UNIVERSITY CRICKET
By HOME GORDON and H. D. G. LEVESON-GOWER
To thousands who have never been near the banks of the Cam or the
Isis, “the ‘Varsity match” forms one of the episodes of each recurring
year. It is a social festival; perhaps, also, it is the last great
manifestation of cricket as a game, and not as a money-making business,
which is to be found among first-class fixtures. But the University
match is more than this, for it is the Mecca of all who have gone
down from Oxford or Cambridge, the opportunity for the renewal of
former acquaintances, possibly the only occasion when you come across
those who were amongst your greatest friends in the day of _arcades
ambo_. It is good to meet old comrades, good to hear the ring of the
old jests, good to see how time is treating those who are your own
contemporaries—ay, and good to give one kindly thought to those who
have drifted to all the quarters of the Empire, and to remember those
who have been removed from us by Death.
The University match is, however, more than an excuse for reunion.
It is the battle of the “Blues,” the struggle between eleven picked
representatives of Oxford and the eleven contemporary delegates of
Cambridge. All old University men, and all the undergraduates of
to-day, with their families, relations, and friends, young and old,
unite in shouting for their own side. It is as cheery a display of
enthusiasm as one could care to show to that hypothetical individual,
“the intelligent foreigner”—the foreigner one really encounters being
“a chiel amang us takin’ notes” for hostile purposes. But little care
we for international complications when Blue meets Blue. It is a grim,
grand struggle for mastery, and some illustration of the evenness of
the fight can be gathered from the fact that after sixty-eight contests
Cambridge should only lead by four.
But the value of the University match exceeds all yet indicated, for
it is the supreme and unsullied manifestation of genuine amateurism.
When cricket is degenerating into a business, when too many eke out a
pseudo-amateurism in unsatisfactory ways, when individuals play for
their averages and sides play against the clock, we hail the University
match as the recurrent triumph of the true amateur, the keenest,
manliest, most entrancing, and most spirited match of the year—and
likewise the one haloed by the richest traditions. All these views are
apt to be forgotten when county committees are clamouring for valuable
Blues to neglect their University trial matches in order to help their
shires in championship fixtures. That is why this article is heralded
by a pæan of genuine enthusiasm, and it is this that we would say to
undergraduates in years to come—you may represent your county as long
as your purse and your skill permit, but no living man can participate
in thirty-six matches for Oxford or for Cambridge, nor more than four
times meet the opposing Blues. Therefore, take University cricket as
the happy fruit of early manhood, and believe that nothing in after
years is quite equal, quite identical with its delightful experiences.
With these preliminary observations concluded, let us first see where
the game is played. Of course the University struggle is at Lord’s, and
probably every one who reads the present volume, even if he has not
been himself to headquarters, has a pretty good idea of what the ground
is like. Even in the last twenty years it has undergone a number of
changes in order to bring it to the level of latter-day requirements.
Of course the original picturesqueness of the surroundings has been
impaired. The present pavilion has been ingloriously compared to a
railway station. The extension of the grand stand has rendered all the
north side unsightly, and the huge mound at the south-east corner looks
like part of the auditorium at Earl’s Court. Even the tennis-court has
been shifted. But all said and done, 15,000 people can get a decent
view of the game at Lord’s, and the turf itself has been improved
beyond measure. Time was when the pitch at Lord’s was proverbially
treacherous, and old scores bear eloquent testimony to this. To-day
a superb wicket can be provided for a big match, one equal to any in
England, despite the fact that comparatively few drawn games take place
at St. John’s Wood.
[Illustration:
_From a Aquatint by_ _Francis Jukes._
_SALVADORE HOUSE, TOOTING, SURREY._
(_After a Drawing by John Walker, end 18th Century_).]
[Illustration:
_From a Drawing_ _by Crowhurst._
_CRICKET GROUND, TODMORDEN._]
So much for the meeting-place. Now for the trial-grounds of the rival
Blues. In this respect, Oxford had far more difficulty than their
rivals. The earliest grounds used by the Dark Blues were those of the
Bullingdon Club and of the Magdalen College School. The Bullingdon
ground, on the site of the present barracks, was at a goodly distance
from the town, but possessed some of the finest turf in the kingdom.
The Magdalen ground was a part of Cowley Common, and this was the
first enclosure ever leased to the Oxford University Cricket Club.
With a few individual digressions, there the bulk of the home fixtures
were contested until, in 1881, the University settled down on its own
admirable ground in the University Parks. A hard, fast pitch could be
obtained, in a central situation, with an excellent practice-ground
always available, while a commodious pavilion, exactly behind the
wicket, affords those in authority, and the legion who love to give
gratuitous advice, an admirable position from which to watch the
trial matches. Though not as yet dealing with the fixtures, it may
be broadly stated—without fear of contradiction—that the Oxford
eleven has displayed far more cohesiveness since it has acquired a
permanent establishment. Of course the fact that no gate-money can be
taken militates against the quality of the professionals engaged on
the ground-staff. It is a rule that only one home fixture shall have
a charge for admission, and then the match is played on one of the
College grounds, generally Christ Church, which affords the greatest
accommodation. When the Australians come, their game is invariably the
one selected. In other seasons it is usually a county match.
Cambridge have been far more fortunate in the matter of a ground. The
University originally played on Parker’s Piece—a huge village green;
but in 1848, at the instigation of Lord Stamford and Lord Darnley,
who considered the ground too public, as well as the tradition that
the M.C.C. refused to appear again, because of the ill-mannered chaff
of the spectators, F. P. Fenner induced the University to move to his
spacious ground. The original pavilion, not built until 1856—and
then at the trifling cost of £300—was replaced in 1875 by a handsome
structure on which over £4000 has been expended. The University
eventually obtained Fenner’s on an admirable lease, and the ground can
be regarded as one of the finest in the country. Level and true, the
pitch does not take the heart out of a batsman, while a bowler obtains
all reasonable assistance. In estimating modern University cricket, it
may be fairly considered that all undergraduates have every opportunity
to train up to the best possible standard to which they can attain, and
that, so far as expenses and wickets are concerned, they have, in the
phrase of Mr. W. S. Gilbert, “nothing whatever to grumble at,” either
at Oxford or Cambridge.
In the view of the writers of the present section, there is no need
to dilate at great length on the earlier history of the cricket at
the two Universities. The old matches have been replayed by a score
of pens since the stumps were originally drawn. I am not saying they
were not as admirable as those of later years—indeed, I would at a
pinch rather argue on the other side. But I do believe that those who
will read the present volume take more interest in the cricket of the
last twenty-five years than they feel in that of previous generations.
Therefore it is not from want of appreciation that I deliberately incur
the charge of treating in a condensed form the early battles of the
Blues. Were a volume at my disposal, instead of a chapter, I would
gladly act in a very different fashion.
The University match was at first a friendly game rather than a serious
contest. Numbers of people would be surprised at being told that Oxford
had not always met Cambridge at Lord’s. But though the first match
took place at St. John’s Wood in 1827, no less than five have been
fought out at Oxford, either on the Magdalen, Bullingdon, or Cowley
Marsh grounds, four of which were won by the home side. To this may
be appended the following indications of the haphazard nature of the
game. In 1836, when there had been no University match for six years,
Cambridge lost by 121 runs, with two men absent; why, no contemporary
troubled to set forth. In 1838 began the regular succession of annual
encounters, but in a game won easily by Oxford there was one man absent
in three out of the four innings. Next year, when Cambridge won by
an innings and 125 runs—the top score in an aggregate of 287 being
70 by Mr. Extras, followed by 65 by Mr. C. G. Taylor—the losers not
only played one short throughout the match, but history does not even
give a reason, nor does tradition state who the eleventh man should
have been. Of the 46 wides sent down by Oxford, it was said, “the
bowlers evidently at times lost their temper at not being enabled to
disturb the wickets of their opponents.” But the greatest proportion of
extras had been in 1836, when these amounted to 63 in Oxford’s second
total of 200, and 55 in Cambridge’s first of 127, with 149 extras in
an aggregate of 479. Against this must be set only 24 extras in an
aggregate of 751, a creditable feature of the game of 1885.
