ESPNcricinfo staff
PHILIP ARGALL, one of the best of Australian umpires, died in Adelaide on April 3rd.
REV. HENRY SIDNEY ARMITSTEAD, who was born at the Hermitage, near Holmes Chapel, in Cheshire, on June 13th, 1837 died at Glyngarth, near Menai Bridge, on January 29th. For three years he was in the Charterhouse XI, and captain in his last, 1855, when Lillywhite said of him : " His thorough knowledge of the game enabled him to fill most ably the office of captain. His batting throughout the season was excellent. His style is good, and he possesses great freedom in hitting all round. His bowling throughout the season was well up to the mark. Perhaps a little more steadiness in his batting would improve his scores." Scores and Biographies states that he bowled middle-paced round-armed, approaching the fast, and in the field occupied " no place in particular," though often wicket-keeper. He was younger brother of the late Rev. W. G. Armitstead, of Oxford, and, like him, was one of the founders of the Free Foresters. As Mr. H. Instead, he played in the famous tie-match at Trent Bridge in 1863 between XIV Free Foresters and Nottinghamshire.
MR. UNDERWOOD ARMSTRONG, for many years a prominent figure in Detroit cricket, died in Detroit, U.S.A., in January. He was born at Stockton-on-Tees on September 14th, 1834.
MR. CHARLES AWDRY, J.P., of the Winchester XI of 1863, 1864, and 1865, was born on February 12th, 1847, and died at East Lavington Manor on March 28th. In his three matches with Eton he scored 110 runs with an average of 27.50, his highest innings being 46 in the match of 1864. Lillywhite described him as " A dashing left-handed bat, hitting well all round, and a dangerous bowler on his day." Upon proceeding to Oxford he preferred rowing to cricket, and so did not play against Cambridge at Lord's. For many years he was a partner in Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son. He was High Sheriff for Wilts in 1891-2, and was one of the founders of the Wiltshire County C.C. Since 1870 he had been a member of the M.C.C.
MR. ELLIOT SOUTHESK BALFOUR-MELVILLE, for some years a prominent member of the Grange C.C., died at Edinburgh on March 4th, aged 51. He was a younger brother of Mr. L. M. Balfour-Melville.
MAJOR HENRY BEAUCLEROK BETHUNE, who played occasionally for Hampshire from 1885 until 1897, and was born on November 16th, 1844, died on April 16th. His highest score in county cricket was 75 v. M.C.C. and Ground at Southampton, in 1891. In minor matches he played several long innings, including 219 for Corinthians v. United Services in 1890, 103 for Gentlemen of Hampshire v. Gentlemen of Canada in 1887, and 102 for United Services v. Parsis in 1886. He had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1888.
GEORGE JOHN BONNOR, born at Orange (N.S.W.), February 25th, 1855; died at Orange (N.S.W.), June 27th, 1912. Though he was last seen on an English cricket ground more than twenty years ago, George Bonnor had not in one sense outlived his fame, his doings being constantly recalled and talked about. He was, indeed, far too striking a personality to be forgotten in less than a generation. Australia has sent to England many finer batsmen, but no other hitter of such extraordinary power. During his five visits to this country-he came here with the Australian teams of 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, and 1888 and Bonnor earned a reputation akin to that of our own C. I. Thornton, the question being often discussed as to which of the two men could make the bigger drives. Whether Bonnor ever equalled Thornton's longest hit at Brighton, or his famous drive over the old racquet court at the Oval, is a moot point, but, be this as it may, the Australian in his own particular lino had only one rival. Bonnor was a splendid specimen of manhood. He stood about 6ft. 5in., but he was so finely proportioned that there was nothing ungainly in his figure or carriage. His presence contributed almost as much as his wonderful hitting to the popularity that he enjoyed wherever he played. He was not content to be a hitter pure and simple, setting himself at times to play quite an orthodox game. These efforts at steadiness afforded him some satisfaction. but they made his colleagues in various Australian elevens furious. They argued that his business was to hit, and that when he failed to fulfil his proper mission he was no use. Bonnor never met with much success as a batsman in Test matches in England, but in games only less important he played many a fine innings. One remembers in particular his 74 against the Gentlemen of England at the Oval in 1882. In the same season he gave a remarkable display against the Zingari at Scarborough. Nothing in Bonnor's career is more often recalled than the catch with which George Ulyett got him out in the England and Australia match at Lord's in 1884. Bonnor hit a half-volley; with all his force hand, and the ball stuck. Probably no harder hit was ever caught. Members of the England eleven gathered round Ulyett in wonderment at what he had done. The bowler said was that if the ball had hit his fingers he would have had no more cricket that season. Another famous catch--of quite a different kind--to which Bonnor was out was in the England and Australia match at the Oval in 1880.- the first test match in England. The ball was hit to such a tremendous height that the batsmen had turned for the third run when Fred Grace caught it. That great cricketer, who died a fortnight after the match, said he waa sure his heart stopped beating while he was waiting for the ball to drop. In first-class matches Bonnor scored 4,989 runs with an average of 20.70.
THE REV. WALTER BOURCHIER, of the Winchester XI of 1856, died at Fulham on May 3rd. He was born on December 20th, 1837, and had therefore completed his seventy-fourth year. His fame as a cricketer rests upon his fielding, especially at long-leg, where he covered much ground. In his match against Eton he scored only 2 and 0, and Winchester were beaten by an innings.
