Stud, Middlesex. G. B.

Stud, Middlesex. G. F. Vernon, Middlesex. C. F. H. Leslie, Middlesex. W. Barnes, Nottinghamshire. F. Morley, Nottinghamshire. W. Bates, Yorkshire. R. G. Barlow, Lancashire. This team won the rubber in Australia, and brought back the ashes to England. The following is from The Sportsman, November 1903. With regard to the MCC team in Australia, with a couple of celebrated batsmen added, the combination might have been regarded as a representative one, and a famous cricketer with Australian experience told me recently that he considered it inferior only to one previous combination. That under the captaincy of the Hon. Ivo Bly, now Lord Darnley, in 1882, to 1883. It beat Murdoch's team in two out of the three matches.

12 11 - Miscellaneous Opinions and Incidents 28:44

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Miscellaneous Opinions and Incidents. Test match, England vs. Australia. In answer to the question as to which was my best bowling performance on a good hard wicket, I give the following as being the best. I was bowling for most of the time at one end. The bowlers at the other end being frequently changed. It will be seen that I took seven wickets during the time that the other bowlers only took three wickets amongst them, and this against a very good batting side. The match was played at Old Trafford, Manchester, July 5th, 6th and 7th, 1886. In the second innings, the bowling averages for England were, Pete, 46 overs, 25 maidens, 45 runs, one wicket. Lohmann. 5 overs, 3 maidens, 14 runs, no wickets.

Steele. 8 overs, 3 maidens, 9 runs, 1 wicket. Barlow. 52 overs, 34 maidens, 44 runs, 7 wickets. Ulyatt. 6 overs, 5 maidens, 7 runs, 1 wicket. Grace. 1 over. No maidens, 1 run, no wickets.

A few words for Australia. The scoring boards on the Sydney and Melbourne cricket grounds are really first class. We have nothing in England to compare with them. They have also splendid shower baths on all the principal Australian cricket grounds. These are the most refreshing after a hard day's cricket. I must also say that in all the three cricket trips I made to Australia, the behaviour of the crowds was very good. And they gave us some really flattering receptions as we went on the field. We were all well treated and entertained wherever we went, and had many invitations. In fact, so numerous were they that we had frequently to decline them. We had also free passes to all the theatres and places of amusement, and sometimes boxes were engaged for our team.

I am sorry, however, to have to complain about the umpiring in Australia. At some of the matches we played, the decisions were very bad indeed, both for us and against us. I have written much more on the subject of umpiring elsewhere.

A challenge to Australia. The interest in those early matches in Australia was remarkably keen, and it extended to the players themselves. During the 1881-1882 visit, A few of the Australian men were in one of the Sydney hotels one night, where a heated discussion on the respective merits of English and Australian cricket took place. Finally, Lilywhite and Selby said that to clinch matters, they would find two of their men who would play any couple in Australia, and asked Barlow and Ulyatt to back up the challenge, but it was not accepted. Both the players named were then at their best. And it would probably have gone hard with the representatives of the cornstalks.

Cricketers who have bowled Dr. W.G. Grace. Following are the names of the bowlers by whom Dr. W.G. Grace, Gloucestershire, has been bowled, 1865 to 1896. A. Shaw, Nottinghamshire, 21 times. R.G. Barlow, Lancashire, 14 times. F. Morley, Nottinghamshire, 11 times. T. Emmett, Yorkshire, 10 times. A. Hill, Yorkshire, 10 times. W. Flowers, Nottinghamshire, 9 times. J. Southerton, Surrey, 8 times. J. C. Shaw, Nottinghamshire, 9 times. E. Peat, Yorkshire, 9 times. G. A. Lowman, Surrey, 7 times. F. R. Spofforth, Australia, seven times. C. T. B. Turner, Australia, seven times. J. Briggs, Lancashire, seven times. J. T. Hearn, Middlesex, six times. A. G. Steele, Lancashire, six times. W. Bates, Yorkshire, six times.

G. E. Palmer, Australia, six times. R. Peel, Yorkshire, six times. G. Wutton, Nottinghamshire, six times.

A word of advice about boots. Many of the present-day bowlers are not so particular as they ought to be with regard to their cricketing boots. I have often noticed this when umpiring. A bowler should wear a good strong pair of boots, having rather thick soles, and with suitable spikes for hard and soft grounds. I may say that I was very careful on this point, and possessed two pairs of cricketing boots, One pair for the hard grounds, with short spikes, and the other pair for soft grounds, with the spikes rather long. Before leaving home for each match, I always saw that my boots were all right for bowling, and also took a few loose spikes with me. Only last season, when umpiring, I overheard some of the players complain about slipping when bowling, owing to their spikes not being right.

I am certain no bowler will keep the same good length if he cannot get a good foothold.

Barlow's Match In reviewing the games played between the North of England and past Australian teams, two at least call for special mention. That in 1884 took place at Nottingham and will go down to posterity as Barlow's Match. The famous Lancashire Stonewaller, then in his prime, Scored ten not out and 101, and took ten wickets for 48 runs. The second is that famous display in 1888 at Old Trafford, Manchester, when Percy MacDonald, on a soft wicket, won a grand victory for the Colonists ten minutes before time by hitting 82 out of 86. V-Day Press.

A word on LBW. It is frequently a subject of remark as to how often batsmen at the present day are given out leg before wicket. When umpiring in the match Leicestershire vs Nottinghamshire 1906 at Leicester, no fewer than six batsmen were given out LBW in the Knotts first innings, three from each end, which I think is a record of its kind. And last season 1907 at Cheltenham in the Kent vs Gloucestershire match. Moss and I had to give seven of the former team out LBW. I have frequently seen three or four out from this cause in an innings during the last few years. The only reason I can give for this is that the batsmen move their feet about much more than formerly, and unconsciously get in front of their wickets.

No balls. Then, as regards the no balls, there are far too many bowled at the present time. And many more than formerly. If certain well-known county bowlers whom I could name would take more pains, marking the spot from which to start the run, taking the same length and number of strides each time, they would never bowl no balls. A bowler should always bear in mind that no balls might be the means of losing a match for his side. It would, in fact, be even possible for a county to lose the championship owing to the bowlers sending so many no-balls. In connection with this, I might state that in 1880 and 1881, the Lancashire bowlers did not have a single no-ball recorded against them. This achievement has, I believe, never before been alluded to, though it constitutes a unique record in the annals of bowling.

The bowlers who did most of the work the two seasons named were Mr. A. G. Steele, A. Watson, G. Nash and R. G. Barlow. Many of the counties at the present day award marks to their players during the season for good batting and bowling, such marks representing so much talent money. If marks were also deducted from the bowlers for no balls, there would be fewer bowled, I feel sure. I may say I have no sympathy with players who bowl no balls, as they can always be avoided by careful bowling. When umpiring in the Northamptonshire vs South Africans match at Northampton last season, 1907, I had to no ball George Thompson no fewer than 19 times, which I should imagine is almost a record. Again, in the Somersetshire vs Worcestershire match at Worcester, I had to no-ball Lewis, the Somerset bowler, seventeen times.

Curiously enough, Arnold was twice caught off no-balls bowled by Lewis. This is the first occasion in all my experience on which I have seen a batsman caught twice in the same innings from no-balls. I ought to add that Thompson never once questioned my decisions in no-balling him, and if all cricketers were like him, the umpire's lot would be a much easier and happier one. For I regret to say that many cricketers of the present day generally receive the umpire's decisions with a bad grace, frequently disputing and criticising them, thus ignoring the well-known rule that the decision of the umpire shall be final. I feel sure that many of the county umpires will support me in making this statement as I speak from a long experience.

Exciting Matches Of all the many matches in which I have played, the most exciting, without exception, was the test match, England versus Australia, in 1882 at the Oval, when the Australians won by seven runs. I shall never forget this match while I live. The excitement was indescribable, and the scene after the match something to remember for all time. Felix, in a recent number of the Australasian newspaper of Melbourne, recalls the closing incidents of the memorable Test match at the Oval in 1882, when Australia won by seven runs. As Felix is no other than Mr. T. Horan, who represented Australia in that historic match, his recollections will be interesting reading. "'We talked together of exciting matches,' writes Felix, "'and I mention one in England in 1882, in which the strain, even for the spectators, was so severe, that one onlooker dropped down dead, and another with his teeth gnawed pieces out of the top of his umbrella.

That was the match in which, for the final half-hour, you could have heard a pin drop, while the celebrated batsmen, A. P. Lucas and Alfred Lyttelton, were together, and Spuffeth and Boyle bowling at them as they had never bowled before. That was the match in which the last English batsman had to screw his courage to the sticking-place by aid of champagne, when one man's lips were ashen-grey and his throat so parched that he could hardly speak as he strode by me to the crease, when the scorer's hand shook so that he wrote Pete's name exactly like Geese, and when, in the wild tumult at the fall of the last wicket, the crowd, in one tremendous roar, cried, Bravo, Australia, with a special cheer for Spofforth, who in that grand final bit of bowling took four wickets for two runs of 44 balls against the cream of English batsmen.

That was a match worth playing in, and I doubt whether there will ever be such another game for prolonged and terribly trying tension. Lest we forget, Australia won that test match by seven runs. Another very exciting match was the gentlemen versus players match at Lord's in 1877. When Mr. W. S. Paterson, the last man, joined the late Mr. G. F. Grace, they wanted 46 runs to win. They both played very fine cricket against some first-class bowling and fielding, and got the required runs amidst great excitement. Mr. A. J. Webb made some fine catches in the players' second innings, and caught six men out. In my opinion, the gentlemen's team in this match was the best that was ever got together in gentlemen vs.

players fixtures. The following are the names. Lord Harris, W. G. Grace, A. N. Hornby, I. D. Walker, A. P. Lucas, G. F. Grace, Hon. A. Littleton, A. J. Webb, J. M. Cotterell, A. W. Ridley and W. S. Paterson. A very warm lot indeed to bowl at. I can just imagine how they would be on the present-day wickets. Four other matches in which I played and which finished amidst great excitement were 1. Gentlemen vs. Players in 1883 at the Oval, when the late E. Pete bowled Mr. H. Rotherham and the match ended in a tie. 2. Gentlemen vs. Players at Brighton. in 1880, for J. Lillywite's benefit. At the close of the first innings, the score stood at 204 for each side, and at the finish the players won the match by the extremely narrow margin of one run.

The scores for the second innings being, players 112, gentlemen 111. The last batsman, Mr. A. Appleby, was caught and bowled by A. Shaw, and a brilliant catch it was, one-handed, The bowler having to jump out to reach the ball. 3. Another exciting match, and one which I shall always remember, was Lancashire vs Yorkshire at Manchester in 1875. Lancashire required 146 to win in the last innings, and Mr. A. N. Hornby and myself got the runs without the loss of a wicket. The crowd signified their approval by collecting and presenting me with about £10, Four. The last exciting match which I shall mention was played at Sydney, Australia in 1883. The Honourable Ivo Bly's, now Lord Darnley, English team versus Murdoch's Australian team.

This was a test match, and the one which decided the rubber. On the fourth and last day of the match, the Australians required 152 runs to win. They only made 83. So the English team won by 69 runs. My bowling average in this last innings was as follows. 34 overs, 20 maidens, 40 runs, and 7 wickets. Some of the spectators carried me shoulder high, and were so demonstrative that they almost pulled me limb from limb. A collection of over £20 was made for and presented to me, along with a beautiful silver cup and several other articles for this bowling performance.

Some clever catches. I must also place on record a few remarkable catches which it has been my good fortune to witness. The finest and most marvellous of all, and one which will never be forgotten by those who saw it, was made by the late George Ulyott, Yorkshire, in the match, England v. Australia, at Lourdes in 1884, when he caught and bowled Mr. G. J. Bonner, the big hitter. The ball came from the batsman with the speed of a shot from a gun, straight into the hands of the bowler, which were forced backward over his shoulder with the impetus of the ball. Had the ball struck a vital part, it must have meant certain death, and it would have shattered any bone which happened to get in its way.

Ulyatt afterwards remarked to me that this catch was as much due to good luck as to skill. He had just time to see the ball coming. And threw up his hands with the results named. A second wonderful catch was made at Leicester some years ago, when Leicestershire was playing Hampshire. The catch was made by one of the Hampshire gentlemen, Mr. Rakes, who ran a considerable distance at top speed, and caught the ball low down, close to the ground, at long off, and near the boundary. The onlookers and the batsmen, Mr. De Trafford, quite thought that this was a boundary hit for four. For this feat, Mr. Rakes received an ovation lasting several minutes. Yet another sensational catch was made by Mr. J.

Douglas of the Middlesex team in a match on the Leeds ground, Yorkshire versus Middlesex. He will doubtless remember to this day the outburst of applause which greeted this feat. The ball was a big drive made by Mr. F.S. Jackson towards Long On. And it was necessary for Mr. Douglas, who was fielding at long off, to run at full speed for a distance of some 40 or 50 yards along by the boundary. He made the catch while running, and then tumbled head over heels onto the asphalt outside the boundary, still holding on to the ball.

Brilliant Fielding and Catching by Mr. C.C. Page At the Middlesex vs. Essex match at Lords last season, 1907, at which I was umpiring, Mr. Page made three remarkable and extraordinary catches in different positions of the field, and all within a short time of each other. In fact, throughout this innings, Mr. Page's fielding and catching were most brilliant. The sportsman of June 6, 1907, gave the following report of this feat. The outstanding feature of yesterday's play with some remarkably fine catching by the old Malvernian C.C. Page. It appeared as if fate, or, shall we say, the home captain's intelligent anticipation, had willed it that this brilliant fieldsman should always be in the right place, for by a peculiar combination of circumstances he made his four catches from three positions, two at short leg, one at long off, and another at deep square leg.

The first was tolerably easy, but the last three were brilliant in the extreme. The remarkable run that he made from short leg to secure the ball which disposed of Freeman, causing much surprise. When he started, it appeared impossible, yet, to the surprise of all, he just got beneath the ball, about twenty-five yards from his original position, and made the catch. Those in the long field and deep square leg were made when the ball was travelling very fast, the leather on both occasions being taken when it had almost reached the ground. I might add that my fellow umpire and myself measured the distance covered by Mr. Page when making the catch above referred to, which we found to be about forty yards.

My River Catch My own best catch was at Salterre in 1874 or 1875. Salterre was playing a club called, I think, Bradford Albion. I was fielding at Long On, and the batsman, a great hitter, made a very big drive. I ran at my utmost speed for 30 or 40 yards, and caught the ball at full stretch, just inside the boundary. I was unable to stop myself for some yards, and ran on to the asphalt outside the boundary, almost falling into the River Irwell, which runs by one side of the cricket ground in Saltaire Park. For some years afterwards, they called this Barlow's River Catch.

Exciting Matches When Umpiring I have umpired at some very exciting matches in my time. The following four, I think, being especially worthy of mention. The first was at Huddersfield some few years back, when Yorkshire was playing Essex. I had to give the last Yorkshire batsman out leg before wicket, and Essex won by the exceedingly narrow margin of one run. A second exciting match was at Leyton, Essex v Sussex, in 1899, when the former county won by one wicket. I remember the Sussex bowler, Cox, appealing against Young, the last batsman, for leg before wicket. The bowler happened to get in my way, preventing me from seeing the ball pitch, so of course I was bound to give the batsman not out.

Another very fine and exciting match was at Dewsbury in 1906, Yorkshire vs. Knott's. Yorkshire only wanted 94 to win, but Hallam and Wasse bowled splendidly, And not one by about twenty runs. Mr. A. O. Jones played a magnificent innings of eighty-eight on a queer pitch, which had been spoiled by the rain overnight. It was rather singular that Hay, who commenced the bowling to Mr. Jones, should bowl him the very first ball sent down. But I had to no-ball him, which was hard lines, as it was a beautiful ball, and to my mind seemed to beat Mr. Jones all the way. Such is the game of cricket. There was another very exciting match which took place at Blackpool in 1905 between Lancashire and an England 11.

The latter declared their innings closed with four wickets in hand, leaving the county 169 to win. In the last over of the day, the scores were level, but as Cook was caught in endeavouring to make the winning hit, the game ended in a draw. Lancashire, with three wickets in hand, requiring one run to win. The fielding of Mr. Lawton, Derbyshire, in this match was very fine indeed.