Among the early giants for Oxford may be cited Mr. Charles Wordsworth,
subsequently Bishop of St. Andrews, who bowled fast left-hand lobs
twisting in from the off. To him appears to have been due much of
the organisation of the big match. The earliest cricketer from Oxford
chosen to play for the Gentlemen was Mr. H. E. Knatchbull. A good many
of the Dark Blue triumphs mid-way in the ‘forties were ascribed to the
very fast round-arm bowling of Mr. G. E. Yonge, who, in five matches
_v._ Cambridge, removed the bails thirty times, in all capturing
forty-three opponents. This is the parallel of the terrific devastation
wrought by that very fine bowler, Mr. A. H. Evans, who sent back
thirty-six Cantabs for 13 runs apiece, twenty-two being clean bowled.
Admit, too, the prowess of Mr. G. B. Lee, who in 1839 took nine of the
ten wickets and scored a fifth of the Oxford aggregate. He was for
many years Warden of Winchester College, and his death, which occurred
on 29th January last, was deeply lamented by a great host of friends.
The first of the cricket “families” who have made immortal names in
University cricket was the Riddings. When two of the brothers played
for Gentlemen _v._ Players in 1849, the elder long-stopping and the
younger wicket-keeping to such tremendous bowling as that of Mr. G.
E. Yonge and Mr. Harvey Fellowes, tradition says that nothing was
seen like it until Mr. Gregor MacGregor put on the gloves to take the
bowling of Mr. S. M. J. Woods. In 1849 the Gentlemen won by an innings
and 40 runs, the biggest victory until 1878, and one mainly due to the
Oxonian combination.
The next family was that of the Marshams, a triumvirate whose
achievements have been mentioned by every successive generation of
Oxonians, and to which Cambridge could offer no parallel until the era
of the Studds. Mr. A. Payne was a very fast bowler; so was Mr. Walter
Fellowes. Among batsmen come Messrs. Reginald Hankey and W. H. Bullock,
but towering above them stands Mr. C. G. Lane, whose name is enshrined
among the pristine heroes of the Oval. Nor prior to 1860 must the
prowess of Mr. Chandos Leigh, Mr. Arthur Cazenove, and Mr. W. F. Traill
be forgotten.
[Illustration: _CRICKET AT RUGBY IN 1837._]
[Illustration: _CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PLAYING CRICKET IN
1842._]
The Light Blue giants up to this time had also been notable. The
earliest of great fame is Mr. C. G. Taylor, a batsman of great repute,
an old Etonian, who was an adept at nearly every sport. With him must
be associated Mr. J. H. Kirwan, a very fast amateur bowler, “with a
low delivery which approached a jerk, but was allowed.” No matter how
he was hit, he persisted in keeping his fieldsmen behind the wicket,
ready for catches. Mr. T. A. Anson appears to have been the earliest of
the famous Cambridge stumpers, but his renown pales before that of Mr.
E. S. Hartopp, “the only man who could stop the famous fast deliveries
of Mr. Harvey Fellowes with any degree of certainty.” What that meant
on the old-time bad wickets may be estimated by the fact that, when
there was some discussion about pace, it was the unanimous consensus of
those old enough to judge that Mr. Fellowes had never been equalled for
lightning speed. Eton provided the next Cambridge bowler of importance,
Mr. E. W. Blore, whose pace was slow, with an excellent length. More
famous, of course, is Mr. David Buchanan, who in his University days
was a fast left-handed bowler. By the way, he himself confessed that
he would not remain a fortnight “kicking his heels about” in order
to play in the University match of 1851. His marvellous prowess with
the ball was altogether apart from his undergraduate career, though
he captured six Oxonian wickets in 1850. Mr. Mat Kempson, who hailed
from Cheltenham, was a clever fast bowler, with so much spin on his
ball that he was the only cricketer George Parr could not hit to leg.
It is said that while he and Canon J. M’Cormick were together, they
never lost an eleven-a-side match at Cambridge. The feat of Mr. M.
Kempson and Sir Francis Bathurst, bowling unchanged for the Gentlemen
against the Players, has only been equalled by the two Cantabs, Messrs.
S. M. J. Woods and F. S. Jackson, in 1894, and by A. H. Evans and A.
G. Steel, who, in the Gentlemen _v._ Players match in 1879, dismissed
a strong side of players for 73 and 48, both being then in residence
at their Universities. Mr. E. T. Drake, with bat and lob bowling, was
esteemed by his contemporaries as only second to Mr. V. E. Walker.
The name with which Cambridge cricket will be historically associated
in the nineteenth century is that of Mr. Arthur Ward. He weighed 20
stones when he played for Cambridge, and was so much chaffed by the
crowd at Lord’s that in 1854 he managed the match from the pavilion.
But to him is due the acquisition of Fenner’s, where he reigned as an
autocrat, despotic but delightful. He has been even as much to his old
University as Mr. Thomas Case, wise, vigilant, and full of foresight,
has been to Oxford cricket. The twain will never be forgotten, and
unborn generations should breathe benedictions upon them.
Two successive secretaries of M.C.C. represented Cambridge in 1854. One
was that delightful personality and sturdy hitter, Mr. R. Fitzgerald.
The team he took to America in 1872 was the parent of many tours in
many climes, all enjoyable, if not of such public importance as the
great expeditions to Australia. He was succeeded at Lord’s by his
friend of many years’ standing, Mr. Henry Perkins, who is to-day cheery
in his honoured retirement after twenty-one years’ work, the full
value of which was not entirely appreciated by the younger generations
of M.C.C. until afterwards. In his day he must have been a keen good
cricketer, and, considering how little he watched the modern game, and
then always behind the pavilion windows, it is marvellous how he could
so skilfully diagnose the skill of players. His kindness to quite young
fellows fond of the game is one of those traits to which enough justice
was not done at his retirement, possibly because the tributes came from
older friends. It may be noted that Mr. T. W. Wills, who represented
Cambridge _v._ Oxford in 1856, was never in residence. The group of
cricketers who went up from Brighton College will always be memorable.
In 1860 for Cambridge appeared Messrs. G. E. Cotterill, Denzil Onslow,
A. E. Bateman, and E. B. Fawcett, as formidable a quartet as could
be desired. Mainly owing to the spinning slow bowling of Mr. H. M.
Plowden, the Cantabs won by three wickets on a soaking ground, with two
of the best Oxford men too unwell to play.
The next eighteen years can be regarded as the mid-Victorian section
of University cricket. Preeminent from 1862 to 1865 was Mr. R. A. H.
Mitchell, then absolutely the finest amateur bat in the country. He
averaged 42 in seven innings against Cambridge, though his highest
innings was only 57. He was a wonderful bat, timing the ball with
something of the judgment of “W. G.,” though, like the champion, he was
_never_ quite happy facing Alfred Shaw. Possibly no other amateur ever
hit so well to leg, and he has the distinction of being the earliest
of the great captains who developed the game according to our modern
ideas. It was he, too, who gave Oxford four successive victories after
four previous reverses. After he went down, Oxford had no star for some
seasons, except that Sir Robert Reid proved as nimble behind the sticks
as he has since been successful at the Bar and in Parliament.
Cambridge in the same period had more men of mark. At the outset
there were the erratic but devastating deliveries of Mr. T. Lang,
who captured in all fifteen Oxford wickets for 84 runs, and for his
University has the magnificent figures of forty-six wickets at a cost
of 5.54 apiece. Then too flourished Lord Cobham, of whom Mr. Clement
Booth—a veteran not given to rash assertions—states, “He was
absolutely the best all-round cricketer I ever played with.” Note that
Mr. Booth actually participated in first-class cricket—fine steady
bat that he was—until 1887, and still keeps up his interest in the
game. To collaborate with these three were Messrs. H. M. Marshall, A.
W. T. Daniel, H. M. Plowden, an excellent slow bowler, and W. Bury,
“who never missed a catch.” Truly was it said that the 1862 eleven was
not surpassed until that of 1878. It will be noted that Cambridge was
now enjoying the era of the Lytteltons, G. S., the second brother to
Lord Cobham, coming up in 1866, and showing wonderful nerve in a trying
finish in the following year. It was then the turn of the Light Blues
to win for four successive encounters. Much of this was due to the
great command of that eccentric free-lance Mr. C. A. Absalom over the
ball. He was outside all laws of cricket convention, among other ethics
of his being that a half-volley on the leg stump was the best delivery
with which to attack a fresh batsman. Altogether he took one hundred
wickets for 14 runs each as an undergraduate, and twenty-two wickets
for 247 runs in his three encounters with Oxford. Of course he was
utterly unorthodox as a bat too, but his hard hitting produced quite
a respectable figure in the average-sheet of the Light Blues. Of his
acrobatic agility in the field, it is safe to say that never will its
like be seen again.
Slightly senior to him was Mr. C. E. Green, the father of Essex
cricket, and hardly had he gone down than Cambridge possessed one
of the most remarkable groups of attractive players to be noted in
our annals. This was in 1869—known, by the way, as the University
wicket-keepers’ match, as the two stumpers, H. A. Richardson and W. A.
Stewart, between them annexed fourteen out of the forty wickets. In
that year Messrs. C. I. Thornton, W. Yardley, J. W. Dale, W. B. Money,
H. A. Richardson, and C. A. Absalom all played for the Gentlemen. Of
these, the repute of Mr. C. I. Thornton as a stupendous hitter has
not even been dimmed by that of Mr. G. L. Jessop himself. For about
thirty years “Buns” went in to slog, and undoubtedly succeeded. Some
day, perhaps, when feats of hard hitting are collected, an adequate
catalogue of his amazing feats may be presented. They will certainly
prove unparalleled, and if others have hit as hard, possibly no one
ever _drove_ with such mighty impetus. Nor, in even this brief allusion
to his connection with University cricket, must it be forgotten what
service he annually rendered in collecting strong scratch teams for his
visits. It should be put on record that his two fine scores of 50 and
36 were made against Oxford in 1869 by steady defensive cricket.
Of “Bill of the Play,” it is difficult for us, who never saw him
bat, to adequately write, when so many of our readers have been more
fortunate. A very eminent judge, however, supplies this note:—“Yardley
comes next to ‘W. G.’ among amateurs. Ranji may have produced new
strokes, notably that astounding ‘hook,’ but his physique never
gave him that impressive _command_ over the ball which was the
characteristic of the elder Cantab. Yardley possessed all the grace
of Palairet, with a strength equal to that of Ulyett. I should regard
him as the perfection of really beautiful batting accompanied with
remarkable power. He played all round the wicket, but he was stronger
on the leg side than modern bats.”
To Mr. Yardley belongs the unique distinction of having made two
centuries in the University match, 100 in 1870 and 130 in 1872, the
former being the first made in the game—oddly enough, at a time when
he was supposed to be out of form—and the latter the highest, until
Mr. K. J. Key passed it with his 143 in 1886. Mr. J. W. Dale was a
stylish, pretty bat, while Mr. W. B. Money, besides being a clever lob
bowler, was a good and often aggressive bat, though from nervousness
he failed to do himself justice against the rival Blues. To all
generations of cricketers, the Oxford and Cambridge match of 1870 will
be known as “Cobden’s game,” despite the first recorded century. It
was also true that the hat trick had also never been performed in the
match, and Mr. F. C. Cobden now achieved it under almost miraculous
conditions. Mr. Cobden bowled a good fast ball of the average type,
nothing marvellous, and it is this one feat which has immortalised him.
Oxford had a fine eleven, the match being a genuine battle with giants
on both sides. The Dark Blues, to begin with, possessed in Mr. C. J.
Ottaway one of the coolest and most skilled of defensive batsman. He
belonged to the race of University stonewallers (the apotheosis of
which was Mr. Eustace Crawley, who was an hour at the wicket without
scoring, and in his second innings was another hour before he “broke
his specs,” amid stentorian applause, only to be out with the very
next ball, though the year before he had scored a century). Mr. A.
T. Fortescue was an excellent, watchful bat, Messrs. Pauncefote and
Townshend were useful, Mr. Walter Hadow a dangerous run-getter, and Mr.
E. F. S. Tylecote a sound, clever batsman, and so fine a wicket-keeper
that he has put on the gloves creditably in test matches. Moreover,
that good bowler, Mr. C. K. Francis, was a bat that had to be reckoned
with. On fourth hands Oxford needed 179 to win, and with Messrs.
Fortescue and Ottaway scoring steadily, and Mr. Tylecote playing good
cricket, the match looked a very hollow affair, despite the excellent
bowling of Mr. E. E. Harrison-Ward.
Over the concluding incidents there is some conflict of evidence, but
it seems probable that the fact of an extension of the playing time
having been agreed to affected the finish, the light becoming bad.
When Mr. Ottaway was dismissed, Oxford needed 19 to win, with five
wickets to fall. Subsequently Messrs. Townshend and Francis were sent
back, but only 4 runs were required, with three wickets to fall. Then
came Mr. Cobden’s sensational and renowned over. Off the first ball,
Mr. F. H. Hill, who was well set, made a vigorous stroke which was so
well fielded by Mr. A. Bourne that only a single was scored. Off the
second ball Mr. S. E. Butler was sharply annexed by the same opponent.
Mr. T. H. Belcher was bowled by the next delivery, and it is even now
controversial whether clean or off his pads. Finally, in came Mr. W. A.
Stewart, who was, under the circumstances, naturally extremely nervous,
and the victorious bowler at once removed his bail, amid a scene of
frantic excitement.
Wonders now come in battalions, for in the very next University
encounter was performed another feat never again or before achieved
in this especial match. This was the capture of all ten wickets on
a side. Whether much of the success was due to the ground is beside
the question. The fact remains that Mr. S. E. Butler took all the ten
Cantab wickets at a cost of 38 runs, and then claimed five more for
57. He was a fast bowler, who on this occasion found a spot which made
the ball keep very low, and on a difficult pitch he was absolutely
unplayable. Oxford this season had the benefit of the fine batting
of Lord Harris, the man who, next to Lord Hawke, has probably done
more for cricket than any one else. He was a stylish, attractive bat,
with brilliant strokes and great driving power. Few batsmen have
performed better against fast bowling; but his prowess ripened by his
association with Kent rather than in his University days. Still, the
Cantabs possessed the bulk of the new cricketers. Mr. W. N. Powys, a
rather fast left-handed bowler, had the splendid figures of twenty-four
wickets for 153 runs, while the two Etonians, Messrs. George Longman
and A. S. Tabor, acquired high repute as batsmen. The former was
the more attractive, comparable in a later generation to Mr. Norman
Druce, while the latter, though more cramped, also might have been the
more difficult to dislodge. In 1872, both being freshmen, they were
the earliest who ever put up a century for the first wicket in the
University match.
The next triumph of Oxford came in 1875. This was due to Mr. A. W.
Ridley, whose lobs were preternaturally successful at the crisis.
Both sides carried men famed in the game. Mr. A. J. Webbe has in some
measure occupied a unique position. Apart from his high repute as a
batsman, he has devoted himself with assiduity to cricket at both
Oxford and Harrow, in many ways materially influencing cricket, apart
from his illustrious connection with Middlesex. Others to be noted were
Mr. Vernon Royle, possibly the grandest field who ever donned flannels,
Mr. W. H. Game, a big hitter, apt to prove disappointing, and Mr. T.