A Batsman vs. Bowler Incident I was bowling in a Lancashire vs. Oxford University match at Oxford some years ago, when I noticed the batsman going out of his ground before the ball had left my hand. Pilling was keeping wicket, And I called his attention to this, and told him that I should put the wicket down if the batsman repeated the proceeding in the next over. Sure enough, it all came off, and the batsman was given out. Some people would consider the above to have been rather sharp practice on my part, but I fail to see it in this light. It is in strict accordance with the rules of the game, and no batsman should try to gain an unfair advantage by leaving his crease before the ball is bowled.

I afterwards told the batsman in question that I regretted having to put him out in this way, but he took it in good part, saying that I was quite right, and that the experience had taught him a lesson for the future.

County Cricket Grounds, Past and Present A few words about the county cricket grounds of today and thirty years ago. My opinion is the same as that of many other old cricketers, viz., that they are much better at the present day than formerly. Still, I played on a few of those grounds in the early eighties, which were almost as good then as they are now. I always did prefer a good sporting wicket, and I think that cricket on this class of wicket is a much better game and creates more interest and excitement for both players and spectators. Moreover, it brings out all the batsman's good qualities, as the ball requires more careful watching and timing. Then again, There would not be so many drawn matches.

On the present-day first-class wickets, I think that the batsman has too great an advantage over the bowler, whereas on the kind of wicket I have just referred to, bowler and batsman would be more on an equal footing, as was the case some years ago. I never believed in artificial wickets, and I know they are not popular. If there is an element of risk in playing on a wicket not thoroughly prepared, that is the bowler's opportunity. And it is part of the game for him to take advantage of it.

Fast and Slow Run-Getters Much has been said and written of late about brightening cricket, and there is no one who likes to see a fine free batsman better than myself. Every batsman, however, cannot be a free hitter. There always were and always will be three different kinds of batsmen, fast, moderately fast, and slow run-getters. Just as there are fast, medium, and slow bowlers. And I think it is better that there should be a little variety in our national game. To illustrate my meaning, I may recount that some years ago, when Lancashire was playing knots at Nottingham, Mr. Hornby didn't come off in either innings, through having a go at the ball a little too soon, as cricketers term it. We lost this match, and Mr.

Hornby afterwards said to me, Oh, Barlow! I wish I had some of your patience. I replied, Yes, Mr. Hornby, and I also wish I had some of your hitting powers. I remember, too, that on one occasion Dr. W. G. Grace, in speaking of Mr. Hornby, said that if he only had a little more patience when batting, he would get more runs in the season than any batsman who ever played.

Nimbleness For nimbleness and jumping out of the ball when batting, I have never seen any batsmen to equal Messers A.N. Hornby and A.G. Steele, Lancashire. It was a real treat to watch them playing to medium or slow bowling. I can just imagine what runs they would get on these present-day plum wickets, and how they would go for that offside bowling. Mr. V. Trumper, Australia, is another batsman of this kind. Hard-hitting, firm-footed men. The hardest hitters amongst what are called firm-footed batsmen, or batsmen who stand firmly in one position, whom I ever saw, were Messrs. H. H. Massey, the late P. S. Macdonald, G. J. Bonner, and J. J. Lyons, Australia, and Messrs. G. L. Jessop, Gloucestershire, J.

F. Lease, Lancashire, and E. Hayes, Surrey.

A feat in county cricket. In the Lancashire vs. Knott's match at Nottingham, July 6th, 7th and 8th, 1882, I carried my bat right through the second innings for five runs. Again, in the return match at Agbeth, near Liverpool a few days later, July 21st, 22nd and 23rd, I carried my bat through the first innings, this time for 44 runs out of a total of 93. When we were four wickets down in the last named innings, Selby, one of the Knotts players, came to me and said, Barlow, I'll take 20 shillings to one that you'll go through the innings again. I replied, all right, I'll lay you 20 to one that this time I don't. I added that I hoped to lose the bet, as I should like to repeat the feat. I lost the bet to my satisfaction.

In the second innings of this match, Selby again came to me when we had lost four wickets and offered me the same bet which I took. This time, however, I only managed to carry my bat past the seventh wicket, being then unfortunately run out by Flowers, who threw the wicket down from cover point after I had made forty-nine runs. But for this, I should most probably have carried my bat out in three consecutive innings, which would have been an extraordinary performance, as I had to face the bowling as such experts as Shaw, Morley, Flowers, Barnes and Mills. I might state, in connection with the aforenamed matches, that the wickets, both at Nottingham and Liverpool, were greatly in the bowler's favour, as is proved by the low scores for each side in both matches.

13 12 - Miscellaneous Opinions and Incidents continued 33:23

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Miscellaneous Opinions and Incidents Continued On Stonewall Batting As it is at times the fashion among certain would-be critics of the game to depreciate what is commonly known as Stonewall Batting. I should as an old stonewaller. Like to make a few remarks with respect to this kind of play. Though I don't like to see too much slow play, especially on the plum wicket of the present day, yet there are occasions on which it cannot be avoided. As for instance, when the wicket is playing queerly, and at the same time the bowlers are keeping a good length and are bowling onto the wicket. Then again, it is not the lot of every batsman to be a free bat. My opinion now is the same as it was thirty years ago, viz., that there should be at least one steady defensive batsman or stonewaller in every team.

The following, which is an extract from the chapter on R. G. Barlow, in Old E. Boer's book on Old English Cricketers, expresses my sentiments in a very concise manner. Richard Barlow, on the ethics of stonewalling, might form a chapter to itself. But what the famous Stone Waller has to say on the matter may appropriately come in here. Asked first to explain how he received the title of Stone Waller, Barlow replies, I think it may be traced to the late W. Barnes of Nottingham. It was in the match with Notts in 1882 when I kept at the wicket about two hours for five runs. This innings was played on a very sticky wicket. After our innings was over, Barnes came up. and remarked that bowling at me was like bowling at a stone wall.

From that time I was always named a stone waller. But, you ask, what was the reason of that extraordinary cricket? Simply this. The wicket was in the bowler's favour, and Mr. Hornby told me to stick. So I stuck. I tried to keep Alf Shaw from mischief, while our other fellows got the runs. This ability to stick has, I may venture to say, Being repeatedly beneficial to our side. Louis Hall, Scotton and I, were often run down by press and public for stone-walling, but those who criticised did not seem to understand that we were playing for our side, and that the stone-walling that they did not like helped to win our sides many matches. Further, they did not know that, in my case at least, I was very often acting strictly on my captain's orders.

There is one match which I remember very well to which this remark applies. It was Murdoch's Australian team versus Lancashire, played at Old Trafford on June 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1882. We had to follow on, a hundred and forty-one runs behind, and Mr. Hornby, on going in a second time, said to me, Barlow, I should like to make this a good match. You play the old man's game. I replied, All right, sir. I'll bat Spofforth as much as I possibly can. You get the runs at the other end. Well, unfortunately, Mr. Hornby was a victim to Mr. Spofforth at six, but by the aid of the old man's game, I battled through the innings and carried out my bat for a score of 66 in a total of 269. For that performance, £15 was collected and presented to me, and I also had a bat given to me by an admirer of the innings.

We lost the game by four wickets, but Mr. Hornby had his wish that we made it into a good match. Then take another match. On September 1, 1884, the North of England played the Australians at Nottingham, and the North were out for ninety-one in the first innings, and the Australians scored one hundred. When I went in a second time, the old man's game enabled me to score one hundred and one And Flowers, who made ninety, and I put on one hundred and fifty for the sixth wicket. Result. The North won by one hundred and seventy. So much for the utility of the old man's game. I always consider that match contained the best performance of my career, for not only did I get the century on a sticky wicket, but I captured ten wickets for forty-eight runs.

The score was presented to me on satin. Sixteen pound was collected and given to me, and I had several other presents. Among these was a diamond breast-pin from a stranger who had come over one hundred miles to see the match, and who was so delighted with it that he insisted upon me accompanying him to a jewellers' shop that he might make me a present. Singular to State. Two years afterwards. June 21st, 22nd and 23rd, 1886. Playing again at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. For the players of England against the Australians, Flowers and I added 172 for the ninth wicket, I making 113, and Flowers this time missed the century by seven. In each instance I had worn the bowling down with the old man's game, and Flowers reaped the benefit as well as myself.

It will be seen, therefore, that stonewalling has its uses. I will give two more instances of the value of the so-called stonewall tactics. I think they also show that stonewalling and nerve are not unassociated. In the England vs. Australia match at Lord's in 1884, Lord Harris came to the players' tent and said to me, Barlow, play your old defensive game. Keep your end up. I should like to win this match. All right, my lord, was my rejoinder. I went in when Mr. A. G. Steele, who was playing brilliant cricket, he made 148, needed a steady partner. Before I left, the score had been increased by over a hundred runs, the greater portion of which were from the brilliant Lancashire Amateurs bat. The other occasion was England v.

Australia at Old Trafford on July 7th, 1886. The wicket was difficult in the last innings, and England needed 106 to win, and lost Dr. W.G. Grace, Shrewsbury, and Mr. W.W. Reid for 24 runs. Mr. Steele, our captain, came to me, and wanted me to go in earlier than he had arranged, saying, For goodness sake, Barlow, stop this rot. Go in next. I went in, made 30, and Mr. Steele, coming in afterwards, finished off the work. And we won by four wickets. These cases show that the old man's game pays your side, and that it requires some nerve, and that the public are not generous when they growl at the so-called slow play. But I was not such a dreadfully slow scorer after all, even if I did make something like a record in scoring five runs at Nottingham in about two hours.

I can produce many instances in which I scored as fast as the recognised hitters of the day, but a few will suffice. Take Lancashire v. Surrey in 1873, 40 out of 95 from the bat, 56 out of 114 against Kent in 1877, 35 out of 99, and through the innings against Shaw, Morley, Mycroft, and G. G. Hearn in 1878. 52 not out, of 105 at Old Trafford in 1886. Do these figures show slow play? Then, the first time I met Shaw and Morley at Nottingham in May 1876, I played through the innings for 34. That is a feat that required some doing against those bowlers, and they at least would not call it either slow play or stonewalling. From all of which the reader will be justified in opining that Barlow is anxious that it should be made known the devil is not as black as he is painted.

When not called upon to play the old man's game, Barlow could hit. Strange, though, it may seem, there is a record of his once having hit three fours in one over at Lord's. That was in the course of an innings of 117 in 1884, which he made in three hours. A rate of scoring that no one could cavil at. In the same year, against Cheshire at Stockport, he hit the ball out of the cricket enclosure and into a potato field where it was lost. Even fieldsmen have found he could hit so hard that they were compelled to retire to a respectful distance for safety.

An England 11 v. Derbyshire. A Newspaper Correspondent's Protest. Sir, In your report of this match, R.G. Barlow, at Derby, comes in for some detracting remarks from your reporter. He is described as dismissed after having played in tedious style for 63. Now a score made up of 1-5, 4-4s, 7-3s, 3-2s, etc., against the crack bowling of Derbyshire, such as W. Mycroft, G. Hay, J. Platts, and J. Richardson, must have been, to my mind, very smart cricket indeed. and on a wicket which was not one of the best. The report seems at variance with that given by the sportsman, an authority, I presume, wherein his innings is described as made up of brilliant cricket. And he also bowled five overs, two maidens, three runs, three wickets.

The remarks alluded to would scarcely call for comment, but it is not fair criticism. There appears to be an aversion to Barlow in some quarters. Probably because he does not play for Derbyshire. No doubt his batting on some occasions is too patient for those who do not understand cricket, but in this innings he appears to have scored about twice as fast as anyone else. Many of our best bowlers do not like his stubbornness at times, though Lilywhite's Cricket Guide says, in commending his play, give us more Barlows instead of second-rate sloggers, or what may be termed hitting without aim or object. Yours truly, July 4th, 1878, Y.X.

In 1904, at the dinner given by the Lancashire County CC, in honour of winning the county championship, Mr. A. G. Steele, speaking of giants of the past, said, he might mention old Richard Barlow, who was ever ready to run when called upon. A courageous and grand cricketer he was. He always knew That he could bowl any batsman out, and was also convinced that no bowler could get him out. He was a giant of the past. The late Mr. C.W. Olcock, in his well-known book, Famous Cricketers and Cricket Grounds, says, An all-round cricketer with few superiors. At his best, Barlow was one of the mainstays of the Lancashire Eleven, both in batting and bowling, for over fifteen years. Going in first with Mr.

A. N. Hornby, his defensive style was a complete contrast to the dashing and vigorous cricket of the amateur. No eleven of players for some years would have been complete without him, and at his best he would have been eligible for a representative side of England. He also did good service for more than one English team in Australia. With a stubborn defence he was at all times a difficult batsman to get out. Besides being an excellent field at point, he was also a left-handed bowler, rather over medium pace, of great merit, quite one of the best of his time.

My first two matches for the players against the gentlemen were, first in 1876 at the Oval, June 29th and 30th, and July 1st, when I made 27 and 33, and second at the Prince's Ground, London. July 6th, 7th and 8th, when my scores were 6, and not out 45, out of a total of 134. In this last innings, I went in at the fall of the first wicket, and carried my bat out. I did not bowl in these two matches. It is very surprising to me to find what a large number of batsmen there are at the present day, who show bad judgment in calling for and timing their runs. The early Australian teams had this same fault, but the later teams show a decided improvement in this respect. The South Africans were very much better in judging their runs, etc., this last season than in 1904.

A Hornby and Barlow comparison. Mr. E.H.D. Sewell in the St. James Gazette says, it would be difficult to name two professionals of the day. More likely and more able to avail themselves of every single run obtainable than Knight and Brawn. Both are splendid between wickets, and together might bear comparison favourably with Hornby and Barlow, S.M.J. Woods, and Gregor McGregor in their prime, to say nothing of Trumper and Duff.

My favourite grounds. I have sometimes been asked which grounds I liked best to play on. Every cricketer has his favourites. In my opinion, the best appointed cricket ground in the world is the Sydney Ground, Australia, and this and the grounds at Old Trafford, Manchester and Trent Bridge, Nottingham were always my favourite grounds for playing on.

England vs Australia In his cricket reminiscences of past conflicts, George Giffin, the Australian cricketer, says, The strongest side which in my humble judgment has ever represented England was the following Magnificent Eleven, 1884. Lord Harris, The Honourable Alfred Littleton, Dr. W. G. Grace, A. G. Steele, W. W. Reid, Barlow, Barnes, Shrewsbury, Peat, Ulyott and Scotten. I have often been asked these last few years which I considered the best Australian team that ever came to England. I must say, without a doubt, the best all-round teams were those of 1882 and 1884. Viz. 1882 Messers W. L. Murdoch, Captain, G. Giffin, P. S. Madonnell, G. E. Palmer, T. Hoarang, H. F. Boyle, F. R. Spofforth, H.

H. Massey, A. C. Bannerman, G. J. Bonner, J. M. Blackham, S. P. Jones, and T. W. Garrett. 1884. Messrs. W. L. Murdoch, Captain, G. Giffin, P. S. McDonnell, G. E. Palmer, H. F. Boyle, F. R. Spofforth, H. J. H. Scott, A. C. Bannerman, W. Midwinter, G. J. Bonner, J. M. Blackham, W. H. Cooper, and G. Alexander. I think Australia will be a long time before she can send another team to equal either of them.

Handsomest Cricketers. The two handsomest cricketers whom I ever saw were Messrs. C. F. Buller, Middlesex, and G. Freeman, Yorkshire. R. Daft, Notts, was another fine, lithe, healthy-looking man.

The Adventure of a Stump. I was umpiring at Scarborough last September, 1907, in the match, Mr. C. I. Thornton's England XI vs. South Africans. where Mr. Faulkner bowled hay, the ball breaking the middle stump clean in two. Strange to say, there was no other stump available on the ground, and as it was nearing the tea interval, play was suspended for tea a little earlier than usual. Meanwhile, Mr. R. W. Frank and I procured a few yards of twine and repaired the stump as well as we could, and a messenger was dispatched to the town to buy a new set of stumps. The break in the play thus caused, including the tea interval, was of nearly half an hour's duration. In all my experience I have never seen or heard of such an accident like this in first-class cricket.

I am also reminded of a similar incident which occurred at a school match in Bolton Park in 1864. We lost the ball after we had been playing only a short time, and as it was the only ball we had with us, the game had to be abandoned.

Strudwick and Pilling. The best wicket-keeping that I saw last season, 1907, was that of Strudwick of Surrey, in the match at the Oval, Surrey v Leicestershire. It was a treat to see him stand behind the wicket, and I remarked to his captain, Lord Dalmeney, that Strudwick was a marvel for his inches. He reminded me of the late R. Pilling, who, in my opinion, was the prince of wicket-keepers.

A fine batting display. When umpiring in the Surrey vs. Middlesex match at the Oval last season, 1907, Hayes of Surrey played a really fine and dashing innings of 202. His hitting all around the wicket was magnificent against some first-class bowling and fielding. I greatly enjoyed seeing this batting display, which was worth going miles to witness. This innings made me think of the brilliant batting of Mr. A. N. Hornby in his best days.

A tribute to A. Eccles. It will be interesting to my readers to learn that I have been the recipient of many presents for coaching. One especially that I have always valued highly, and still wear, is a fine diamond ring which was given me by Mr. J. Eccles of Myerscough Hall, Rock, near Preston, for coaching his son. Mr. A. Eccles, who has since played many fine innings for Lancashire. He made one hundred and nine in the Oxford versus Cambridge match in 1898, and here is a tribute to Eccles' batting from the London Press. The Daily Telegraph says, Judging from the splendid innings he played on Saturday, we should take it that the best has not yet been seen of Mr. A. Eccles in the Lancashire In facing Albert Trott, Meade, Young, and Alec Hearn on a wicket that was beginning to recover from Thursday's drenching rain, he was put to a very severe test, out of which he came triumphantly.

Going in first wicket down, he scored fifty-one not out in a hundred minutes. As regards both hitting and defence, his innings was quite a model of how to deal with first-class bowling on a slow wicket. Up to Saturday, the best innings Eccles has ever played in London, or probably anywhere else, was his memorable one hundred and nine in the Oxford and Cambridge match of 1898. During his early days at Oxford, Eccles had the advantage of being coached by Barlow, and that famous professional, a first-rate judge of the game as well as a great player, confidently predicted that he would be a successful batsman.

The best 1907 innings. The best innings I saw played last season, 1907, was that of Mr. P. F. Warner in the Middlesex vs. Knott's match at Nottingham. He went in first and carried his bat through the innings for 65 runs out of a total of 120 runs from the bat. This was on a bad wicket. Worse still after lunch. Which greatly favoured the bowling of Wass, Hallam and Jay Gunn. Mr. Warner played a perfect defensive game against some really first-class bowling on a sticky wicket, and reminded me very forcibly of the late Arthur Shrewsbury, whom I always considered to be the finest batsman who ever lived, on bowlers wickets of this class. After the close of Mr. Warner's innings, I was one of those who went to him and complimented him upon his very fine performance on a really difficult wicket.

Jessop the Marvelous. For hitting any kind of bowling, and for rapid scoring, I have never seen any batsman to equal Mr. G.L. Jessop, Gloucestershire. I remember when umpiring at Harrogate, Yorkshire vs. Gloucestershire match, last season, 1907. I saw Mr. Jessop make eighty-nine in a very short time against some really first-class bowling. In one over, he made twenty off Hurst's bowling. When the over was finished, Hurst turned to me with the remark, Well, he's a regular devil. The better I bowl, the better he hits them. And he asked me how I should have bowled at him in my best days. I replied that I would give it up. This reminds me of a similar remark which the late Tom Emmett, the famous Yorkshire bowler, once made to me in a gentlemen versus players match in the early eighties.

Tom was bowling to Dr. W.G. Grace, who looked like making a big score. In one over, he hit Tom for several fours from good length balls. The latter came to me at mid-off and said, I wish that Longshanks was out, he's a regular devil. The better I place em, the better he paces em. Another wonderful innings by Mr. Jessop was at Nottingham in 1904, when I was umpiring there in the Notts vs. Gloucestershire match. He made 206 in 110 minutes, which so delighted the spectators that they went almost wild. It was a treat to see. There is only one Jessop for his style of batting. The nearest approach to him, in my opinion, being Dr. E. M. Grace in the old days. I consider that the most extraordinary innings for quick scoring that was ever played against first-class bowling was at Hastings at the Gentlemen of the South vs.

Players of the South match on September 2, 3, and 4 of last year, 1907, when Mr. Jessup made 191 runs out of 234 in 90 minutes. He hit five sixes and thirty fours, giving only one chance, a difficult one, when his score was 159. Advice to Bowlers. As I travel about from place to place during the cricketing season, I find that many county cricketers, especially bowlers, think they are much better informed on the game than the old school of players. I found that Atwell, the old Knotts bowler, had also noticed this when we were chatting together at one of the matches at which we were umpiring last season, 1907. Some there are, however, among them who will take a little good advice when it is offered.

A case in point occurred last season when I was umpiring in one of the county matches. As the bowler had been bowling for some time without taking a wicket, I ventured to remark to him that he was bowling a little too fast, as the wicket was rather soft, and that if he would bowl a trifle slower, he would get more spin on the ball, which would accordingly turn more. He took my advice, with the result that, after a few more overs, the wickets began to fall in regular succession. Since then he has thanked me on several occasions for my timely advice. Many bowlers do not adapt their bowling to the state of the pitch or wicket, though this should be their very first consideration. A. Sean, Notts, and Watson, the old Lancashire bowler, were two of the best I ever saw or knew for quickly finding out the pace of the wicket.

A few of the present-day bowlers who, when bowling, use their heads as much as their arms are Rhodes and Hay, Yorkshire, Dennett, Gloucestershire, Hallam, Notts, Blyth, Kent. Trott, Hearn, Tarrant, Middlesex. Meade, Essex. Hargreaves, Warwickshire. Thompson, Northamptonshire. Arnold, Worcestershire. J. N. Crawford, Surrey. And C. M. Wells, Middlesex. Alec Hearn of Kent was a fine head bowler. Also W. Atwell of Knott's.

A Fielder's Good Shot A very curious, if not a unique, incident occurred during the Surrey vs. Middlesex match at which I was umpiring last season. Mr. J. N. Crawford and Hayes were batting when the ball was hit to long on. Mr. C. C. Page smartly fielded it and threw it back with such force that the middle stump of the bowler's wicket was knocked out of the ground. The ball then travelled across to the batsman's wicket and knocked the leg stump down. Each batsman had, however, just got home in his crease at each end. Brown, my fellow umpire, and some of the Middlesex team, like myself, said that they had never before seen such a case, and in my opinion they never will again.

Was he out? A diversity of opinion. It was very remarkable. When J. Eyermonger left the wicket in the Knotts vs. Surrey match at Nottingham last Whip Monday, 1907, when I was umpiring there, to hear the many different opinions expressed as to how he was out. Mr. Knox was bowling to Eyermonger when the off-bale fell to the ground at the exact moment that the ball passed the stumps. Eyermonger lifted his bat, but did not play at the ball, and seeing the bale drop, he walked away to the pavilion without saying a word. Mr. Knox, the bowler, could not tell what had happened. Neither could Mr. Jones, who was batting at the other end. Strudwick, the wicket-keeper, who was standing back, thought the ball might have just grazed the off stump, but could not be certain about it.

Hayes, at short slip, was of the opinion that the ball hit the off stump. Holland, fielding at second slip, said the ball was near the wicket, but did not touch it. Lees, at mid-off, said the ball was several inches from the wicket. Lord Dalmeney, fielding at point. Believed that Iyer Munger hit his wicket, though my opinion from short leg was that he did not do so. In short, it seemed a perfect mystery to us all. A possible explanation was, however, forthcoming shortly afterwards, when John Gunn and I were discussing the case at the wicket whilst waiting for a fresh man to come in. Happening to glance down at the wicket, we both saw, to our great surprise, the same bail drop off again. Though no one was near the wicket, neither was there any wind blowing at the time.

My own opinion is that the stumps were rather too close together at the top, and were compressing the bale too tightly, which had thus been jerked off. Had Eyemonger only had the presence of mind to appeal, there is no doubt that he would have been given not out.

A CAUTION TO BATSMAN I consider it to be a great mistake for a batsman, When he has returned from the wicket, to pass remarks to the other players who have still to bat, such as that the wicket is playing badly, that the bowlers are making the ball turn, etc., as in many instances it disheartens them, especially in the case of young players. I remember umpiring in one of the county matches a few years ago, at which one of the first batsmen was caught early in his innings. Just after lunch, I overheard him telling the other players who had to follow, that the wicket was playing badly, and that it was impossible to make many runs. I was much surprised to hear this, as the wicket was not half so bad as he was making it out to be.

In fact, in my batting days, I should have called it a fairly good wicket, and yet I never saw a worse exhibition of batting from a county team as in this match.

Good all-round cricket. The all-round performance of George Hurst, Yorkshire, in 1906, was extraordinary, when he created a record of 2,385 runs and 208 wickets. A more plucky and hard-working cricketer never went on the field. The same might also be said of Wilfrid Rhodes of the same county. I have at the present time a high opinion of F.A. Tarrant, the Australian and Middlesex player. His all-round cricket for last year, 1907, was very fine indeed, when he made 1,552 runs and took 183 wickets. He is also a smart fielder at slip and from his own bowling. It is rather remarkable that Hurst never did anything very great with the ball in the Test matches.

The South African Cricketers of 1907 I had the pleasure of umpiring in three of the matches of the South African team of last season, and can speak of them as an eye-witness. Being at the wickets, I could note their action and what the bowlers were making the ball do. It is remarkable how much they have improved since their visit here in 1904, and England will have to look to her laurels to win the rubber the next time they visit us, which I hope will be in 1910. They are gentlemen and good sportsmen. I never heard an objectionable expression from any of them, either in 1904 or 1907, and they played together in perfect harmony and good fellowship. I only wish I could make the same remark with regard to a few other teams whose names I could mention.

The South Africans have a capable captain and a good judge of the game in Mr. P. W. Sherwell, who is also one of the best wicket-keepers. They are a good all-round team, with no tail end, And their bowling was an eye-opener. Mr. R.O. Schwartz is a first-class bowler, and one who uses his head very much. His action at the wicket suggests that the ball will break from leg to the off, but it comes in the contrary direction, which is very puzzling to the batsman, and often beats him. Those who saw how Mr. Schwartz stuck up the Yorkshire team at Bradford last July, 1907, will bear me out in this. Some of the Tykes might never have held a bat before. On the slow wickets which we had last season, 1907, the bowling of the South Africans was really magnificent.

Messrs Schwartz, Vogler, White and Faulkner all bowl with a leg-break action and make the ball come in from the off at a very good pace from the pitch, at the same time keeping a fine length. In my opinion, Messrs. Schwartz and Vogler were the best pair of bowlers in England last season. Hallam and Wasse of Knott's following close behind. Should the South African cricketers improve in their batting in the near future, which I have no doubt they will, both England and Australia will have a most difficult task before them to retain their present position.

Strategic Bowling. An English bowler who also used to put much strategy into his bowling. was to be found in Mr. B.J. T. Bozenkett of Middlesex. I saw him when umpiring at the Middlesex vs. Knott's match at Nottingham in 1903. I have stood behind some first-class bowling in my time, but never saw such puzzling balls sent down as those bowled by Messrs. Schwartz and Bozenkett in the two matches named. They each kept a beautiful length, and made the ball almost talk. Their bowling would have dismissed the finest batting team ever got together for very few runs. The following is from Wisden's Cricket Almanac, with regard to Mr. Bozenkett's bowling in the match referred to above. Knott, going in fifty-nine behind, failed in extraordinary fashion against the slow leg-break bowling of Bozenkett, and were all out in ninety-five minutes.

14 13 - My Three Australian Cricket Tours 23:40

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

My Three Australian Cricket Tours The following is an account of my three tours with English cricket teams. My first was in 1881-1882. Along with Alfred Shaw's team of English professional cricketers, composed as follows. Alfred Shaw, Captain, Knott. A. Shrewsbury, Knott. W. Scotton, Knott. J. Selby, Knott. R. G. Barlow, Lancashire. R. Pilling, Lancashire. T. Emmett, Yorkshire. George Ulyott, Yorkshire. W. Bates, Yorkshire. E. Peet, Yorkshire. W. Midwinter, Gloucester. J. Lillywight, umpire. This particular tour took us round the world, as we went first to America, thence to Australia and New Zealand, and back home via the Suez Canal, making various calls en route. I believe this to be the only team which ever left England for Australia with exactly eleven players, and it was very fortunate that we all kept fit and required no reserve men.

Except in one or two upcountry matches. Shrewsbury was too ill to make the journey with us through America, and left England a few weeks later, travelling to Australia via the Suez Canal, where he joined us. I may remark in passing that of this team I am the sole survivor. For fuller information on this matter, the reader is referred to another part of the book. After playing two matches at Holbeck and Nottingham respectively, We left the latter place to join our boat at Queenstown Island on the 17th September 1881. Our train was due to depart at 5.40pm, and the station was packed, a crowd numbering several thousands having foregathered to give us a hearty send-off. We boarded our vessel, the Algeria, of the Cunard Line on the following day, and set sail for America at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

Our passage across was an exceedingly rough one, and it left an indelible impression upon my memory. Bates, Emmet, Lilywhite, Pillingham, myself, suffered severely from Maldomare, and with the exception of a little fruit, could not touch food for several days. The other members of our party were all more or less ill. How we longed to be back in Old Manchester again, with some good solid earth beneath our feet. Pilling caused a laugh by remarking that if ever he got back to England, and anyone asked him to undertake another sea-journey, he should shoot them on the spot. Not one of us was able to get any sleep for several nights, owing to the excessive rolling of the vessel, and upwards of four hundred articles of crockery were broken through the same cause.

A gentleman passenger, who had made eighteen trips across the herring pond, told me that he had never known it to be so rough before. Our voyage occupied fourteen days, and we arrived at New York three and a half days behind Tyne. One of the stewards was heard to remark that there had been more seasickness on this voyage than for twenty-one years. Needless to say, we were overjoyed to find ourselves once again on terra firma, and heartily congratulated ourselves and each other. The customs officials made an exhaustive search through all our luggage, and coming across our cricket bats charged us a dollar each on them, old and new. We of course had to pay up, but did not omit to state our opinions to them on the subject in unmistakable English.

New York impressed me as being a magnificent city, and I was especially struck by the large dimensions of the hotels and other buildings.

The first match of the tour took place at Philadelphia on October 1st, 1881, against the Philadelphians. It ended in an easy win for our side. I was very well pleased with this place. There is an excellent cricket ground with really good wickets. The weather here was very close, the thermometer registering over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit in the shade, and we were compelled to don the lightest clothing in our kit. The people of Philadelphia were very cordial, and gave us a hearty welcome. Our second match was against eighteen of Hoboken and District at Hoboken, and was drawn in our favour. There was a very remarkable difference in the temperature at this place, its being no less than 50 degrees colder than at Philadelphia, and we played in our overcoats, a unique experience.

The third match again took place at Philadelphia, against 18 of the United States, and we won by more than 100 runs. We went on to St. Louis to play our next match, which was against 18 of St. Louis and District, and was drawn. We tried our hands at the great American game of baseball at St. Louis, just by way of a little recreation, but did not care much for the game. The ball travels with great speed and some brilliant catches are made by the regular players. We left St. Louis for San Francisco on October 14th, travelling by the Pacific Railway, and arriving at our destination on the 19th. This was a wearisome journey, and proved to be a very unlucky one for us. As Ulyatt lost a diamond ring, Shaw a large rug, Bates his leather bag and contents, Selby an umbrella, and I lost my black hat.

The last day's railway journey to San Francisco was, however, really grand, and took us along the sea coast. At one portion of the route, our train was run onto a large steamboat, which carried its heavy burden across many miles of water. We found San Francisco. Since destroyed by earthquake and fire, to be a magnificent place, containing some splendid hotels. The one at which we stayed, the Baldwin, was the finest I had ever seen, and one of the most elegantly appointed in the world. At San Francisco, we played a two days match against 22 of San Franciscoan District, which was drawn in our favour. The team included a baseball pitcher, who pitched most of us out in the first innings, Our total being only 98.