W. Lang, who, besides being an admirable bowler, had trained into a
very useful bat. Mr. Ridley as a bat, too, was a delightful exponent of
the best Etonian traditions. Cambridge, however, enjoyed the services
of some wonderful cricketers. In his quiet, patient, yet admirable
method, how few can have excelled Mr. A. P. Lucas! Seven-and-twenty
years after the match in question, a junior among the last Australian
team expressed his opinion that Mr. Lucas was among the first flight of
English batsmen of to-day. One critic has judiciously remarked that he
never attempts to place a ball, or he would have scored three times
as many runs, but for sheer accuracy who can ever have surpassed him?
A colleague was Mr. Edward Lyttelton, most famous but one of all the
family—a fine bat, remarkably free, a magnificent field anywhere, with
heart and soul in the game. Mr. F. F. J. Greenfield, unorthodox but
capable, was another useful man, and the bowling rested mainly on W. S.
Patterson.
The sensation of the match in which all these participated was in
the close finish. Cambridge, needing 174 to win, had reached 161 for
seven wickets, everything having gone in their favour until Mr. Webbe
caught out Mr. Lyttelton in the country, a catch which many judges
still watching the game think was the finest they ever witnessed. Mr.
W. H. Game persuaded his captain, Mr. A. W. Ridley, to go on with lobs
at this crisis. “It was much against my own judgment. My first ball
got rid of W. S. Patterson; then Macan came in and made a single off
the next. This brought Sims to my end, and he hit my third ball clean
over my head for four. Lang then bowled against Macan, who kicked a
leg-bye, and afterwards a no-ball made it seven to win. It was now that
Sims was caught, and Arthur Smith came in. He looked rather shaky,
and no wonder. He managed to keep his wicket intact for two balls,
but my third bowled him, amid terrific excitement.” Thus Mr. A. W.
Ridley himself, in reply to the request for his own reminiscence for an
article in the _Badminton Magazine_. His modest impression deserves to
be resurrected here. Mr. Edward Lyttelton has stated that the ball with
which the victorious lob bowler dismissed each of his victims was “a
straight low one on the leg stump which did not turn an inch.” Of the
match in 1876 it may be stated that Mr. W. S. Patterson was the first
“centurion” to be undefeated, and Mr. W. H. Game, the first Oxonian to
run into three figures against Cambridge, though in the following year
his example was followed by Mr. F. M. Buckland. It may be pointed out
that Oxford from 1871 to 1875 and Cambridge from 1876 to 1880 each won
four victories, interrupted by one defeat. In 1876 each University had
won an equal number of matches.[5]
1878 was the first year of modern cricket as generally accepted, but
it was hardly more notable for the first visit of the Australians
than for the unrivalled ability of the Cambridge eleven. They played
eight matches, and won them all, a result as much due to magnificent
fielding as to any other cause. Of course the phenomenal agency was the
marvellous skill of Mr. A. G. Steel, but this great exponent of every
department of the game was admirably backed up by the whole side. They
opened by defeating Mr. C. I. Thornton’s eleven, which included Dr. W.
G. Grace and his younger brother, as well as Mycroft and Midwinter, by
79 runs, though 90 runs behind on first hands. Single-innings victories
were gained over M.C.C. and the Gentlemen, while Yorkshire was disposed
of by a margin of ten wickets. Migrating to the Oval, Surrey fell to
the tune of an innings and 112, while M.C.C., strongly represented at
Lord’s, were left in a minority of 106. Although Messrs. A. J. Webbe
and A. H. Evans appeared for Oxford, the University match was felt to
be one-sided, and so it proved. Mr. A. D. Greene took four hours and
ten minutes to get 35 runs, while in the second effort Messrs. A. G.
Steel and P. H. Morton sent the whole side back for 32. Finally the
Cantabs, though deprived of the great services of Mr. A. P. Lucas, beat
the Australians before lunch on the second day by an innings and 72
runs. In emphasising this startling succession of victories, it ought
to be pointed out that only once did opponents exceed a total of 127,
and then the aggregate was only 193, while six sides were dismissed for
less than 70 runs apiece.
Now for the doughty team which Mr. Edward Lyttelton led so admirably.
Be it noted that he was the only Englishman who in 1878 scored a
century against the Australians. To him, and to Mr. A. P. Lucas,
allusion has already been made. To do adequate justice to the great
game always played by Mr. A. G. Steel is beyond our pens. Suffice
it to say that the true panegyric lies in his magnificent record.
In connection with Cambridge in 1878, he headed both tables, taking
seventy-five wickets for 7 runs apiece, and averaging 37 for an
aggregate of 339. At that time his bowling was incomparably difficult,
mainly because of the way he used to vary his “pitch and break.” Never
did any attack need such careful watching. His batting, of course,
reached its climax in that superb 148 _v._ Australians at Lord’s in
1884, and its most brilliant piece of fireworks when he went in ninth
at Scarborough, and scored a century while the others made 7. But it
was not even his skill which made Mr. A. G. Steel so great. It was his
masterly and inspiriting confidence, together with an unparalleled
grasp of the game, which made him the greatest amateur after “W. G.”
that we have looked on.
Following him must come Mr. Alfred Lyttelton, a great wicket-keeper,
who would have been greater still, had he not appeared in the
transition stage between long-stopping and standing up to the bowlers.
He was also a really free and attractive bat, who could force the
game well. Mr. P. H. Morton would nowadays be regarded as only a
medium-paced bowler, whose difficulty arose from the speed at which
his ball came off the pitch, whilst it was doing a great deal. His
career in cricket was practically bounded by his time at Cambridge, in
connection with which his bowling will always be worthily remembered.
Mr. Herbert Whitfeld proved somewhat of a stonewaller type, shaping
with admirable correctness, and in the field has known no superior.
Hon. Ivo Bligh (now Lord Darnley) only lacked good health. As a bat he
was an almost perfect exponent of Etonian traditions, so long as he
could play forward. We are of opinion that his cutting was at times
harder than that of any other amateur. Mr. D. Q. Steel had his days;
batsmen of his reckless temperament must have a heavy percentage of
failures. But for fine play all round the wicket, when he was in the
vein, he could be commended as a positive peril to any opponents.
Mr. A. F. J. Ford could hit “high, hard, and often,” bowl a useful
change, and catch opponents in the slips with the facility and length
of reach subsequently displayed by Tunnicliffe. Mr. L. K. Jarvis was
an attractive bat, but was a good deal more dangerous on a fast wicket
than a slow. Finally, Mr. F. W. Kingston, who could put on the gloves
with considerable credit, was a sound, careful bat, who used to play
the old “draw” stroke with notable ability. But after all, it was the
cohesion and the fielding which made 1878 _the_ Cambridge eleven _par
excellence_.
Not much noteworthy happened in 1879, a season that maintained its
unpleasant record for wetness and chilliness until 1902 relegated
all previous experiences into mere episodes. But 1880 saw the Studds
following the Steels and Lytteltons into the Cambridge eleven. There
was always an element of uncertainty about Mr. G. B. Studd, but he
was often a really brilliant bat and brilliant field at cover-point.
As for Mr. C. T. Studd, he is the greatest amateur between Mr. A. G.
Steel and Mr. S. M. J. Woods. Few men have ever played cricket with
such accuracy. Those who have seen J. T. Hearne pitch ball after ball
with mechanical precision at Lord’s can realise how Mr. C. T. Studd
used to bowl, only slower. His batting was never perhaps so sound as
that of Mr. C. B. Fry, but that is the nearest contemporary type; only
the style of Mr. Studd was one absolutely satisfactory to witness. The
game sustained a national loss when he left it to undertake missionary
labour in Asia. Mr. J. E. K. Studd, who came into the Cambridge
eleven a year later, thus establishing a record of three brothers
all simultaneously playing for their University, was never so good
as either of the others, but he was a hard-working cricketer, and a
difficult bat to dislodge, while his punishing powers were of no mean
order.