In the second innings, however, we profited by our experience, and Ullatt and myself put on 166 before we were separated.

We left San Francisco for Australia on October 22nd by the Australia, a very fine steamship, calling at Honolulu after a very rough voyage which lasted seven days. King Calacana. The Black Monarch of Honolulu was on board our vessel, returning home from a tour round the world. In spite of his colour and nationality, he was a thorough gentleman, and of splendid physique. He spoke English well, and often sent for us cricketers to come into his cabin, where we chatted to him and entertained him with songs. He was especially suited with a song of bass, entitled My Bonnie Yorkshire Lass, which went with a good swing and quite took his fancy. The King received an enthusiastic welcome from his black subjects on landing.

The ship stayed at Honolulu for about twelve hours, which gave us an opportunity of going ashore and taking a look round. We then resumed our voyage, making a second call at Auckland, New Zealand, remaining six hours. We had just time to admire the harbour here, which is a very fine one, before proceeding. When the weather was favourable, We had cricket matches on board and athletic sports. At other times, we amused ourselves with dominoes, cards and quoits, and also held a few impromptu concerts. We landed at Sydney, Australia on November 16th, after an enjoyable voyage of about 24 days.

Sydney Harbour is one of the finest in the world, and is surrounded by magnificent scenery. The committee of the Sydney Cricket Association gave us a very cordial reception on landing, and our first evening in Australia was one long to be remembered for the good fellowship extended towards us. We played a few local matches to begin with, just to get our hands in. The first was at Maitland against 18 of Maitland and District on November 24th and 25th, and was drawn in our favour. The second match took place at Newcastle versus 22 of Newcastle and District, and was also drawn in our favour. Newcastle was the scene of our encounter with the Mosquitos, named elsewhere. For our next match, we travelled about 190 miles from Sydney to a place called Orange.

The journey took us through some of the grandest scenery it is possible to imagine by way of the zigzag railway over the Blue Mountains. I shall never forget it, and should strongly recommend everyone whose lot it is to visit Australia, on no account to miss this trip. On arrival at Orange Station, we found almost the whole of the inhabitants awaiting us, to give us a welcome. They had secured the services of a brass band and a number of torch-bearers. These headed a procession, behind which we were driven, in a carriage and four, in great state, to our hotel. Amid scenes of great excitement and enthusiasm. Here we played against 22 of Orange and District, and won the match in one innings. The wicket was without grass, but nevertheless played fairly well.

My score on this occasion was 62 not out, and I carried my bat through the innings. Our next match was at Bathurst on December 2nd and 3rd, against 22 of Bathurston District. And was a win for our side. We then played 22 of Parramatta and District at Parramatta, which ended in a draw. Speaking of this match reminds me of our opponent's umpire, who was A1 for his own side, and never failed to give them the benefit of the doubts.

I now come to our first big match on December 9th, 10th, 12th and 13th. It was against New South Wales at Sydney. And as will be seen, lasted four days. It was a good match, and we came out the victors by 68 runs. My contribution was 75, for which I was batting most of the first day. Being the first big match of our tour, there was much excitement, and on the second day, Saturday, we had over 20,000 spectators. The Sydney Cricket Ground is, taking it all round, the finest in the world. The accommodation and appointments are excellent.

After a minor match against 18 of Cootamundra, which we won, we next played Victoria at Melbourne. We beat the Victorians by only 18 runs after a most exciting match. Shrewsbury played a fine second innings for 80 not out, and Pete was in excellent form for bowling in this same innings as the wicket just suited him after the rain. Melbourne Cricket Ground is a very fine one. I also like the city. Well laid out streets and imposing buildings meet the eye on every side.

We then had a journey of 600 miles by water to Adelaide, a fine, clean-looking town with an ideal climate. We experienced a rough passage, and many of us were ill. At Adelaide we received a hearty welcome. They have an excellent cricket ground with perfect wickets. Here we played 15 of South Australia on December 23rd, 24th and 26th, the match ending in a draw in our favour. Bates played a good innings of 71, and I made 62. The umpiring at this match was defective, and some bad decisions were given.

We returned to Melbourne to play our next match, which was against the combined teams of Australia on December 31st and January 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 1882. Ullatt played a very fine innings of 87, and I had the misfortune to come out without scoring, the only occasion during the whole tour in a first-class match. For Australia, T. Hooran played a capital innings of 124. After four days' play, the match was drawn. On the last day of this match, January 4th, we had to leave Melbourne for New Zealand, and were so short of time that it was necessary to rush off the cricket ground and take a bee-line for the steamer, which sailed at 6.30. The boat made a call of a few hours at Hobart Town, Tasmania, which is another fine, healthy place, possessing mountainous scenery.

We reached Dunedin, New Zealand after a very pleasant voyage of seven days, and were entertained on board by a troop of genuine Negro minstrels, who, with their songs and music, made the time pass very pleasantly.

Dunedin is a bright, healthy spot situated among some fine scenery. The people received us very heartily. We won our first match, which was against an 18, on January 12th, 13th and 14th by 10 wickets. We then travelled by rail to Uamaru. For many miles, this railway is laid on the side of the mountain, and in some places passes within a very few yards of the edge of the rocks, which descends to the sea thousands of feet below. The knowledge of this gave us a creepy feeling. And we felt much easier in mind when we had arrived safely at our destination. We played 22 of Oamaru, and won the match in one innings. We then went forward by rail along the sea coast to Timaru, where we again played a 22 side, winning by six wickets.

Christchurch was our next calling place, where we played 18 on January 20, 21 and 22, The match being drawn decidedly in our favour. Ulyatt made fifty-nine, and myself seventy-seven. Emmett bowled in fine form. The Christchurch cricketers are the best in New Zealand. I was very favourably impressed with the place, which has a lovely climate. After Christchurch, we journeyed by water sixteen hours to Wellington, and played another drawn match against twenty-two of Wellington and District. The scenery here is very imposing, the cricket ground being surrounded by lofty mountains.

A four days sea trip next took us to Auckland. This was very enjoyable, as the sea was quite calm throughout the voyage. Having a day to spare, a match was arranged at Waikato in the Maori district. The place was reached by an 80-mile railway journey and a 15-mile coach run from Auckland. Here we played a twenty-two, which included a number of Maoris, and curious-looking men they were, with tattooed skins and wearing heavy earrings. The wicket was like a ploughed field, but we won the match. Bates played a very good innings of forty-seven on this vile wicket. The Maoris were highly charmed with Pilling's wicket-keeping, and gave free vent to their admiration. We then returned to Auckland, where we played a twenty-two.

On February 2nd, 3rd and 4th, winning the match by 10 wickets. Shrewsbury batted well for 77 runs. Auckland is another fine, healthy place. Many of the houses are built entirely of wood. This concluded our tour in New Zealand. We were all highly delighted with the country, and brought away with us some very pleasing recollections. The climate is simply ideal. And this, combined with the grand scenery, makes it one of the finest residential parts of the world.

We left Auckland for Sydney on February 7th, arriving back after a five days' voyage. On February 14th and 15th, we played an 18 at Stanmore Park, a few miles out of Sydney. The wicket here was of coconut matting, and played fairly well. The match was drawn in our favour. Our next match was at Sydney on February 17th, 18th, 20th and 21st, against a combined team of Australia. After four days of good all-round cricket, we lost the match by five wickets. Ullatt in the second innings batted excellently for 67. I made 62. Our fielding was rather faulty. The Australians played very fine all-round cricket and well deserved their victory. We next played at Windsor, and won the match. Pete and Midwinter bowled very well.

I made 50 not out. We reappeared at Melbourne on February 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th, when we played the return match against Victoria, which we won by eight wickets. Bates played a dashing innings for 84. Shrewsbury, 72 not out. Bates bowled splendidly. When at Melbourne, We always stayed at the old White Hart Hotel, which was a capital hostelry, clean and homely. It was just like being at home in England. We returned to Sydney from Melbourne, a dreary railway ride of 500 miles, through prosaic scenery made up of woods, bush, and a few worked-out gold mines. At Sydney, we played the Australian team which was to visit England in 1882. The match lasted four days. Viz. March 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th, and we lost by six wickets.

Shrewsbury played very fine cricket for 82-47. This was our last match of the tour at Sydney. The Lancashire residents of Sydney presented Pillingham myself with an illuminated address and a gold medal each before we left. We also had a good send-off from the people at the Oxford Hotel. Where we always stayed when at Sydney.

After leaving Sydney, we proceeded to Melbourne to play the return match against the Australian team which was going to England. This match took place on March 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th and ended in a draw. The full scores were Shaw's team, 309 and 234 for only two wickets down. Australians, exactly 300. Ullert played two fine dashing innings for 149 and 66, though it is only fair to add that he had a little luck in the early part of his first innings. Aye, made 16, and 56 run out. On the following two days, March 15th and 16th, we played a 22-side at Dunnolly on a coconut matting wicket, and won the match in one innings. After we had finished here, We travelled by coach and four to the railway station, a distance of about 16 miles through the bush.

The startling adventures that befell us on this ride are recorded on a previous page. At Ballarat, on March 17th and 18th, we played the last match of our tour, which was drawn in our favour. We played against a very good team of 20. They have a nice cricket ground at Ballarat and some good players. The place is noted for its gold mines, and we had the good fortune to be taken down one of them, and were shown round by the manager. Amongst other things we saw a nugget of gold, weighing two hundred and eighty ounces, and I brought away with me two pieces of quartz, with particles of gold embedded in the crystal, which are still in my possession. The people of Ballarat accorded us a hearty reception and send-off.

We arrived back at Melbourne on March 22nd, and sailed for England the same day, by the Orient liner, Chimberago. Many friends and spectators gathered together to see us start off on our long journey, and wished us a hearty farewell and safe journey. The voyage was uneventful, except for two deaths, those of a young boy and an old lady of sixty, whose remains were buried at sea. This, at any time, is a sad and solemn spectacle, and casts a temporary gloom over everything. We whiled away the time by playing cricket and various other games, and by holding concerts and entertainments. We also joined in sweepstakes for the run of the ship. Our boat touched Naples on May 2, after a pleasant but slow passage of six weeks.

And as I felt rather wearied of sailing, I left the vessel at Naples, and travelled overland for the remainder of the journey, along with Lilywhite, Midwinter, Bates and Peat. We had a good look round Naples, which is a beautiful place, but could not, of course, understand their language, and should have been in a quandary had we not engaged the services of an interpreter. We passed through some glorious scenery on our way home from Naples. and enjoyed this portion of our outing immensely. After spending a few hours sightseeing in Paris, we left for Dover, arriving there at 3.40am on May 5th, and reached London about three hours later. I took train for Manchester, reaching home at about four o'clock in the afternoon, thus completing my long journey round the world.

I had been absent over eight months, and had travelled about 40,000 miles. It had all been most enjoyable, but nevertheless I was glad to get back again to old England. The only fault I had to find with the cricket on the other side of the globe was in respect to umpiring, which was at times bad, and gave rise to a little unpleasantness occasionally.

On arriving back in Manchester, I received a hearty welcome home from a large crowd which had gathered for the purpose. This quite took me by surprise. Shaw, Shrewsbury and Lilywhite, the promoters of the tour, made each of the members of the team a present of a gold medal to keep as a memento. This I wear on my watch-chain at the present time.

15 14 - Second Tour 27:14

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Second Tour I made my second trip to Australia, which also included Tasmania, in 1882 to 1883, as a member of the Honourable Ivo Bly's team of English cricketers. The composition of this team was as follows. Honourable Ivo Bly, Captain. Mr. A. G. Steele, Lancashire. Mr. C. T. Studd, Middlesex. Mr. G. B. Studd, Middlesex. Mr. E. F. S. Tilecoat, Kent. Mr. C. F. H. Leslie, Middlesex. Mr. G. F. Vernon, Middlesex. Mr. W. W. Reid, Surrey. W. Barnes, Knott's. F. Morley, Knott's. W. Bates, Yorkshire. R. G. Barlow, Lancashire. Five of this band have already passed over to the great majority, namely the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th on the list. Seven of the team secured berths in the fine P&O liner Peshawur, which sailed from Gravesend on September 14, 1882.

The remaining five, including myself, left England on the 21st and travelled over land to Brindisi, Passing through some fine scenery en route, especially in Italy. Here we boarded the Pune, a vessel of some 3,000 tons, and left Brindisi at 6 a.m. on September 25th, touching Alexandria three days later. Ours was the very first boat to call here after the war, and the now historic bombardment of Alexandria. A few of our party went ashore for a few hours to see the effects of the bombardment. The havoc wrought by the shells and projectiles which were fired into the town from the guns of the Alexandra, Monarch, Invincible, Penelope, Conda, and other British vessels baffles description. The buildings were completely wrecked, and the place a heap of ruins.

At the request of the British soldiers in charge of the place, we signed our names in a visitor's book. Anchored outside in the harbour were several men of war keeping a look out. The whole scene was most impressive, and one which I shall never forget. We called at Port Said for a few hours next day, and were allowed to land and view the place, and soon afterwards our boat entered the Suez Canal. On October 1st we arrived at Suez, where we found the Peshawar, and went aboard her to join the other portion of our team which had sailed from England. We set sail at 10.30pm of the same day, And the following day found us passing through the Red Sea. The weather was terribly hot about this time, and remained so for several days.

We passed Aidan on the 6th, and on the 9th were in the Indian Ocean, having on this day made 328 miles, the best run of the voyage so far. On the 10th, the stewards of the ship gave a very creditable Nigger minstrel performance for the entertainment of the passengers. On October 13th, we reached Columbo, where our vessel remained for two days, so we improved the occasion by arranging a cricket match with the Columbo CC, playing against an 18. The match was drawn in our favour. I was bowled with a no-ball when my score had reached 10. This is the first and only occasion on which I ever remember being bowled with a no-ball. The natives of Columbo are almost all blacks. The team we played against included several hardy fellows who batted in their bare feet and wore neither pads nor other protection.

Our two days at Columbo were most enjoyable, and we were sorry to leave. We sailed again on the 15th, and at 9.15pm of the same day had a most alarming experience, for the Peshawar came into a violent collision with a large sailing vessel named the Glenroy. We were then about 350 miles out from Columbo. Our ship was cut down almost to the water line, while the Glenroy had her bows smashed in to within half a yard of the water's edge. The excitement which followed the collision was indescribable, and all, including myself, thought we were about to meet with the watery grave. Very fortunately, the damage to the two vessels was all above the water. It was also most fortunate that the sea was calm.

We turned about and put back into Columbo again for repairs, where we were detained for nearly a week. The accident was the beginning of the end with one of our team, poor Fred Morley. He sustained several broken ribs, and did not live long after his return to England. Our systems received a very severe shock, and it was some days before we felt quite ourselves again. This collision is also referred to elsewhere in this book. We left Colombo for the second time on October 24th. On the 28th, and for several days, the sea was very rough, preventing many of the passengers from going below for meals. We held some athletic sports on deck on November 2nd. And on the 10th landed at Adelaide, 12 days overdue, after a protracted voyage of nearly seven weeks.

Owing to the delay caused by the collision, we had to begin play on the same day we landed. We were opposed by a 15 of Adelaide, and the match was drawn. On November 14th we arrived at Melbourne, and met with a very cordial reception. Including a few hearty English cheers for Bates and myself, who were the only two cricketers of the team who had been out to Australia previously. The first evening we were entertained at a supper held in the Melbourne Cricket Club Pavilion. There were also present the Mayor of Melbourne and many of the leading citizens and colonists. Needless to say, we spent a very jolly evening. We played our first match here against Victoria. Mr.

C.T. Studd played a fine innings of 56. Mr. Leslie made a good 51 not out. Bates contributed 48, and myself 44. Our next match was at Sandhurst, against a 22 of Bendigo, on November 22 and 23, which was drawn in our favour. Mr. Steele bowled very well in both innings, Mr. Leslie played another good innings of forty-eight not out, and Mr. C. T. Studd performed the hat-trick. Sandhurst is where the three Australian cricketers, Messrs Murdock, Boyle and Midwinter, were brought out. There are a few gold mines at this place, and we had the pleasure of a visit through the workings of one of them, named the Garden Gully United Mine. Castlemaine was the scene of our next match, against a team of 22 of this district, on November 24th and 25th, and the match was drawn in our favour.

The people here received us very well, and invited us to the theatre in the evening. The performance was advertised as under the patronage of the English cricketers. On Monday, November 27th, the whole of our team was invited to a banquet held in the Melbourne Town Hall. To welcome the return of the Australian cricketers from England. It was a very fine affair, as well as an enjoyable one, and when we left at the close, the company gave us three hearty British cheers.

On December 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th, we played New South Wales at Sydney, winning the match in one innings. Mr. Leslie was in very good form, and made 144. His hitting was a treat to witness. My score was eighty, the pair of us putting on over two hundred and twenty runs for the second wicket. We then went on to Maitland, by water most of the way, and played against eighteen of Maitland and District, which match we won by one innings. Mr. Steele and Bates did most of the bowling on this occasion. We next played at Newcastle, against an eighteen. They have a good cricket ground here, with a fairly good wicket. This match was drawn greatly in our favour. Mr. Reid played a capital innings for 64. Messers Steele and Stud bowled well, the former doing the hat-trick, three wickets in three balls.

Our wicket-keeper had a hand in all three, catching one and stumping two. Our umpire, George Coulthard, had a sunstroke during the match and had to retire. Mr. G.B. Studd and Morley did not play. Owing to illness. Our next match was at Tamworth, a journey of over 200 miles from Newcastle. It was a weary ride and occupied nine hours. This was the first occasion on which a good cricket team had visited the place, and the people received us very heartily. This is supposed to be the hottest part of Australia, and we found the mosquitoes and flies to be very troublesome. Play should have commenced on December 11th. But a severe thunderstorm came on, with heavy rain which flooded the cricket ground, making play quite impossible.

This was a great disappointment, especially to those who had come long distances to see the match. As at Newcastle, a grand dramatic performance was held under our patronage. A banquet was also spread in our honour. There are a few good-sized mountains at Tamworth, and we made the ascent of one of them. The view from the top was glorious, beautiful scenery meeting the eye in every direction. Tamworth is also a good place for game, and some fine shooting and hunting may be had. A few of us accompanied four local gentlemen one morning on a kangaroo hunt. We arose as early as 4.30, each mounted a good steed, and we started off. We enjoyed some excellent sport in our chase after the kangaroos. Which can travel at great speed.

We soon had a kill of a fine specimen of this animal. How I managed to keep my seat astride the horse has always been a mystery to me, as I was quite unaccustomed to horsemanship. I remember that I was very stiff all the next day, and had great difficulty in walking and sitting.

The Tamworth people gave us a good send-off when we left them to proceed to Melbourne. Another long journey of between 800 and 900 miles, accomplished partly by rail and partly by boat. We arrived on December 18th, and had a nice little interval of one week to ourselves for recreation. Some of the team went into the country for shooting, while the others spent the time in sightseeing. Our next match was at Ballarat, against an 18 on December 26th, 27th and 28th. Which was drawn after three days' very good cricket. Mr. Reid was top scorer, with a well-played fifty-five, and Mr. Bly made a good forty-four. Mr. Steele was the most successful bowler. The atmosphere at this place is very clear and healthy, and there are some gold mines, which I mention in the account of my first visit with Shaw's team.

A banquet was held in our honour at Melbourne. On December 29th, which we all enjoyed. The next match was played here on December 30th, and January 1st and 2nd, 1883, against the Australian team. We lost by nine wickets. Mr. Teilcott was our top scorer, with two excellent innings of 33 and 38. G. Palmer bowled splendidly for the Australians. Jay Bonner made 85, his hitting being magnificent. While A. Bannerman, my brother Stonewaller as they called him out there, played two very steady innings for 30-25 not out. We missed several catches in this match, but English teams never feel so well out in Australia as they do at home. I think this is due to the light, which is at times intensely bright and dazzling.

We also felt the need of Morley's bowling. He had never been right since the collision at sea. And was only able to play occasionally after his arrival in Australia. On the 4th of January, we were entertained at a dinner, along with the Australian team, by Sir W. J. Clarke, Bart. It was held at Scott's Hotel Melbourne, and was a big success. The tables were beautifully laid out. I think it was the best occasion of the kind I have ever attended, and we all spent a most enjoyable time.

Our next match was at Launceston, Tasmania, on January 8th and 9th. We had a rough passage, and nearly all on board were bad, including most of the team. A large number of people were assembled on the wharf to welcome our arrival. Launceston is noted for its gold and tin mines. I like it very well. We played against an 18 and won the match in one innings. Mr. C.T. Studd played a splendid innings for 99, when he was unlucky enough to be run out. Barnes bowled well in the first, and Mr. Steele in the second innings. The cricket ground here is surrounded by magnificent scenery. From Launceston, we proceeded through beautiful scenery to Hobart for our next match. We were met at the station by a brass band and a large number of people.

who loudly cheered us as we stepped onto the platform. A four-in-hand break conveyed us from the station to the town hall, where we were received by the mayor and many leading citizens of Hobart. We played an 18 here on January 12th and 13th, and won by seven wickets. The cricket ground is situated in a lovely spot at the foot of Mount Wellington, 5,000 feet. Amid some of the most charming scenery I ever saw. The Hobart Harbour is a very fine one, and the climate ideal.

We arrived back in Melbourne on January 16th after a good passage. This day was extremely hot, being about 108 degrees in the shade. We played our next match against the Australian team at Melbourne on January 19th and following days. Our captain, Mr. Bly, won the toss for a wonder. He had previously lost it twelve times running. We won the match by an innings and twenty-seven runs. Mr. Reid batted well for seventy-five, and Bates played a dashing innings of fifty-five. His bowling was also really excellent, and included a performance of the hat-trick. Messers Palmer and Giffen bowled well for the Australians. Mr. F.R. Spofforth, the Demon Bowler, did not take a wicket this time. The next match took place at Sydney on the 26th, 27th, 29th and 30th of January, 1883 against the Australians, and as we had each won a match, there was great excitement over this, especially as it would decide who should win the rubber, or take the ashes as it was termed.

On the second day, There were upwards of 20,000 spectators on the field. Our captain won the toss, and of course sent his side in to bat. We put together the respectable total of 248 in the first innings. Messers Reid and Tylecott each made 66 and played very good cricket. My contribution was 28. Mr. Spofforth bowled well in this innings. The Australians responded with 218 runs, including a very fine innings by Bannerman of 94. Our second innings only produced 123. Mr. C.T. Studd was top scorer this time with 25. I was batting a long time for 24. This left the Australians 153 to get to win, and most people thought they would get them without much difficulty. Morley and I, however, felt in good bowling form, and got them all out for 83 runs, leaving us the victors by 69 runs.

We thus won the rubber, and brought back the Ashes to Old England. In the second innings, I took seven wickets for 40 runs. I shall never forget the excitement at the close of this match. It reminded me of the occasion when Australia beat England by seven runs at the Oval in 1882. Our team was vociferously cheered by the great crowd, and most of the gentlemen and myself were called out of the pavilion. When I was coming away for lunch, some of the spectators caught me and carried me shoulder high. I received several presents, including a silver cup, also about £25 which was collected for me on the ground. Between 60,000 and 70,000 people witnessed this match. And the gate amounted to about £3,500.

From Sydney, we travelled by water 500 miles to Brisbane in Queensland, and had a very pleasant voyage. The people here turned out in thousands to see us arrive. For the last few miles of our voyage up the river, each bank was lined with spectators, including many children, who cheered us and waved their hands and handkerchiefs. This was the heartiest and most touching reception we had so far had in Australia, and our captain, Mr. Bly, said he felt quite overcome with emotion. This was the first visit of an English cricketing team. Consequently, it was a red-letter day in the annals of Queensland. Brisbane is a beautiful place, but very hot. We played a two-days match, commencing on February 2nd, and won it in one innings.

Mr. Reid played an excellent innings for 84, and Bates played a hard-hitting game for 41. His batting highly pleased the spectators. Bates and I received a good offer to come out here for a few years, to coach and play for Brisbane CC, but we could not see our way to accept. We found the Mosquitos to be very troublesome at this place. Before leaving Brisbane, a grand ball was held in honour of our visit.

We departed on February 6th by steamer for Maryborough, distant about 170 miles, and again received a hearty welcome on landing. We played against 18 on February 8th and 9th, and won the match in one innings. The weather here was frightfully hot. Several of our team were quite overcome by the heat and had to leave the ground for a time. Substitutes being found to take their places until their return. I may remark here that I stood the Australian climate very well at all times, as is proved by the fact that I never missed one match in any of the three tours. Whilst at Maryborough, a dramatic performance was given under our patronage, and on the second night, a grand ball was held in our honour at the Town Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion.

One evening during our visit to Maryborough, the blacks and real natives in this district gave us special entertainment for our benefit, which they called an Aboriginal corroboree. A huge fire was kindled, and the blacks, painted and decorated in the most extravagant style, danced and sang around it, striking fantastic attitudes and going through various evolutions. The King of the Aboriginals was introduced to our captain. We were all highly amused at this performance, which was the first of its kind we had ever seen. This closed our outing to Queensland, which had been most enjoyable.

We left for Sydney on February 11th, and arrived back on the 14th after a pleasant passage. We commenced our next match against a combined team of Australia on February 17th on the Sydney ground. Over 15,000 people witnessed the first day's play. It was arranged that a fresh wicket for each innings could be had if required by either team, so that winning the toss was not so much in one's favour as usual. We lost the match by six wickets. Mr. Steele played a very fine innings for 135 not out. His late cutting was splendid. Mr. C.T. Studd also batted very well for 48. He was quite a favourite in Australia with his fine style of batting. G. Bonner, the big hitter, made 81 for the Australians. He was very lucky indeed, being missed five times.

Mr. J. M. Blackham played two useful innings for 57 and 58 not out. He was carried by the crowd into the pavilion, and well deserved his reception. I never saw him bat so well before. A. Bannerman also played a very good game for 63. Our captain and Mr. GB Studd were the only two on our side who fielded up to their usual form in this match. We were playing four days before an aggregate of about 60,000 spectators.

The last match of this tour took place at Melbourne on March 9th and following days. We lost by an innings and 75 runs. Rain spoiled the wicket for our batting, and the bowling of Messrs G. Palmer and Cooper was too good for us on this sticky wicket. The Melbourne Club gave us a farewell banquet in the pavilion on March 13th, at which we were each presented with a gold locket, and the four professionals also received £10 each. We spent a very jolly evening together.

The four professionals. Barnes, Bates, Morley and myself left Melbourne for England on the 15th of March, the gentlemen following a fortnight later. We sailed in the P&O liner, Niani. The time was passed away on deck with the usual games and sports. These included cricket, quoits and athletic events. In these latter, I was successful in winning the 100 yards race, the hurdle race and the egg and spoon race. I also came second in the high jump. Several first-rate amateur concerts were also held during the voyage. We arrived at Columbo on April 2nd, and as we remained here for nearly two days, we had plenty of time to take another good look around the place. There was the usual large number of black boys here, on the lookout for coins thrown to them by the passengers.

These boys are excellent swimmers and divers, Being quite at home in the water. For a few coppers, they will dive under the keels of the large steamships anchored in the harbour, and think nothing of it. We were most interested in watching them going through their aquatic performances. Our ship left Columbo on April 4th. The sea was smooth and the weather exceedingly hot. On April 11th, we did 315 miles, one of the best runs of the voyage. Arrived at Aden on the 12th. This day we entered the Red Sea, commonly known as passing through the gates of Hell. We passed six large outward-bound steamships on this day, and eight others on the 14th, including a Man O' War. We reached Suez at 9 o'clock on the evening of April the 14th, at which place we four left the ship and proceeded to Alexandria by rail.

After a rest and a tour of inspection, we went forward by steamer to Brindisi, which place was reached on April 21st. After Brindisi, Venice was our next stopping place, where we spent a most enjoyable time. Most of the streets here are of water, as is generally known, and instead of carriages, boat-like conveyances called gondolas are used to convey people to different parts of the city. The buildings are very fine, but strange to say the place is dirty, which proves that abundance of water does not necessarily imply cleanliness. Glass-making is one of the chief industries of Venice, and we were greatly entertained by being shown over some of the many glass works. We left Venice by rail for Paris, which city we reached, on April 25th.

The scenery en route was magnificent. And we also had the experience of passing through the lengthy Montseigny tunnel. We saw as much of Gay Paris as we could in the short space of time at our disposal, and then left for London via Calais and over, reaching the great metropolis in the evening of the 25th. We remained in London overnight, and proceeded home the next day, April 26th, 1883. I was again accorded a hearty welcome home by a large assemblage of my townspeople at the Manchester Central Station, who had got wind of my return and time of arrival. The Melbourne Cricket Club were the promoters of this second tour. They presented me at the close with a gold locket and £10, and also sent £15 towards my benefit match in 1886.

16 15 - Third Tour 31:19

G. Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Third Tour My third and last journey to Australia was in 1886 to 1887, when I formed one of Shaw and Shrewsbury's team of English cricketers. This was a very fine combination, Second only to the Hon. Ivo Bly's team of 1882-1883, which in my opinion was the finest which has ever left England. The following are the names of the cricketers composing the team of 1886-1887. A. Shaw, Captain, Knotts. A. Shrewsbury, Knotts. W. Barnes, Knotts. W. Gunn, Knotts. W. Scotton, Knotts. M. Sherwin, Knotts. W. Flowers, Knott's. R.G. Barlow, Lancashire. J. Briggs, Lancashire. W. Bates, Yorkshire. G. Lowman, Surrey. M. Reid, Surrey. J. Lillywight, Umpire, Sussex. Death has again been busy in our ranks. No less than seven of this team, marked with an asterisk, having since passed away.

A. Shaw, A. Shrewsbury, W. Barnes, W. Scotton. J. Briggs, W. Bates, and G. Lohman.

We left Plymouth in the Orient liner, Cuzco, at noon on the 18th of September, 1886. The sea was rather rough in the Bay of Biscay, causing Gunn, Briggs, Bates, Lillywite, and myself to be placed on the sea-sick list. We, however, found our sea-legs in a few days, and settled down in our quarters. We reached Naples on September 25th, and remained for nine hours. This gave us time to go ashore and see the sights. The town itself is only ordinary, but the scenery around is magnificent, including, as it does, that fiery Mount Vesuvius. Port Said was reached on the 29th, but passengers were not allowed to land, as cholera was prevalent. Here we again saw the blacks diving for money. and heard their monkey-like chattering.

We also noticed many ships of the desert, as well as the more familiar kind. We then entered the Suez Canal, through which vessels are only allowed to steam at the rate of five knots an hour, as the canal is very narrow in parts. Suez was touched on October 2nd. We were now having our usual sports each day. When playing cricket, we had five balls and run, i.e., If no run was scored in five balls, the batsmen had to retire. This was a source of great amusement to the passengers. In the evenings, we held concerts, and as our team included several good singers, these were very successful. Gunn, Scott and Sherwin, and myself contributed to the programme. On the 6th, a death occurred on board, that of a child a year old, and a few days later, an old lady of 70 died.

Both were buried at sea, always a most pathetic and solemn spectacle. On October 8th, we arrived at Aden. A few of us took a walk ashore, late in the evening, when we witnessed a unique sight. Most of the natives were asleep in the streets, lying here and there in all positions like so many sheep. On the 10th, we sighted several large whales, which caused some excitement amongst the passengers. Many of whom had never seen a whale before. We also frequently passed schools of porpoises at about this date. The second-class passengers gave a concert on the 12th, which was much enjoyed. We were now in the Indian Ocean, and crossed the line on this day. On the 13th, the crew entertained us by having fire practice.

The fire bell rang, and immediately the crew were running about in all directions, each to his particular duty. Which would devolve upon him if fire were to break out on board. We also enjoyed good fun each morning by having a sweep for the run of the ship. Small bets were made on the result, to add a little excitement to the fun. Whist tournaments were also held at intervals. The weather was rather rough on the 16th, and the sea choppy, which again caused several of us to have qualms in the region of the stomach. And prevented us from filling our usual places at the saloon table. We witnessed some glorious sunsets about this time. On October 21st, more athletic sports were held, and were greatly enjoyed.