In 1881 both teams were powerful, the public opinion that Cambridge
were far the stronger being quite properly reversed. Three innings of
the match were moderate, principally because the Cantabs all drew away
from the fast bowling of Mr. A. H. Evans, who claimed thirteen wickets
for 10 runs apiece. But the grandest feature was the innings of 107
by Mr. W. H. Patterson, who carried his bat clean through the second
Oxford innings, although suffering from a badly-injured hand. It was
one of the greatest innings ever played at Lord’s, and foreshadowed
the fine service he subsequently rendered to Kent. That brilliant
disappointment, Mr. C. F. H. Leslie, whose phenomenal batting at Rugby
evoked anticipations never realised, played a splendid innings of 70,
his partnership with the old Harrovian arresting the succession of
Cantab victories, which were destined to be resumed for the next two
years. A conspicuous Oxonian recruit was Mr. M. C. Kemp, a capital
wicket-keeper, and a most lively, not to say venturesome, bat, and
a wonderful judge of a run. But it was his exciting personality and
wonderful enthusiasm which made him of such moral value to any side.
That attractive Wykehamist bat, Mr. A. H. Trevor, unfortunately elected
to watch rather than to play cricket after he went down from college.
[Illustration:
_From a Water-Colour, attributed to_ _G. Cruickshank._
_THE CORINTHIANS AT LORDS IN 1822._]
1882 saw a striking contrast between the treatment meted out to
the two Universities by the greatest of all Australian teams. Mr.
Murdoch’s combination opened their campaign on the Christ Church
ground, and the Colonial who took first ball scored 202. This was that
magnificent batsman, Mr. H. H. Massie. Mr. E. D. Shaw alone of the
home side could offer much resistance, as was also the case in the
first innings against Cambridge. Although this match was on 15th May,
ten Oxford blues were on the home side, the eleventh man being that
energetic, if erratic, bowler, Mr. C. J. M. Godfrey. Cambridge gave
a vastly different exhibition. Mr. C. T. Studd signalised his first
appearance against an Australian eleven by scoring 118 and taking
eight wickets. The triumvirate of brothers were responsible for 297
out of 393 from the bat, and thus had a large share in the triumphant
victory by six wickets, the only defeat of the Colonials till 11th
August. The slow bowling of Mr. R. C. Ramsey, an old Harrovian, himself
a Queenslander, had also much to do with the success, for he claimed
twelve wickets for 179 runs. On 17th August, for the first time,
Cambridge Past and Present met the Australians, and, after one of the
most spirited contests, effected a victory by 20 runs. The bowling of
Mr. A. G. Steel and Mr. C. H. Alcock—who never obtained his blue—and
fine batting by Mr. Alfred Lyttelton against Messrs. Spofforth and
Boyle at their deadliest, were the main agencies. That phenomenal 66
of Mr. G. J. Bonnor, compiled in half an hour with four sixes and
six fours, was one of the most astounding things ever perpetrated
in cricket. The University match was a good one, including a really
artistic 120 from Mr. G. B. Studd, fine form in both departments from
his more illustrious brother, and an innings of great force from one
of the hardest hitters who ever played at Lord’s, Mr. Henery, a man
of iron strength though diminutive physique. Lord Hawke, then merely
an energetic and interesting bat, was not in his University days so
valuable a cricketer as afterwards. Indeed, his powers steadily ripen
with years, and in 1902, at the age of forty-two, he batted at the Oval
in grander style than ever before, although down at Taunton they say
his 126 against Somersetshire was the best innings of all. Long may he
continue to advance. The day of his retirement will prove a sad blow to
cricket throughout the country. On the Oxford side, Mr. J. G. Walker
was nothing like the fine bat to which he afterwards trained on, but at
point he has rarely been matched, save by Dr. E. M. Grace.
Though Cambridge won in 1883, the side was by no means phenomenal. Mr.
C. W. Wright, who was remarkably effective during his residence at
Trinity, was the “centurion,” and Messrs. C. T. Studd and C. A. Smith
were responsible for the attack. The latter was a vigorous, bustling
cricketer, whose curious method of approaching the wicket has rarely
been emulated. Of the Oxonians the most notable newcomer was Mr. H.
V. Page, a bat with fine nerve, and an equally fine “pull” stroke,
keen field, and by no means bad bowler, perfectly indifferent to
punishment. Considering that the phenomenally stubborn Mr. C. W. Rock
obtained his blue in 1884, most imperturbable of bats, and destined
a year or two later to be about the best contemporary amateur bowler
(of moderately medium pace, be it mentioned), and further, that two
notable county captains, Messrs. H. W. Bainbridge and F. Marchant, both
old Etonians, came into the eleven, it is hard to say why Cambridge
was so poor. But the fact remains, they were somewhat of a slack side,
and neither of the Etonians was then the masterly exponent of batting
which in diverging ways they subsequently became. Oxford had a big
repute, including the sensational presence of Mr. (now Sir) T. C.
O’Brien, who, having gone into residence solely to get his blue, had
the memorable misfortune to bag a brace. Mr. B. E. Nicholls, a senior
from Winchester, was perfectly extraordinary in the slips; against the
Australians, for example, he nipped no less than seven catches. But
the comparative falling off of the two Universities can be gathered
from the fact that no one from either team represented the Gentlemen
against the Colonials in either match, though three Oxonians were on
the victorious side against the Players at Lord’s.
The Cambridge victory of 1885 was due to some Oxonian half-heartedness
in shaping at Mr. C. Toppin at the outset, and to a partnership of 142
by Messrs. C. W. Wright and H. W. Bainbridge, who just ran into the
coveted three figures. Cricket was played to a different tune next
year, when two great Oxonians effected a stand of 243. The heroes of
this were Mr. K. J. Key and Mr. W. Rashleigh. The burly successor to
Mr. J. Shuter as Surrey skipper was in his third year, and at that
time was a singularly fine bat. It may be confidently asserted that no
other amateur of the present generation has so triumphantly exploited
the “pull,” and he played the game with cheery energy. Mr. Rashleigh,
who at Tonbridge had been as sensational as Mr. Leslie a few years
before at Rugby, did great things for Kent, but nothing better than
this fine display. Those who note with bewilderment that no one else
ran into double figures in the Oxonian total of 304 ought to be told
that the side purposely played themselves out. Finely as Mr. Bainbridge
again played (his scores were 44 and 79), his side was hopelessly
unsuccessful, but the absurdity of playing Mr. C. M. Knatchbull
Hugessen remains to all time the biggest blunder in University
selection, for there was already a deft stumper in Mr. L. Orford.
Both that match and a year later that genial sportsman and capable
cricketer, Mr. E. H. Buckland, bowled best for victorious Oxford.
The match of 1887 is known as “the last choice game.” The eleventh
place in each team was only filled at the latest possible moment. The
Light Blue final selection, Mr. Eustace Crawley, scored 33 and 103
not out, and the Dark Blue one, Lord George Scott, contributed 100
and 66. Oxford fielded superbly, and their new wicket-keeper, Mr. H.
Phillipson, was absolutely one of the finest who has ever donned the
gloves, and it is a great pity that his impetuosity and tremendous
punishing powers overpowered his otherwise remarkable capacity as
a bat, which at Eton caused him to be regarded as exceptionally
excellent. Deplorably weak bowling on both sides left the Light Blues
in the minority only because of their liberality in the matter of
dropped catches.
In 1888 Cambridge obtained the assistance of two amateurs whose
combined services will be remembered as long as the game is played.
These were of course Messrs. Gregor MacGregor and S. M. J. Woods.
Undoubtedly in his prime the Scotchman has never had a rival among
amateur wicket-keepers, except Mr. Blackham. The way he used to take
Mr. S. M. J. Woods, the way too in which he handled the deliveries
of Mr. C. J. Kortright for the Gentlemen, will never be forgotten by
those who witnessed them. He was also a stubborn bat, who came off when
things were at their worst, and he remains one of the distinguished
cricketers of his lengthy period. Even more emphatically can this
be remarked of Mr. S. M. J. Woods. The value of his bowling may be
gathered from his analysis in his seven University innings, when his
victims were 36, at a cost of under 9 runs apiece; moreover, for
Cambridge he annexed 190 opponents at a cost of 14 runs each. To say
that he was a terror is but to be truthful. His great break back, in
combination with great pace, with a magnificent slow ball, made him for
many years unrivalled as a fast bowler. A magnificent field, gathering
the ball as he rushed in to meet it, and a great hitter, in those days
somewhat less judicious than when so serviceable to Somersetshire, he
combined all the aptitudes of a redoubtable cricketer. As a combination
of bowler and wicket-keeper, in University cricket, Messrs. Woods
and MacGregor have no parallel. But as often happens, the two stars
gathered some notable men into their constellation.
Senior among these must be named Mr. F. G. J. Ford, youngest and
best cricketer in a family of sportsmen. Like all big hitters, more
especially perhaps left-handers, he was uncertain. During his four
years at Cambridge he was not, except at Brighton, the terrifically
punishing bat he subsequently became. But he was in those days a very
useful bowler, as well as a formidable run-getter. Mr. R. C. Gosling,
an excellent bat of the Eton type, actually was not dismissed by Oxford
until his third University match, a curious feat for a man going in
seventh. Another Etonian bat, but essentially fast wicket player, was
Mr. C. P. Foley, who fairly won the match of 1891 by his steadiness.
An even better bat was Mr. R. N. Douglas, whose play was freer than
subsequently for Middlesex, and who was always attractive. Mr. E.
C. Streatfield would have taken prominent rank, had he really cared
more for the game. Batting with a trace of the style which made him a
capital racquet-player, he could lay about him with perilous rapidity,
whilst his fine bowling claimed five for 14 when Oxford was dismissed
for 42, and his ball removed the bails each time. It would be idle
to suggest that at Cambridge Mr. D. L. A. Jephson showed much of the
great ability he subsequently developed. Indeed, he only once scored
50, and his over-arm bowling was far below the standard of his later
lobs. But his fielding was invariably excellent. Mr. A. J. L. Hill was
an excellent all-round cricketer. His placing was always excellent,
and his dash in meeting the ball, and when bowling his capacity for
suddenly sending in a ball which whipped back unexpectedly quick,
proved that he was of value in all departments. Finally comes Mr. F. S.
Jackson. Possessing a huge school reputation at Harrow, he did not at
first effect any sensational cricket. A steady fast bowler and sound
bat, was perhaps all that could be reported until his third year, when
he became captain, and signalised his skipperdom by heading both tables
of averages. In 1893 he improved materially on his batting figures, and
was by this time recognised as the great cricketer whose finest triumph
was his batting at the pinch in the test matches of 1902. A phenomenal
self-reliance has always characterised his play, but it is certain
that since Mr. S. M. J. Woods no such fine all-round amateur has come
into prolonged participation in good matches.
It may be noted, with reference to a contemporary cry of the difficulty
of freshmen in getting their blues, that in 1890 there were five
vacancies in the Cambridge eleven, and the five freshmen who appeared
in the first match, _v._ C. I. Thornton’s eleven, all obtained their
colours. These were Messrs. R. N. Douglas, E. C. Streatfield, D. L. A.
Jephson, F. S. Jackson, and A. J. L. Hill. In the second innings of the
game just mentioned, Mr. S. M. J. Woods took all ten wickets for under
7 runs apiece, after capturing five for only 19 runs in the first.
Going to Brighton that year, Cambridge scored 703 for nine wickets, the
chief scores being: Mr. F. G. J. Ford 191, Mr. G. MacGregor 131, Mr. C.
P. Foley 117, Mr. R. N. Douglas 84 and 62, and Mr. F. S. Jackson 60.
Next year the Light Blues against Sussex totalled 359 and 366, without
an individual century. In all probability no University ever had such
strenuous games with a county as Cambridge about this period played
with Surrey, then in the zenith of their fame.
Now occurs the opportunity to refer to two incidents which created an
enormous sensation, and eventually led to an alteration in the law
of following on. The facts can be briefly put. Oxford in 1893 needed
8 runs to save the follow-on, when the last men were at the wicket.
The Cambridge captain, Mr. F. S. Jackson, instructed Mr. C. M. Wells
to bowl a no-ball to the boundary, and after the batsman, Mr. W. H.
Brain, had covered a very wide ball, to send down one even more off
the wicket. In 1896 Oxford needed 12 runs to save the follow-on, when
Mr. R. P. Lewis, a notoriously bad bat, came in eleventh. Mr. F.
Mitchell then told Mr. E. B. Shine to bowl two no-balls, each of which
went to the boundary for four, and then a ball which scored four for
byes. The hostile demonstration from the pavilion was one of the most
demoralising ever heard on a cricket ground. In sober truth it must be
confessed that the captains were within their legal rights in ordering
unprecedented action to obviate the possibility of their opponents
purposely getting out. Yet all that is not forbidden by law cannot
be perpetrated without censure. Having written so much, we prefer
to pass on, glad to have briefly finished our allusion to the only
unpleasantness in the long series of University matches.
[Illustration: _A MATCH IN 1805._]
Oxford now demands some attention, for Cambridge has latterly held
the chief place in these pages. Mr. M. R. Jardine was not successful
until his fourth season, when he amassed a valuable 140, thus redeeming
long-deferred expectations. Yet at all times it was felt that the
runs he saved by his wonderful fielding were of more value than those
he made from the bat. Two cricketers who have been before the public
ever since, and who in different ways have proved notable exponents of
batting, are Messrs. E. Smith and L. C. H. Palairet. The latter must to
the present generation be the pre-eminent example of distinction and
graceful perfection. Mr. Ernest Smith has always been a redoubtable
and rapid run-getter, making his scores without apparent exertion, yet
contriving to entirely baffle the opposing captain by the pertinacious
skill with which he places his rapid hits. As a fast bowler he enjoyed
days of great success, and was always efficient in the field. A senior
from Winchester, only participating in one University match, was Mr.
V. T. Hill. Left-handed, and possessing much of the dash and vigour of
Mr. H. T. Hewett, he hit 114 in 1892 in a fashion which frankly earned
the epithet sensational. Possibly owing to the exceptional interest it
always arouses, the encounters of the Blues have produced a remarkable
number of notable innings, but none surpasses that of Mr. Hill in
vigour and “fireworks.” It was altogether a great game, that of 1892.
Oxford, having lost Mr. Palairet and Mr. R. T. Jones without a run on
the board, amassed 365. Cambridge, in a minority of 205, followed on,
and put their opponents in for 186, which were knocked off with five
wickets to spare.
New men coming into the teams about this time were not less excellent
than their predecessors. Cambridge in 1893, in his third year, tried
K. S. Ranjitsinhji, who was third in the averages, his chief scores
being 40, 55, 38, 58, and 40. Mr. J. Douglas, a capital bat, with
a delightful way of scoring neatly off all bowling alike, used in
those days to bowl slows which obtained a fair number of wickets.