The Potato Race was won by Briggs, Reed second. The Hopping Race was won by myself, Briggs second. Trial of Strength was won by Sherwin, Gunn second. Tug of War. The first-class passengers beat the second-class. There were twelve aside. Most of the cricketers were in the winning team. Hop, stride and jump. Gunn won this, a gentleman named Bruce being second. The walking race was won by myself, Mr. Bruce being again second. The winner of the hurdle race was Gunn, Mr. Bruce second. I won the five minutes go as you please, and Mr. Galbraith coming in second. Bates and myself won the three-legged race, Briggs and Scott in second. The long jump was won by Gunn. I consider that I did fairly well to win five first prizes.

Gunn was also very successful. The prizes were of considerable value and well worth winning. On October 26th, a fancy dress-board was held in the evening. It was a splendid affair, and surprised us all. On the following night, October 27th, a nigger minstrel performance was presented. The troupe were Messrs. Shaw, Gunn, Sherwin, Scotton, Flowers, Bates, Briggs, and myself from among the cricketers, and Messrs. Mackenzie, Bruce, and Christian of the other passengers, with Mr. Wallet as accompanist. We were a comical sight with our black faces. The entertainment went off in fine style and delighted all the passengers, who passed a very favourable verdict upon our singing. Gunn was the tambourine, and Sherwin the bones, and they took their part so well that some of the passengers remarked that they might have been professional minstrels.

On October 29th, our long voyage came to an end, and we landed at Adelaide, Australia. We got to business the following day, and played a match against 15 of South Australia, which was drawn in our favour. Shrewsbury just made his hundred. Though it was not one of his best innings. Barnes made eighty-two, and batted very well. I was again most favourably impressed with Adelaide, which is a nice, clean, healthy town.

We left on the 3rd of November for Melbourne by the Overland Route, which had at that time only been open a few months. On our arrival, we put up, as usual, at the old White Hart. We played our second match, which was against Victoria, on November 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th. After four days of very good cricket, this match was also drawn. Mr. T. Horan, Victoria, played a remarkably good innings of 117 not out. He is a fine sportsman, one of the best in Australia, and also a clever writer on cricket. Barnes batted very well for 109. And his placing of the ball on the offside was a treat to see. I made 86, and Flowers played a good innings for 53. Lowman was in fine form with the ball, and in the second innings took eight wickets.

I have spoken about Melbourne and its cricket ground in the accounts of my earlier tours. But since my last visit, four years ago, they had made many improvements. The new grandstand on the ground is one of the finest I have seen. Our next match was at Parramatta, against an 18, on November 12th and 13th. After a good match, we won by 23 runs. The wicket was bad, consequently the scoring was low on both sides. The bowling and fielding of our opponents were, however, really first class, and came as a surprise to us all. We next played NSW at Sydney, on the 19th of November. This match was over in two days, and we lost, to the astonishment of everyone, as the Sydney team was rather weak. Their bowling and fielding, however, were excellent.

We now had an interval of three days, and several of us occupied our time in an inspection of Sydney's fine harbour. I have elsewhere spoken of this as being one of the finest in the world. The same remark also applies to the cricket ground here. Since I was last over, They had carried out many alterations and improvements. I like Sydney very well. It is more home-like than any other place in Australia. We played our next match at Goulburn, on the 24th, against 18 and won in one innings. The wicket was of coconut matting, and played fairly well. The welcome we received here was very practical. A brass band met us at the station, And in the evening, a dramatic performance was held under the patronage of the English cricketers.

We found flies and mosquitoes to be very troublesome at this place. Our next match was at Kootamundra against 22 on November 29th and 30th. This time we won by 10 wickets. Flowers performed the hat-trick, taking three wickets with as many balls. At 3 a.m. on the morning of the 30th, There was a slight earthquake, lasting several seconds. It was felt all over the town, and awakened most of the inhabitants. It caused the walls and windows to shake and rattle, and the glasses and ornaments to dance upon the sideboards. This was our first experience of an earthquake, and most of us were afraid. We spoke of it for long afterwards, and shall not easily forget it. Cootamundra was the place where the amusing umpire episode took place which has been quoted in many books on cricket.

The local mayor was umpire, and Briggs, having run out a batsman very easily, appealed. Instead of the expected decision, out, being given, the pseudo-umpire replied, "'Damn good bit of field in that, wasn't it?' As a second appeal only brought forth the same remark, "'Sure, our captain said, Oh, let him go on batting, and the batsman was allowed to have another innings. The umpire's reply provoked much laughter at the time, and has proved a source of merriment whenever related. The last-named match was played on a concrete wicket. We next played eighteen juniors of Sidney and District on December 3rd, 4th and 6th, and won by an innings and 131 runs. This was followed by a match at Lithgow, The journey to this place is by the Zigzag Railway over the Blue Mountains, and passes through some magnificent scenery.

I have referred to this previously. Visitors to Australia should not miss this trip. We next played a return match against New South Wales at Sydney on December 11th, 12th and 13th. Which we won by nine wickets. Shrewsbury played a very fine innings for 62, and Lowman made a good 40 not out. The two umpires gave some very bad decisions against us in this match, although we won easily.

We had to cover a long journey of over 500 miles to Melbourne to play our next match, which was against the Australian team on December 17th, 18th, 20th and 21st. We won this match by 57 runs, after four days of very good all-round cricket. The umpiring here was again defective, and several bad decisions were given. Geelong was the next on the list, where we played an 18 on December 23rd and 24th, which ended in a draw in our favour. I made my first century in Australia on this occasion, my score being 104. Shrewsbury played a capital innings for 70. Geelong is a fine, healthy place. The people gave us a hearty reception. We next proceeded to Ballarat, where the gold mines are, mentioned in one of my previous tours.

We found many people at the station, awaiting our arrival, and they received us with a few good English cheers. The match here lasted three days. December 27th, 28th and 29th, against 20 of Ballarat, which included some good players. We won in one innings. Reid played a dashing innings of 121. Gunn made 48, and myself 45. I spent an enjoyable time at this place, on each occasion that I visited it. We played our return match against the Australian team at Melbourne on January 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th, 1887. It was drawn in our favour. Barnes played very fine cricket for 93. Gunn also batted well in both innings, and made 48 and not out 62. His style of batting was very much admired out there.

The long journey to Sydney was again undertaken. To play our third match against the Australian team on January 7th, 8th, 10th and 11th. We spent 19 hours in the train. We won by nine wickets. Briggs was in good form with the bat and made 69 runs. Reid's score was 53, and mine 23. Barnes bowled splendidly in both innings. We next went on to Bathurst to play on January 14th and 15th. The match was drawn in our favour. This place will always be remembered by us on account of the heartiness and hospitality of the people. The population is about 12,000. We were warmly received at the station, and on the Saturday they gave us a complimentary dinner in our honour. We had a day to ourselves here which we occupied, some of us in kangaroo and possum hunting, and others in driving.

All together we spent a most enjoyable time at Bathurst. We played our next match at Orange against a 22 on January 17th and 18th. The wicket was of coconut matting and played rather badly. The match was drawn in our favour. We should have played at Yas on January 21st and 22nd, but much to the people's disappointment, it rained heavily on both days and prevented play. A concert was held in the evening, at which Gunn, Sherwin, Scotten, Briggs and myself took part. The audience were very pleased with our singing, and we were each presented with a silver medal. Our next match was at Bowerall, on January 24th and 25th, against a 22. It was a draw as the rain stopped the play early in the game. The match following was also drawn at Camden, on January 26th and 27th.

Rain again putting a stop to the play in good time. The combined Australian eleven were our next opponents at Sydney on January 28th, 29th and 31st. It was a most exciting match, and we won by the narrow margin of thirteen runs. Barnes and Lowman both bowled well for us, and Turner and Ferris for the Australians. The wicket was rather queer, so that the bowlers had it their own way a little.

A journey of six hours by water and ten hours by rail conveyed us to Narrabri, where we next played, on February 4th and 5th, against a 22 side, the match ending in a draw in our favour. Flowers batted well for 63. Shrewsbury scored 53, and myself 44. A gentleman named Mr. Moseley was very kind and hospitable to us at this place. One treat he had arranged for our entertainment, was in engaging a native to throw the boomerang, that curved weapon which always returns to the feet of the thrower after having accomplished his object. We were greatly astonished by this exhibition. We found the weather exceedingly hot at Narrabri, and the flies and mosquitoes very troublesome. Many of the houses are built of wood, and grapes grow in great profusion.

The names given to the railway stations on the local line are most extraordinary, the following being a few of them. Werris Creek, Boggerbury, Turrawan, Barmbar, Gunnedah, Brizah, Curlewis, Worata, Lokimvar, Quirinde, Quipoli, Curabuanla, and Mururundi. The porters here must have a lively time in calling out the names of the stations. Our next match took place at Armidale, or as it is called here, New England. We played a 22 on February 7th and 8th, and again made a draw in our favour. Flowers was the top scorer, with 54 well played. I made 38. The climate here is very agreeable. The people received us most heartily. During our visit, an amateur entertainment was held in aid of the Cricket Pavilion Building Fund.

The committee asked us English cricketers if we would take part in it, and we willingly consented. Gun, Sherwin, Scotton, Reeds, Briggs, and myself gave the anthem, How Beautiful Upon the Mountains, also several songs and a trio, Tell Me Shepherds. I contributed, when other lips, and receiving an encore, replied with my cricket song. The efforts produced close upon £100, and the committee were so pleased with the result That they presented us each with a gold medal. It is scarcely necessary to add that we all enjoyed our visit to Armidale. We played our next match at Newcastle on February 10th, 11th and 12th, against an 18, which resulted in a draw in our favour. Reid was in capital form with the bat, and knocked up 72.

I made 42 run out. They have some very good cricketers here, and a fine ground. Newcastle is noted for its coal mines. One pit, named the Wall's End, yields more coal than any other in the world. The average daily output for the last few years having been 2,000 tonnes. We next played 18 of Singleton at District at Singleton on February 14th and 15th. This was also drawn in our favour. The wicket here was of coconut matting, which did not play so well as some others we had tried. There are some splendid vineries at Singleton, and grapes are very plentiful. The people made us most welcome, and were very hospitable towards us.

We then returned to Sydney, the journey including six hours by water, and several hours by rail. We played there against New South Wales on February 18th, 19th and 21st, and lost by 122 runs. Reid was top scorer. And played two dashing innings of 48 and 40. Shrewsbury got a pair of spectacles, something most unusual for him. These were the first pair he had ever made, from what he told me. Turner bowled in first-class style. The following match was also played at Sydney, against the combined Australian team, on February 25th, 26th, 28th and March 1st. We came out the victors by 71 runs. Lowman bowled well, taking ten wickets. I was top scorer with 34 and 42 not out. We went on to Melbourne for our next match against Victoria, and having a day's interval to ourselves, we attended the races and saw the Australian Cup run for.

It was one of the finest sights I ever saw. We began play on March 4th, and the match lasted into the fifth day, March 8th. We won by nine wickets. Shrewsbury played one of his very best innings for 144. Bates, in the second innings, played a dashing game for 86, which pleased the spectators immensely. Aye made 43 and four not out. Our next match was also played at Melbourne, against 15 of East Melbourne Club on their own ground on March 11th, 12th and 14th. This was drawn in our favour. Lohman played a fine free game for exactly 100. Scotton played a useful innings of 71, myself 24. We then proceeded to Sandhurst, to play against an 18 on March 15th and 16th. This match also ended in a draw.

Reid was in good form with the bat, and played a fine hitting innings for 140. Briggs made forty-three, and myself forty-six. We again played on the East Melbourne Club ground, at Melbourne, on March 17th, 18th, 19th and 21st, in the Smokers vs Non-Smokers match, and I cannot do better than adopt the words of Felix of the Melbourne Australation regarding this match. He wrote, I must congratulate my fellow non-smokers on our magnificent achievement against our friends the smokers. Our score of 803 for nine wickets stands alone, unprecedented in aggregate and brilliance. This score will be forever memorable in the annals of cricket, for it beats the record of the world in first-class cricket, and against some of the very best bowling we have.

There were only three byes recorded in this long score. Shrewsbury's innings of 236 was very fine indeed. His cutting, leg-hitting, and driving were faultless and finished. He only gave two chances, one to the wicket-keeper and the other to Boyle at cover point. Gunn's innings of 150 was a perfect one in every way, and his hitting on the offside was a treat to witness. Bruce played very fine cricket for his score of 131. I made twenty-nine. I was lame in the foot, and had to have a runner and could not bowl in this match. The Smokers' scores were three hundred and fifty-six and one hundred and thirty-five for five wickets. Thus, the match was drawn after four days' play in our favour, the non-Smokers.

Palmer was in good batting form and put together one hundred and thirteen. Our little friend, Briggs, made two good scores of eighty-six and fifty-four. His hitting pleased all present. We left Melbourne for Adelaide by train on March 22nd. There were many Victorian cricketers and others on the platform who had gathered to bid us farewell. We played our last match at Adelaide on March 24th, 25th and 26th, 1887, against 15 of Adelaide and District, ending in a draw in our favour. Briggs and I each made 53. And Reed, 44. Jarvis of Adelaide played well for 77. We sailed for Old England on March 27th by the fine P&O liner, Massilia. The captain's name was Shallard, a very nice fellow. The first few days of the voyage were calm.

Consequently, we were all good sailors for the time being. We touched King George's Sound, or Albany, for about nine hours on the 30th. When most of us took a walk on shore. Our ship left again at midnight on the same day, the weather having changed for the worse in the meantime, and the sea being very rough. Many of us were again seized with the dread complaint, and were compelled to go upon starvation diet until things became quieter. The vessel rolled a great deal, so that we could neither eat nor sleep, and we were all thankful when, in a few days, we got away from the rough weather. On April 5th, the run was 332 miles, which took us into the tropics, where it is quite fine and bright one hour, and the next it is raining in torrents.

We were now amusing ourselves during the daytime, with cricket and other games, and in the evenings by holding concerts. On the 8th, a concert was held in the saloon, at which I sung, When Other Lips. On April 9th, we witnessed the finest sunset that it had ever been our good fortune to see. It was simply too magnificent to put into words. In the evening, a Christie minstrel performance was held for the benefit of the Seaman's Orphan Fund. The cricketers who took part in it were Gunn, Sherwin, Scotton, Bates, Briggs, and myself. Mr. Clarke, a professional banjoist, also took part, and was quite a host in himself. Sherwin and Gunn manipulated the tambourines in a very creditable manner, and I contributed two songs.

Church service was being held on board each Sunday, Gunn, Scotton, Reed, and myself being in the choir. Columbo was reached on Easter Monday, April 11th, where we stayed two days. We, of course, landed and took another good look around the place, and had some fine fun with the darkies. Several large men-o'war were anchored at this port, and I had the interesting experience of being shown over one of them named the Bacchante. This was the ship in which the two young princes, George and Leopold, made a tour round the world. We left Columbo on the following day, the weather being very calm, and the sea like a mill-pond for several days. A whist tournament was being held on the Thirteenth. Which was won by Messrs Graves and Shrewsbury.

Also a Calcutta sweep on the 14th, the first prize being close on £20. This was won by a gentleman named Cook. We kept our hands in at cricket by playing on deck almost every afternoon. On April 16th our vessel made 315 miles, and on the 17th 312 miles, the weather being very hot and the sea smooth as glass. The coast of Africa came in sight on the 18th, and we reached Aden on the 19th, where I and a few others landed for a short time. Another Calcutta sweep was held on the 21st, the lucky winner on this occasion being our friend Bates, who cleared about £21. Our final athletic sports were held on April 22nd. They were discontinued owing to many of the cricketers declining to take part in them.

The most successful competitors on this last occasion were Messrs. Crossland and Gunn. On April 23rd, the second-class passengers gave a concert which was, without doubt, the best entertainment I have ever attended on board ship. The artistes included two professionals, a Mr. and Mrs. Clark, who were really first-class. We reached Suez on April 24th, but passed on through the canal without landing. The latter being illuminated at night by the electric light. At 5.30 the following morning we arrived at Port Said, and as we had to wait nearly two days for the Bombay passengers, we went on shore and amused ourselves amongst the Negroes and the Donkeys. Our vessel weighed anchor again on the 27th, and soon afterwards we entered the Mediterranean.