Mr. A. O. Jones, carefully coached by Arthur Shrewsbury, of course
showed barely a glimpse of the great powers he subsequently displayed
for Notts. Mr. L. H. Gay was a wicket-keeper altogether above the
average, who had singular ill-luck in finding so many of his terms at
Cambridge tally with those of Mr. MacGregor. He was a lively hitter,
whose wicket was uncommonly hard to obtain. One graceful bat remains
to be mentioned, Mr. P. H. Latham, who, good as he was, ought to have
been still better, and would have been if he could have resisted the
temptation to lash out at an insidious slow. Treading on the heels of
these came another remarkable group of bats. The brilliancy of Mr. N.
F. Druce has hardly been excelled. His batting was once described as
“the champagne of cricket,” and certainly the epithet is deserved.
Practically his connection with the game ceased after his residence
at Trinity Hall, except for one tour in Australia; so it is the more
necessary to emphasise how very fine, as well as captivating, was his
method of run-getting. It may be added that he has the highest average
of any Cantab, namely, 52.47 for an aggregate of 2414, and _v._ Mr.
C. I. Thornton’s eleven amassed 227 not out, the highest score ever
made at Cambridge, the opposing bowlers including Mr. F. S. Jackson,
Hirst, Woodcock, and Hearne. Mr. W. G. Druce never attained the same
standard as his more famous brother, but he was a valuable run-getter
and also a most useful wicket-keeper. Mr. F. Mitchell, despite a
remarkable start, did not in his University cricket display the form
which culminated in his great batting of 1901. Mr. T. N. Perkins was
a notably punishing bat, but the great Cambridge weakness lay in
the miserable quality of the attack. Oxford in this respect was not
much stronger, though Mr. G. F. H. Berkeley in his day was above the
average. At this period, which coincides with that when one of the
present writers heartily enjoyed his own University career, there were
some distinguished bats to be added to those noticed above. Prominent,
of course, was Mr. C. B. Fry, in those days a much slower run-getter
than when he amassed those six consecutive centuries for Sussex. Mr.
R. C. N. Palairet was often a formidable scorer, and when he and his
brother went in first for Oxford _v._ Cambridge in 1893, it was for
the first time since 1878 that two brothers had done so for the senior
University; it had then been the two Webbes. Cambridge furnishes only
one such incident, the case of Messrs. G. B. and J. E. K. Studd in
1882. Mr. G. J. Mordaunt was a capital bat and an absolutely beautiful
field in the country, the amount of ground he covered and his rapidity
in returning the ball being quite extraordinary. To these must be added
that attractive bat, Mr. H. K. Foster, with his graceful strokes, some
of them learnt in the racquet-court. At least one prominent judge
maintains that his forlorn effort of 121 on fourth hands in 1895 was
the superb gem of the whole series of big University scores since
1878. His efforts for Worcestershire have shown how little of a lucky
accident was this brilliant achievement. Few sounder bats ever appeared
than Mr. P. F. Warner, and if more prolonged praise be not added, it
is only because the warm friendship and admiration of the two writers
regard it as superfluous. His scores have been made in many climes, but
the best of them all have been compiled at headquarters.
In 1901, one of the present scribes contributed to an article written
for the _Badminton Magazine_ by the other the following account of the
close finish of the University match of 1896, and it is felt that no
more sincere record could now be penned; hence its partial quotation is
perhaps pardonable:—
“The last choice, not made until the morning of the match, lay between
G. B. Raikes and G. O. Smith. Now as the attack was rather tender
(P. S. Waddy was the only real ‘change’ to F. H. E. Cunliffe and J.
C. Hartley), it was universally thought that the former as a bowler
should have the preference (he had played in the two previous years);
but he was bowling none too well at the time, and eventually the
decision was in favour of strengthening the batting. As events proved,
this selection settled the match. Cambridge batted first, Burnup and
Wilson making a long stand; Bray hit confidently at the finish. I
think, however, it speaks well for Oxonian fielding, that on a fast
true wicket, against only four bowlers (C. C. Pilkington also went
on), it took six hours to amass 319, Mordaunt’s work in the country
being especially fine. We did none too well in the first innings, and
owing to the no-ball incident we saved following on. This incident, to
my mind, was an error of judgment. The Cambridge eleven had not had a
long outing, the discrepancy of 120 is a lot in a ‘Varsity match, and
to follow on between five and seven is not to enjoy the best of the
day’s light at Lord’s. At the same time, the reception Cambridge had
at the hands of the members of M.C.C. was unpardonable, and certainly
prejudiced their play in the second attempt. Whilst saying so, I am
not detracting from Cunliffe’s performance, who, for the first hour,
bowled better than he ever had before. Norman Druce, the best bat on
either side, stemmed disaster. So with two wickets in hand Cambridge
on the second evening led by 217, and directly play ceased rain fell
heavily. However, that rain proved our godsend, for a light roller on
it, binding the wicket together, made it better than at any previous
time in the match, which was saying a good deal. Eventually Oxford
was left with 330 to win, and up to that time the highest total ever
recorded on fourth hands in the University contest was 176. A bad
start was made, for at luncheon three good wickets were down for 81,
Mordaunt, Foster, and Warner being disposed of, the latter having
the unique experience of being twice run out in a University match.
With Pilkington and G. O. Smith together, it dawned on the Oxonian
supporters that, after all, victory was not out of the question. From
this time, helped by a few errors in the field, we never looked back.
I had an enjoyable partnership with the hero of the game, and before
I was caught at the wicket, a possible victory was in sight, for the
sting had gone out, to a great extent, of the Cambridge attack (G. L.
Jessop, C. E. M. Wilson, E. B. Shine, and P. W. Cobbold). Bardswell
followed me, full of confidence, and hit with bland imperturbability,
scoring the winning stroke, being missed off it, by the way, by Burnup.
Of G. O. Smith’s innings of 132 it is impossible to speak too highly,
and he thoroughly deserved his memorable ovation, the whole pavilion
rising and cheering him. All said and done, looking back, apart from
unbounded admiration for his prowess, the great factor of Oxford’s
success was undoubtedly the fielding. We had precious little bowling,
and conventional fielding would have given us no chance. The game was
won by the work of the eleven in combination, and if only the fielding
in first-class matches were what it should be, drawn games would be
very rare. Reform the fielding, and then the laws of the game will need
but little reformation.”
By this time it will have been noticed that the Light Blues had been
reinforced by that prince of hard hitters, Mr. G. L. Jessop, who was a
tearaway bowler to boot, and that admirable batsman, Mr. C. J. Burnup,
the new Kent captain. The succession of clever Cambridge wicket-keepers
was kept up by Mr. E. H. Bray, than whom no one ever kept his hands
closer to the sticks. After this, for the next few years University
cricket undoubtedly fell a little flat. It was overshadowed to an
unfortunate extent by the more absorbing interest evinced in county
cricket. There were excellent cricketers on each side, but the teams
were not so cohesive as that of 1896, had not the same proportion
of really prominent amateurs as heretofore, and—here is the chief
point—the idea had become prevalent that the keenness of the game was
relaxed in the trial matches. So thoroughly was this re-established in
1902, so keen was the big match that year, and so bright the prospects
of the game in the immediate future at both Universities, that it is
permissible to frankly state so much, and to regard the years between
1896 and 1902 as ebb years, in comparison to the onward flow from 1889
to 1896.
But there was one gorgeous piece of cricket performed by the greatest
of recent undergraduates. Mr. R. E. Foster, the one batsman since Mr.