Another whist tournament was held this week. Which was won by Messrs. Graves and Scotten. 306 miles were covered on April 29th, and the next day we had got as far as Malta, where we remained for seven hours. This allowed us to land and inspect the various places of interest on the island, which include the Governor's Palace, the Church of St. John's, the Garrison Library, the Public Library of the Knights, the Beautiful Gardens, and many other. Malta struck me as being a beautiful place, and it possesses a magnificent harbour. We sailed again under very favourable weather conditions, and touched the key to the Mediterranean on the 3rd of May. The few hours our vessel remained here just allowed us time to hire a cab and take a drive round.

The rocky scenery at Gibraltar is very grand, standing as it does 1,400 feet above sea level. And the fortifications appear to be impregnable. On May 5th, the complimentary concert was held by the passengers for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, the professionals before referred to. They had been very good on several occasions in giving their services for the entertainment of the other passengers. Our ship reached the notorious Bay of Biscay on May 6th, which this time belied its reputation and was quite serene. Plymouth was gained on the 7th, after a passage of 41 days from Adelaide, and Briggs and I arrived at Manchester at 1.20am of May 8th, 1887, and were soon at Home Sweet Home.

Thus ended my third and last tour to Australia. I think I can say that it was the most enjoyable of the three. The umpiring and other matters incidental to cricket were also much more satisfactory.

17 16 - Hints to Umpires 10:20

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HINTS TO UMPIRES Some remarks on umpiring will not, I think, be out of place. I speak as a present-day county cricket umpire, and one with an experience of many years. Umpiring at the present day is much better than it used to be. One reason is that all umpires are now strictly neutral, and never umpire at matches in which their own county is engaged, as was formerly the case. A second reason is that they have more matches, which gives them unlimited practice and confidence. Umpiring, like cricket coaching, is a profession to itself, requiring plenty of practice and experience, as will be readily understood by all followers of the game. The position of umpire is a thankless one, and at all times very trying, as it is impossible to please both sides.

The umpire has not yet been born who can always do this. The only safe rule to follow is to give your decisions according to the dictates of your conscience, without fear or favour. A cool head and an even temper are also very necessary qualities in an umpire. He should have a thorough knowledge of the laws of the game. And should have been a county player himself, or have played some years in good club cricket, and have had practical experience. It is well to remember that an umpire will find it safer to have the rules at his finger-ends. I know several umpires who never go out to officiate before first reading the rules, and in fact I often read them over myself, although I know almost all the cricket laws off by heart.

When umpiring, you should stand perfectly still, because if you move about you may attract the attention of the batsman and lead him to make a miss-hit. You must watch that the bowler does not go over the bowling crease, and he must deliver the ball with one foot on the ground behind the bowling crease and within the return crease. If you see any breach of either of these rules, you must call no ball, though you should wait until the ball has left the bowler's hand. On giving a decision, the umpire should make sure that the batsman understands what the decision is. I must say one thing especially is necessary, and that is for umpires to learn to fix their attention immediately upon the game in hand, for unless they give their whole attention to it, their opinions will not be worth very much.

But besides the possibility of becoming a fine judge of the game by looking on, there are difficult points that will arise which can only be thought out by those who have had the opportunity of playing in first-class cricket. Much may be learned by going to watch a first-class cricket match, and if any of my readers are thinking of umpiring, I would advise them to go to a first-class match and concentrate their attention upon the umpires. There are many who go to pick up hints as to fielding, batting or bowling, but many who umpire or captain local teams might learn a good deal by watching how trained umpires go about their work. The most difficult thing is to give a man out, leg before wicket.

Many first-class umpires find it a hard matter. This I can speak of from my own experience. It is the one particular decision about which the batsman and bowler will rarely both be satisfied. I have found batsmen who would calmly tell you that the ball did not pitch straight, or else that it would not have hit the wicket had it not broke or twisted. I will just give one case in point, where cricketers alter their opinions with regard to umpires. I was umpiring some few years ago in a county match, and when I arrived at the ground on the Thursday morning, A few of the cricketers asked me who the other umpire was. When I told them, they all seemed pleased, and said, A very good one, too. We have had him standing in two of our matches this season, and he did very well, and made other favourable remarks to his credit.

When this very match was over, which they had lost, I remember going into their dressing-room on the Saturday night, and overhearing the same cricketers who had spoken so well in this umpire's favour only a few days before, calling him all kinds of names, such as a bad umpire, and saying that he had given some very wrong decisions, and that they hoped they would not have him again, and so on. Of course this is all in the game, and speaking again from long experience, there is not much in it at the end of each season with regard to the umpire's decisions. Sometimes a batsman will be given out when he is not out, and sometimes he is given not out when he is out. As the late Arthur Shrewsbury of Knott once said to me, it cuts both ways for all cricketers, and one never ought to grumble so very much.

I often think of his words now that I am umpiring. An umpire has his good and bad days, like the batsman and the bowler. He should have a good eye and a quick ear. I remember in 1884, playing for Lancashire against Cheshire at Stockport, when I was caught at the wicket off my glove from Sam Brown's bowling. Several made the appeal, but I was given not out by their own umpire. This was before I had scored. In fact, it was the third ball I received. I went on batting after this, and made my hundred runs. All umpires make mistakes at times which cannot be avoided. But of course, the best are those who make the fewest. It should be a rule never to argue with the batsman whom you have given out, as this is certain to create an unfavourable impression, and no good can possibly result.

County cricket umpires belong to a profession and an honourable one. Great interests are at stake, and they have to devote much time and trouble in making themselves proficient.

The following cutting contains a few remarks made by Captain McCandless of Kent, an old county cricketer, on the subject of umpires, and I endorse every word. Captain McCandless is strongly of opinion that umpires are often blamed without sufficient reason. People do not realise how difficult it is to act as umpire, he said, and I think it would be a good thing if some of those who are perpetually finding fault would have a try to see what they could do themselves. I'll be bound that they would afterwards be much more moderate in their opinions. In connection with the misjudging of umpires, I was told a little anecdote by Jim Lillywite about Jupp. Now Jupp, in his day, used to be very free in expressing his dissatisfaction with decisions that did not accord with his desires.

When he left off playing, he acted as umpire, and one day, after his duties were ended, he said to Jim Lillywite, Do you know Jim? I would like to have all the umpires who used to stand when I played before me and apologise to them.

To illustrate how an umpire can be blamed after giving a good decision, two instances occurred in my own experience when I was umpiring at Brighton in 1902 in a Sussex vs. Knott's match. The first instance was when Mr. G. Brann was batting against Wasse, the Knott's bowler, Oates being the wicket-keeper. The latter, as well as several fielders, appealed for a catch at the wicket, when I at once replied, Not out. Later, when Harry Butt, another Sussex batsman, was batting, Hallam, the bowler, along with some of the fielders, made a precisely similar appeal, to which I again responded, Not out. I afterwards learned that a few of the Notts team had been taking me severely to task among themselves, For giving what they considered to be two incorrect decisions.

Arthur Shrewsbury, with whom I was at all times on the best of terms, also told me, after the close of the day's play, that he considered both of these decisions were wrong, and that in his opinion both men were caught at the wicket. I replied that I could not agree with him, as the ball had, in Mr. Brown's case, hit his shirt sleeve, and in Butts' case the ball just grazed his pad at the knee. This was fully confirmed as the two batsmen named told me the following morning that they had neither of them played the ball, but that it had hit exactly as I had explained to Shrewsbury. I could multiply cases of this kind, though I admit that we are all liable at times to make mistakes. As for myself, I can say that I have, throughout my career as an umpire, given my decisions without fear or favour, No matter whether the appeal has been made against a prince, lord, sir, mister, or pro.

Neither have I ever found cause to withdraw a decision. If I have at any time made a mistake, it has been quite unknowingly. I trust that a certain team which came to England in 1899 will please note the few foregoing remarks.

Two new resolutions were passed by the county captains at a meeting held at Lord's Cricket Ground on December 9, last, 1907, as follow. 1. That each umpire selected shall present a certificate or letter of fitness as to the satisfactory condition of his eyesight and hearing from a well-known infirmary doctor before his appointment is confirmed. 2. The fact that glasses are worn shall not be a bar to umpiring. I think the county captains were well advised in passing the foregoing resolutions, as it is very important that the man in the white coat should both hear well and see well.

18 17 - Captainship 4:59

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Captainship. A captain should be a good judge of the game. He should also possess an even temper and have a kind word for his men at all times, especially if they miss a catch or make a mistake. I know from experience that no one is more upset than the fielder himself who drops a catch. A captain will get far more out of a bowler by kindness and consideration than by being exacting and overbearing in his manner. A good captain will, if possible, never have two bowlers on together who are alike in speed and delivery. The greater the contrast, and the better. I always advocate a right-hand and a left-hand bowler being on at the same time. The captain should always ask the bowler which end would best suit him.

Captain and bowler should try and discover the batsman's weak points, and place their field accordingly. A captain should, if possible, have one or two left-hand batsmen in his team. I have known them win many matches, as they often upset the field by crossing over, etc., And, again, often put the bowler off his length. Many bowlers cannot bowl quite so well at a left-hand batsman as a right-hand one. In this I am speaking from experience. There are also times when the captain should consult his men with regard to change of bowling and the conduct of the game. The discreet captain will always try and save the bowler all unnecessary exertion when bowling, and never let him run very far in fielding the ball, as it takes very much out of a bowler having to run after the ball.

Then again, no bowler should throw any great distance oftener than he can really avoid, as he might injure his bowling arm by wrenching the muscles. I have known this to occur several times in my career. Causing the bowler to be off duty for several days at a time. I remember some years ago, Alan Hill, the old Yorkshire fast bowler, injuring his arm by throwing the very first ball from Longfield, which prevented him from bowling again for some weeks. There is more in a good captain than many people are aware of. I have frequently seen matches lost through bowlers being put on to bowl on wickets, which did not suit their particular delivery and speed, and also through not changing the bowlers and fielders at the right moment, for the batsmen's different styles of play.

How much a captain can do, and how far he can go towards imbuing his team with the proper spirit necessary for success, can scarcely be estimated. But I do know that captains can do much by force of example. Instances of this have been found in Messrs. I. D. Walker, A. N. Hornby, and J. Schutter. Mr. W. L. Murdoch, the Australian captain, was another of this kind. In my opinion, it is a mistake for a captain to advise a batsman, as is done at times, to play in this or that style. It is often quite contrary to what the batsman has been accustomed to, and he will not unfrequently lose his wicket through it, as I have seen them do many times, and have heard the players afterwards say that they wished the captain had allowed them to play their own game.

It is a great mistake to fidget any batsman just before he goes in to bat. Many batsmen cannot alter their style. It takes a first-class player to do this, and play according to the state of the game. And the condition of the wicket. I have often noticed grave mistakes made by captains, and I feel convinced that captainship has deteriorated since the old days. Of course there are some good men left yet, but, taking them all round, I do not compare with the old school of captains, of whom I might mention Lord Harris, Kent, Lord Hawke, Yorkshire, Messrs. A. N. Hornby and A. G. Steele, Lancashire. I. D. Walker and A. J. Webb, Middlesex, J. Shooter, Surrey, S. M. J. Woods, Somersetshire, and the late W.

Oscroft, Nottinghamshire. The last-named was the best professional captain I ever saw, and a fine judge of the game. The late R. Daft and Mr. J. A. Dixon, Notts, were also good captains. At the present day, in my opinion, the three best captains are Messrs A. C. McLaren, Lancashire, A. O. Jones, Nott, and G. MacGregor, Middlesex. These might be called Bourne Captains.

19 18 - Hints to Young Cricketers 26:46

Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Hints to young cricketers on batting, bowling, fielding, and wicket-keeping. Batting In penmanship, the young pupil has first to be taught how to hold his pen. So, in cricket, the learner should first know how to handle his bat. And while those who know how to do so may smile at this elementary advice, those who do not will be glad to be informed. It is a general opinion amongst the best batsmen, and one which I endorse, that an average-sized man should grip the handle of the bat by the middle, the circumference of which should be in proportion to the size of the hand. From my own experience, I have always found it to my advantage to hold the bat halfway up the handle. And to keep it off the ground, poised pendulum fashion, in order to be prepared for either forward or back play.

This, in my opinion, gives the greatest scope for freedom of play without diminishing the powers of defence. The weight of the bat should stand in close relation to the batsman's strength. From 2lb 2oz to 2lb 8oz will represent a range which will suit all players. When batting, take a firm hold with your right hand, keeping your left hand rather loose, that it may be twisted round or half round as the case requires. At the same time, always keep the bat handle well forward, as by so doing you will keep the balls down much easier. Although a few hours of good professional coaching is of more value than volumes of book learning, yet written instructions may be studied when practice cannot be had.

Now the batsman's motto should be that of the British volunteer, viz. Defence, not defiance. Let him first take care of his wickets, and the runs will take care of themselves. It must not be supposed that I am tendering advice to such skilled hands as the Hon. F. S. Jackson, Messrs C. B. Fry, A. O. Jones, R. E. Foster, P. F. Warner, P. Perrin, and Tom Hayward, G. Hurst, J.T. Tildesley, J. Iermunger, D. Denton, E. Arnold, F.C. Holland, and many others, who are better able to take care of both wickets and runs than I am to tell them how. This is addressed to those who desire to emulate the cricketers named. It is a virtue in cricket to consider your side more than yourself, and he is beyond dispute a most desirable partner.

who has the fortitude, patience, and endurance to go in first and come out last. Though he may not have increased the score to any great extent by his own batting, he has been the means of enabling all his fellows to add to the grand total. I would advise all young batsmen to practise the defence of the wicket as much as possible for the first few years, and learn the various strokes all around the wicket, before beginning to do much at hitting. When you do hit, however, hit as hard as you can, but this will come to you with practice and experience, and a little good coaching. There is not so much leg-hitting today as formerly, Owing to the present-day bowlers bowling so much to the offside. But whenever you get the opportunity for a leg hit, put your left foot a little to the left side, and hit the ball as squarely as possible in front of your left toe.

When the ball is just outside your legs on the leg side, my advice is to turn it off in the direction of long leg, or gliding it down as many cricketers term it. Always stand as upright as possible. And do not lose half an inch of your height when batting. The more you can look down upon the ball, and the better you will see it. At the same time, you will get over the high balls much better in order to keep them down. Remember once more that patience and defence are everything in batting to the young beginner. I hope that it will not be considered self-laudation if I emphasise the advice already given by mentioning the fact that few batsmen, if any, Have gone in first and come out last as frequently as myself.

Attitude and position are no small factors in the make-up of a good batsman. First acquire a position which suits you, and is at the same time not incorrect. Stand with the right leg quite firm, the right foot six or eight inches inside the crease, with the toes in a line with the leg stump. Which line should always be marked when practising, say from the leg stump to about three feet outside the popping crease? And when playing forward at all balls on the wicket, the left toe should be up to this line. By this means your body and your bat will come straight to the ball. Remember to keep your right foot firm as a rock when playing forward, or you may easily be stumped. Make it the pivot, on which every movement of the left leg, arms and body may turn with ease, rapidity and precision, and be ready to stride well forward, backward, to the on or to the off side, as the exigencies of the moment may require.

The muscles of legs, arms and wrists should be relaxed, that being the most favourable condition for sudden action. Stand with your bat full face to the bowler, Protecting the leg and middle stump, having the handle well forward and down, though not so much so as to hinder your quick recovery in case of making a hit. Bring the left shoulder well round, with your face looking over that shoulder. You are now prepared for the attack, and ready to deal with the ball in whatever manner it may be delivered. Whilst admitting that cricketers are not like poets, born not made, I must maintain that many natural qualities may be, and undoubtedly are, of great advantage. Not the least of these is a keen and quick vision, which if not possessed naturally, must be trained to the highest perfection attainable, by practising the eye to follow objects, and especially cricket-balls, in rapid motion.

In my own experience, I take it as an indication of being in good health and form when a cricket ball is as readily seen as a football. Practice must be against the best and most varied bowling that it is possible to get, and let your practice wicket be as good as your match wicket. You cannot be too particular about this. I am sure you will not make much improvement in batting if you do not have good practice wickets to play on. I would recommend having a matting wicket for practice if you cannot get a good turf wicket. I have often played in matches in Australia on these matting wickets, and some of them played very well. When at practice, play just as keenly as when in a match. In my young days, I often put a sixpence on the stumps, telling the bowlers that they could have it if they knocked it off.