Norman Druce equally perfect to watch, played in 1900 a score of 171,
a new record in the match, the previous best contribution having been
Mr. Key’s 143 in 1886. An eye-witness wrote in that cricketer’s Bible,
_Wisden_: “The innings was not only a great one in a numerical sense,
but was in every way a magnificent display of batting. He only took
three hours and ten minutes to get his runs, and, so far as anyone
noticed, he did not give a single chance. Apart from the fact that he
once failed to bring off a more than usually daring pull, and that just
before he was out he made a dangerous stroke beyond mid-off, we did
not see any fault in his play. As a matter of record, it may be added
that he hit twenty-four fours, three threes, and thirteen twos. Hitting
more superb than his can scarcely have been seen since Yardley played
his great innings of 130 in 1872. He was equally strong all round the
wicket, driving magnificently on the off side, pulling with the utmost
certainty, and making any number of late cuts that were as safe as they
were effective.” It will be remembered that ten days later he followed
this up by scoring two separate hundreds for Gentlemen _v._ Players at
Lord’s, a feat never performed in this match by any other cricketer
appearing for either denomination. His average for Oxford was 77 for an
aggregate of 930, and he led his team through a victorious season, as
five matches were won, none lost, and four drawn.
Of other undergraduates, Mr. B. J. T. Bosanquet worked hard, getting
a good many wickets and scoring with reliable consistency. A superb
wicket-keeper was produced in Mr. H. Martyn, for with a style that was
a model of neatness, he was particularly strong on the leg side, as
well as a forcing bat. Not nearly enough credit was given to Mr. C. H.
B. Marsham for his exceptionally meritorious century on fourth hands,
and in disadvantageous circumstances, in the University match of 1901.
It was not until a year later that he came to be generally recognised
as a batsman of judicious temperament, possessing a very pretty knack
of placing the ball hard on the off side. On contemporary Oxford it
would be unfair to pass judgment, but it is at least permissible to
express the belief that Mr. W. H. B. Evans (nephew of the once-renowned
bowler) will fulfil our high expectation, and that Mr. W. Findlay is
one of the best custodians of the sticks to be found in current cricket.
Turning to Cambridge, the brothers Wilson have emulated the feat of the
brothers Foster at Oxford, and each scored a century in the University
match. The elder, Mr. C. E. M. Wilson, in his four University matches
scored 351, with an average of nearly 44, and took twelve wickets at
a cost of 21 runs apiece. The younger, Mr. E. R. Wilson, in a similar
series of fixtures, averaged 42, with an aggregate of 296, and captured
nineteen wickets for less than 22 runs each. These meritorious figures
were achieved by steady cricket, which never pandered to a gallery,
never took a risk, nor for one moment became really brilliant. For
comparison, it may be added that Mr. R. E. Foster averaged 48 for a
total of 342. Of the other Cantabs, Mr. T. L. Taylor, of course, has
been the soundest and greatest bat. Indeed, on a wet wicket he has
rarely had a superior. Mr. S. H. Day has proved himself to be amongst
the best of young cricketers, and Mr. E. M. Dowson with bat and ball
has done yeoman service. As a singularity, it may be mentioned that in
1902 Mr. E. F. Penn reappeared in the eleven, after being two years
absent at the war.
To mention the legion who have passed from their University eleven into
that of the Gentlemen would take up too much space, but it may be of
interest to give a list of those who have represented England in the
test matches at home:—
OXFORD CAMBRIDGE
Lord Harris (Eton). A. P. Lucas (Uppingham).
Sir T. C. O’Brien. A. G. Steel (Marlborough).
E. F. S. Tylecote (Clifton). A. Lyttelton (Eton).
C. B. Fry (Repton). C. T. Studd (Eton).
L. C. H. Palairet (Repton). G. E. MacGregor (Uppingham).
F. S. Jackson (Harrow).
K. S. Ranjitsinhji.
G. L. Jessop.
A. O. Jones (Bedford).
Batting—25 inn., 404 runs, 69 inn., 2316 runs, 33.39
16.4 average. average.
Bowling—18 runs, 0 wicket. 1265 runs, 36 wickets, 35.5
average.
And further, one of the writers, who is in the habit of perpetrating
statistics, has made out that against Australians in this country, in
eleven-a-side matches, Oxonians (past and present) have scored 10,439
runs in 527 completed innings, averaging 19.426 per innings; and
Cantabs (past and present) have scored 17,834 runs in 924 completed
innings, averaging 19.276 per innings. The Oxford bowlers have claimed
270 Colonial wickets at a cost of 6202 runs, thus costing 22.282 runs
apiece; but the Cambridge bowlers, though they captured 392 wickets,
did so at an expense of 43.36 runs apiece, the aggregate being 16,892.
Passing from figures to matches, it may be as well to sketch the
programme of each University season. Directly term commences, usually
in April, when the weather is miserably cold and wet, and no one
has had any practice, comes the Seniors’ match. As the object of the
executive is to find new bowlers, it is obvious that the bowlers in
this game are none of the best, even judged by the low standard of
amateur attack. There is, as a rule, a large amount of heavy scoring,
but the fielding is slack, and the fixture is invested with little
real keenness. Far more enthusiasm is aroused by the Freshmen’s match.
Here is the pick of the public schools of the year before, with a
stray candidate from a colony or a private tutor’s. The cricket is
not co-operative, for each is trying to make a good impression “on
his own.” In the heat of modern competition, it is particularly
difficult for a batsman to obtain his blue as a freshman. With bowling
it is different, but the captain is prone to wait till the promising
undergraduate has acquired some experience in county cricket. Other
trial games are XII. _v._ Next XVI., the XI. _v._ XVI. Freshmen,
“Perambulators” _v._ “Etceteras.” The “Perambulators” are composed
of those who come from Eton, Winchester, Harrow, and Rugby, whilst
“Etceteras” are selected from those from other schools. Then come the
University fixtures. The opening is against a Gentlemen of England
team, of which one of the present writers has latterly had charge—a
very pleasant game for all concerned, and one provocative of no little
curiosity to see how the new men shape. As a rule a couple of counties,
M.C.C., and latterly Dr. Grace’s club, with the Australians, if on
tour, form the rest of the home fixtures. Thus far the University
captain has probably been varying his side a good deal, and has had one
or two extra places available for trials, because blues may be in the
schools. But by the time the out matches begin, if the eleven be not
pretty well together, matters cannot be altogether favourable. Good
cricket at the Oval and heavy scoring at Brighton are the preludes
to the final trial _v._ M.C.C. at Lord’s. Half the Oxford eleven now
never play in this latter engagement, and it must be said that there
is some reason for this, for whereas Cambridge get a clear three days’
rest before the ‘Varsity match at the Oval, Oxford sometimes only
get one day. The final place is often a matter of the most dubious
difficulty. There are often two men whose merits are almost equal, and
the decision, if wrong, may ultimately ruin the big match.
What a game it is, Oxford _v._ Cambridge, unrivalled for its sporting
keenness, and if it has proved a triumph to many, it has also been
a game of cruel disappointment in those who have been expected to
do best. The importance of the match to the funds of M.C.C. can be
gathered from the annual balance-sheet of the club, and considering
the difficulty of affording sufficient money for professionals and
other expenses at the Universities, it may be open to the consideration
of the committee if it would not be judicious were the premier club
to increase the amount of the annual donation to the rival centres
of education, whose delegates provide such an immense share of the
club revenue. If the University match were to be removed from
Lord’s—_absit omen_—it is obvious that the club in St. John’s Wood
would suffer far more than either Oxford or Cambridge. Such an exodus
is not probable, but the old order changes, and it would be wise as
well as generous if the committee could give more lavishly where it
receives so bountifully.
A survey of all the University matches seems to authorise two
deductions: Firstly, that, all else being equal, it is better to
choose for places in University teams men who have already played
before a crowd, because nervousness is so apt to overtake the novice
when participating in this fixture. Secondly, that the presence of a
formidable fast bowler is the best agency for victory. Matches, as a
rule, have gone to the team which backed up a destructive attack with
competent fielding, and there seems no reason why in this respect
history should not repeat itself. We may be permitted to conclude with
an expression of the sincere hope that University cricket may maintain
its high position, and that the big match will remain something in
which all the Empire shall continue to take legitimate pride and
interest, because it is the contest between the best of England’s youth
fought in true sporting fashion.
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