This caused both bowlers and myself to play very keenly. And made very fine practice. Young players should never go in to bat, either at practice or at matches, without first putting on both leg guards and both batting gloves. The fewer knocks you receive, and the better you will enjoy the game. Some players say that they cannot hold the bat so well with batting gloves on, but this is only for want of practice. Personally, I would never bat on either good or bad wickets without wearing leg guards and batting gloves. Also be careful to have a bat of the correct weight and size. See that it is well balanced and not too heavy. I say more on this matter in another place. I also strongly advise having a rubber cover or sleeve over the bat handle, as this gives a better grip and prevents your hands from slipping.

I know that some of the masters and professional coaches at the schools are not so particular as they should be about these little matters. When coaching boys, I think that it is a great mistake to bowl them out too often, as it disheartens them. They should be encouraged as much as possible. Give them a few balls which they can hit, and a cheering word now and then, such as, well hit, well played, etc. I should now like to say a few words about forward play, which always was, with me, a hobby. Some may think I have ridden it rather hard, but I consider that this style of play does not receive the attention it deserves. I would therefore, in all cases of doubt as to whether to play a ball forward or backward, adopt the former, and avoid the mistake frequently made by young players of putting the right leg across to an off-ball.

This is wrong, as it is the left leg which should be thrown across to the offside to hit in front of point, and the right leg put across to hit the ball behind point when making the cut. In playing forward, get as near to the pitch as possible, and take a long stride, by which means you have a much better chance of killing the good length balls before the break gets on. I have found this method valuable to myself in an experience extending over many years. The batsman putting into practice the foregoing advice must of course be careful not to give such wicked-keepers as Lily, Humphreys, Hunter, Oates, Strudwick, Butt, Huysh, and Messrs. Martin and McGregor a chance of stumping him through overreaching himself.

Do not be tempted to lunge out at every ball, nor to trust more to chance than to judgment. When the pitch or wicket is hard and fast, play often forward than backward. But on a soft or sticky wicket, when the ball is turning about, I strongly advise back-play more than forward, and play at the ball as much as possible, and not so much at the pitch on this kind of wicket. When match-playing, never overrun your ground. As I have seen many players do, running yards beyond the wicket, instead of planting the bat just within the crease, and turning at once in hope of another run. Have your bat well in front and along the ground when nearing the popping crease, and always bear in mind that when you hit the ball in front of your own wicket, it is for you to judge the run.

But if you strike it behind, it is your partner who must decide. Your business is to watch your partner and not the ball. It would be equally satisfactory to me as to my reader if I could impart to him the ability to make straight drives for fives and square-leg hits for fours. But I fear the task is beyond the power of my pen, and I must perforce fall back upon my advice to practice, practice, practice with your bat until you have acquired by habit That which pen cannot write nor tongue explain. Finally, when match playing, always have confidence in yourself. Think that you are going to make some runs when batting, the same when bowling. Think that you are going to get some wickets, and that you can bowl any of the batsmen out.

As my father often told me, to be successful in cricket, and especially in batting, a boy or man needs plenty of patience.

Bowling. My advice to all young bowlers is to make it their business, first of all, to discover the weak points of the batsmen, and then to adapt themselves thereto. Patience is a virtue at all times, and especially so in bowling. Study and calculation are great helps. Avoid tearing away until you are too fatigued to lift your arm. Be careful, be deliberate. Mark the place where you wish to start from and take the same run and the same strides every time. By so doing, you never ought to bowl any no-balls. When you are bowling, try for place, not for pace. When at practice, only bowl for, say, half an hour at a time. Never tire yourself out and never bowl beyond your strength, but proceed by easy stages to a high delivery.

Whenever you practice, give all your mind to it, and bowl just the same as you would at a match. Bowl for the wicket as much as possible, with an occasional ball from 6 to 12 inches outside the off stump. Try to keep a good length, and vary the pace, the height, the flight and spin of the ball. But you will learn all this by practice and experience. Never try to break the ball both ways. or to make it do too much. My advice is to learn to break the ball only one way, just enough to beat the bat, but above all keep a good length, as I have already advised. The Demon Bowler, Mr. F. R. Spofforth, A. Shaw, A. Watson, J. T. Hearn, W. Atwell, and other first-class bowlers whom I could name, have all taken the same run and the same strides at each delivery.

And have only gone in for breaking the ball one way, just sufficient to beat the bat. But they have all been good length bowlers, and have, when bowling, used their heads as much as their arms. To perfect myself when practising, I used to mark out with pieces of paper the correct pitches for a fast and for a medium-paced ball. Remember, the length of the pitch depends on the speed as a rule. Fast bowling requires a shorter pitch. I.e., a shorter length from the wicket than slow or medium bowling, always, of course, keeping in mind any peculiarities the batsman may possess. Take every opportunity of studying the style of high-class bowlers, and note the perfection to which practice and concentration can attain.

I do not recommend holding the ball in the palm of the hand. The late Alfred Shaw The late E. Peete, the late J. Briggs, the late G. Lowman, Mrs. A. G. Steele, F. R. Spofforth, C. T. B. Turner, Willis Cuttle, and other first-class bowlers whom I have met, grasp the ball by the tips of the fingers, and against the seam. By this means, the greatest amount of spin can be given to the ball. The fingers may be said to rule both the delivery and the direction of the ball. Some bowlers also use their wrists a little. All batsmen are puzzled by variety of speed and pitch. Therefore, if possible, let every ball be different, at least until you have found out the weak spot in your adversary. If he favours forward play, give him a shorter ball with plenty of life.

If back play, let the ball pitch further up. But let all your efforts have the distinct object of taking his wicket, A knot of merely gaining a maiden over. Practice bowling both over and round the wicket. Most right-hand bowlers bowl over, and left-hand bowlers round. Boys should not try to bowl the 22 yards until they are over 15 or 16 years of age. When I am coaching boys younger than this, I never let them bowl over 18 or 19 yards. If the captains and professional bowlers who are engaged at schools and colleges would pay more attention to this matter, there would be more boy bowlers, I feel sure. The cricket ball also should be a little under the full size for young boys. As regards my own bowling, I think it was a natural gift, always coming with my arm more or less.

I never tried to make the ball go away or break back as it is termed. I always endeavoured to keep a good length, varying the pace and flight of the ball, etc., and studying the batsman's weak points, making him play almost every ball, and giving him a few balls in each over to make him play both forward and back. The bowler should at all times, when bowling, be on the alert for a catch, especially when the batsman is playing forward. I have seen many catches missed through neglect of this precaution. I have also seen many batsmen who would have been run out if the bowler had only got back to his wicket in time to receive the ball when thrown in from the field.

Fielding Though usually regarded as a minor essential, fielding is at least of equal importance with the other accomplishments that make the good cricketer, and if conducted in a careless, slovenly manner, will end in defeat and disgrace. To be a good fielder requires, like the acquisitions of batting and bowling, steady, constant, persevering practice. Almost perfect examples of fielding are to be found in Messrs G. L. Jessup, Gloucestershire, A. O. Jones, Notts, L. G. Wright, Derbyshire, R. H. Spooner, and A. H. Hornby, Lancashire, Braund, Somerset, Tilsley, Lancashire, J. Gunn, Notts, Denton, Yorkshire, Quaife, Warwickshire, and Vine, Sussex. These are well worthy of imitation and travelling miles to see.

Smart fielding often gets wickets which have defied the best of bowling. Meeting the ball is essential to quick fielding and requires practice of its own. Run in to meet a straight ball with your hands ready and well down. Practice jumping to make a high catch and keep your eye well on the ball. Let your throwing in be by a single action of the arm, free from flourish, and straight to the wicket-keeper or bowler without a long hop. Also practice catching with the left hand, as well as with the right. A fielder must not neglect backing up to save overthrows. Bad fielding disheartens both bowler and wicket-keeper, and one bad fielder is a loose screw in any eleven. I may mention a practice I adopt several times a week in my tuition of young cricketers.

I place them in the field as though a match were being played, and throw the ball to different players, varying the height, speed and course of the ball, expecting them to return it to me in the shortest possible space of time. Another method I have also often adopted is to spread the boys about the field, and then to take the bat and hit catches to them. Both high and low, also giving them ground fielding. This is really good practice. Still another plan is to place the boys so as to form a large circle, and then to throw the ball about from one to another, trying to take the boys unaware. Also giving them balls to catch with the left hand as well as with the right. I have found this to be very good practice and splendid training for the eye.

Long stopping without a net is also very good practice in fielding, and will mature the habit of quick return. It should be frequently practiced by all young beginners. Fielders should remember that their duty is to prevent runs being scored. To adapt a well-known proverb, a run saved is a run gained. In catching, keep your hands well together. Yielding a little at the moment of impact, so as to neutralise the sting of the ball. Fielding is a science, and as such requires careful study. How can a bowler throw his whole heart and energy into his play if he feels no security in his field? How can a team play well together if some of its members are untrustworthy in picking up, throwing or catching the ball?

Good coaching in batting, bowling and fielding I strongly recommend. But from what I have seen and heard, many of the professionals engaged at the schools and colleges do not take pains with the boys as they should, nor do they know very much about coaching, which I maintain is a profession to itself, the same as umpiring. I am afraid there are not so many good coaches now as they were some years ago, some of whom I could name. Just a little more advice on fielding before I leave the subject. Always keep your eye on the batsman. By watching him closely, you can tell what he is going to do even before the bat strikes the ball. Whenever possible, get both hands to the ball, except in the case of a chance of running out a batsman, when you are justified in risking the loss of a run or two.

I have always said, Give me a good fielder and a moderate batsman before a bad fielder and a good batsman. I know several very fine batsmen who would have been selected to play in more important matches if they had been better in the field. Remember that fielding is, after all, the most important part of the game. Good fielding helps moderate bowling. Boys should learn to love fielding.

Wicketkeeping As I do not profess to have a thorough knowledge of the art of wicket-keeping, although I kept wicket very often in my early days, it is outside my province to tender much advice on my own account. But the fact that some years ago my friend, the late Richard Pilling, Lancashire, known as the Prince of Wicket-Keepers, kindly revised my remarks on the subject, will, I feel sure, make them acceptable to every cricketer who desires to fill this important position. And important it undoubtedly is. If there is one department of cricket requiring, more than another, that wonderful sympathy between eye and hand which I attempted to describe in concluding my remarks on batting, that department is wicket-keeping.

A wicket-keeper must be firm as a rock, as bold as a lion, quick as thought, cool as a cucumber, and as hard as nails. He should possess one of the finest tempers in the world, and must run the risk of having his eyes blackened and his fingers put out of joint. It will thus be admitted that the post is no sinecure. Still, I am glad to know that in spite of all this, we have such wicket-keepers as Messrs. G. McGregor, Middlesex, H. Martin, Somerset, and A. Lilly, Warwickshire, Humphreys, Derbyshire, Oates, Knotts, Strudwick & Stedman, Surrey, Huish, Kent, Hunter, Yorkshire, and Worsley, Lancashire. Having said so much about the marvellous results of patient-persevering practice, it is perhaps somewhat discouraging to state that no amount of practice will make a brilliant wicket-keeper unless he has an electric wire laid on between his eye and hand.

When he finds this connection to be already laid on, he may practice with some prospect of success. I notice with regret that few writers on cricket give any advice on wicket-keeping, though I very much doubt were all the wicket-keepers to combine to tell the cricket world how it is done, if they would add much to the theoretical knowledge of wicket-keeping already possessed. All and every one of the wicket-keepers I have named can show you how it is done, but to put it into words is quite another matter. However, here is what my late friend Pilling said on the subject. A wicket-keeper must possess the following qualities if he wishes to attain perfection in this difficult art, viz. patience, perseverance, and a certain amount of fearlessness.

He must also be steady, quick of sight, and above all, able to control his temper. If he allows his temper to get the better of him, Through having missed some chance of a catch or of stumping. Depend upon it, mistakes will continue until he cools down to his normal temperature. I would strongly impress upon all who have any desire to become wicket-keepers, to be temperate in all things. In your position behind the wickets, you will always require to be in the best of form, with a clear head and an undimmed eye, seeing that upon you will devolve the duty of stopping every ball missed by the batsman. A large amount of patience will have to be exercised by the aspirant for wicket-keeping honours.

Be content with small successes at first, and climb the ladder of fame by degrees. Do not be downhearted or nervous, for a nervous man will never make a wicket-keeper. As he occupies the most dangerous position in the field, and without doubt gets more knocks and bruises than any other person engaged in the game. But if he wishes to excel, he must not allow this to discourage him, but stick to it, resolving to be more careful and try to escape such accidents another time. You cannot make a wicket-keeper of anyone. To some it comes naturally as a gift, but to all I would say, It is with wicket-keeping as with everything else, practice makes perfect, and the best practice is to be obtained in matches.

During practice nights, choose, if you may, the best bowlers on the field to practice with, as fewer accidents will happen to you from first class than from second or third-rate bowling, and remember that success follows perseverance.

20 19 - Conclusion 2:02

21 20 - Cricket Miscellany 4:44

G. Barlow. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain.

Cricket Miscellany Cricket Song Then cricketers are we, each a batter bred and born. The birds do sing, and so do we, and rise at early morn, to field and run and bat and bowl against a worthy team. There's naught can be to cricketer's life. Out in the fields so green. Out in the green fields so happy and so gay. Out in the green fields we pass our time away. Out in the green fields we cricket all the day, and like the larks we whistle in the morning. Captain Hornby is the finest man for many miles around, and all his men have brawny arms. Their equals can't be found. When cricket time again comes round, we all shall then be seen. We like the open sunlight best, out in the fields so green. Out in the green fields so happy and so gay, out in the green fields we pass our time away.

Out in the green fields we cricket all the day, and like the larks we whistle in the morning. Of all the games we air did love, cricket's the game for us. With bats and balls, stumps and bales, we form the wicket glorious. As books supply the mind with food, The all-inspiring wicket, the body keeps in glowing health. Then three hurrahs for cricket. Out in the green fields, so happy and so gay, out in the green fields, we pass our time away. Out in the green fields, we cricket all the day, and like the larks, we whistle in the morning. By R. G. Barlow, 1880. The following verses were composed and published after the Hon. Ivo Bly's English team brought home the Ashes from Australia in 1883. Ivo Bly, 1883 Ivo Bly had a shy at Australian sticks, scored like fun, gave them one of the neatest licks.

Hi, Ivo! Ho, Ivo! Britons breathe once more. Whilst they fill to your skill and Leslie's spanking score. Ivo Bly, England's eye, Murdoch's fairly wiped. Barlow's gross retrieves our loss, how he bowled and swiped. Hi, Ivo, ho, Ivo, stick to it, you will. Not for Crow, just to show England's in it still.

Let Cricket Flourish It flushes with the glow of health each manly cheek and brow. It bids the slow and sluggish blood in kindlier currents flow. It knits the sinews into strength and quickens every eye. It nerves the hand, renews the heart, and bids all sorrow fly.

The Chief of Games What conduces to health deserves recommendation. "'Twill entail a strong race in the next generation, and of all the field games ever practised or known, that cricket stands foremost, each Briton must own."

The Cricket Match from a Woman's Point of View An Extract A newly married man returned home one day to find his wife in tears. "'What are you crying for, Mary?' he asked. "'Oh, John, I simply cannot help it. How those poor men must have suffered! That Jessop is a brute! Great Scott! What has he been doing? Haven't you read it? Why, it says that when he came in, he started punishing the bowlers severely. He cut hers twice in the first over, and he knocked hay all over the field. Wainwright interfered, but he didn't do much good because Jessop drove him to the boundary out of the way. Next, Roat came up to see what he could do. But Jessup ran out to him and knocked him over the pavilion. Brown came on, and what do you think Jessup did to him?

Why, he skied him, and I think he would have been killed, but fortunately a man ran up and caught him. R.G.B. umpired in the above match, Gloucestershire versus Yorkshire at Bristol, which took place some years ago.

End of 40 Years of First Class Cricket By R.G. Balo.

22 21 - At Lords by Francis Thompson 1:07

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