MR. JAMES CHALMERS BRODIE, the oldest of Australian cricketers, died at Balwyn, Victoria, on February 19th, aged 91. He assisted Victoria against Tasmania, at Launceston in 1851, in the first of the long roll of inter-colonial matches, and also played against New South Wales, scoring altogether 43 runs in six innings. In 1862 he figured in a few matches against Stephenson's team. He was a Scotchman by birth, but spent practically his whole life in Australia. He was the compiler of the Victorian Cricketers' Guide /or 1860-1.
MR. DIGBY CAYLEY, one of the original members of the Yorkshire Gentlemen's C.C., died on June 26th, aged 78. For some seasons he was a Very successful bowler. He was born on June 7th, 1834.
MR. DAVID CHAPEL, one of the best all-round members of the Grange C.C., died at Arbroath, on May 4th, aged 30. For three years in succession he played for Scotland against Ireland.
MR. PHILIP AUGUSTUS CHAMPION DE CRESPIGNY, who played for Hampshire v. Somerset at Bournemouth in 1880, scoring 2 and 3, was born on July 22nd, 1850, and died on September 4th, at Round Hill, Lyndhurst. As a naval lieutenant, he served in Her Majesty's ship Galatea under the Duke of Edinburgh in his Voyage round the world in 1871.
WILLIAM COOK, the father of William and Laurence Cook, who played for Lancashire, died on January 14th. For 31 years he was groundman at West Cliff.
EDWARD COWARD, a member of the well-known Lancashire cricketing family, died at Preston on August 16th, aged 72. He was one of the two last surviving founders of the Preston C.C.
MR. GRAHAM TRENT CUMBERBATCH, of the Spartan C.C. of Barbados, died on March 12th, aged 39.
MR. HERBERT MONTAGUE CUMMINS, a staunch supporter of the game in Barbados, died on April 17th.
DR. DAVID CHARLES CUTHBERT, one of the original members of the old Break-o'-Day C.C., of Hobart, and one of the oldest members of the Southern Tasmanian Cricketing Association, died in Hobart on July 6th.
DR. OSWALD J. DAMIAN, well-known in Metropolitan cricketing circles as a member of the London County and Wanderers C.C., died in a nursing-home in London on June 14th.
MR. MAURICE DE CHARLEROY, a good bowler belonging to the Hudson County C.C., died at Tappan, New York, on March 6th. He was born at Toulon, in France, on February 2nd, 1888.
MR. WILLIAM MILNE DONALD, for several years President of the Staten Island C.C., died at New Brighton on March 8th. He was born at Huntly, Scotland, on January 18th, 1842.
SIR ALFRED ERASMUS DRYDEN, 8th Bart,--a direct descendant, though on the distaff side, of the famous John Dryden--was born October 14th, 1821, and died at Canons Ashby, Byfield, Northants, on April 2nd. He was in the Eleven both at Winchester and Oxford, playing for the former in 1839 and 1840, and against Cambridge in 1841 and two following years. In his four Public School matches he made 40 runs in eight innings, and in his three University matches 56 in six, his highest score being 28 in 1841.
MR. WILLIAM MILNE DONALD, for several years President of the Staten Island C.C., died at New Brighton on March 8th. He was born at Huntly, Scotland, on January 18th, 1842.
SIR ALFRED ERASMUS DRYDEN, 8th Bart,--a direct descendant, though on the distaff side, of the famous John Dryden--was born October 14th, 1821, and died at Canons Ashby, Byfield, Northants, on April 2nd. He was in the Eleven both at Winchester and Oxford, playing for the former in 1839 and 1840, and against Cambridge in 1841 and two following years. In his four Public School matches he made 40 runs in eight innings, and in his three University matches 56 in six, his highest score being 28 in 1841.
MR. WALLACE DUNCES, of the Sefton Park C.C.,died in Liverpool, of consumption, on January 19th, at the early age of 22. He had played occasionally for Lancashire 2nd XI.
THE REV. ROBERT BRUCE DUNDAS,of the Harrow XI of 1838 and 1839, died at Leamington on February 6th, aged 90. In his four Public School matches he made 70 runs in six competed innings, and against Eton in 1839 was the most successful run-getter for his side with 24 and 5. He was Rector of Harpole for 51 years.
THE REV. GEORGE RICHARD DUPUIS, who was born at Eton on March 23rd, 1835, died at Sessay, in Yorkshire, on January 30th. He was in the Eton XI in 1851 and two following years, and was on the losing side in all six Public School matches in which he took part. In those games he made 84 runs in twelve innings, his highest score being 34 v. Harrow in 1851. Mr. Dupuis was in the Cambridge Eleven in 1857, when, although he was the most successful batsman on his side with 23 and 35 not out, Oxford won by 81 runs. He was elected captain in 1858, but being appointed to a mastership at Eton had to resign the post and commence at Eton the good work which Messrs. R. A. H. Mitchell and C. M. Wells have continued. Scores and Biographies says of him : " Height 6ft. 2ins., and weight between 13st and 14st... A fine, free hitter, and in the field was generally long-leg, cover-point and middle-wicket off." He had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1871.
JOHN ELICIHS BENEDICT BERNARD PLACID QUIRK CARRINGTON DWYER-always referred to as E. B. Dwyer- died on October 19th at Crewe, where he had been engaged during the season. He was born on May 3rd, 1876, at Sydney (N.S.W)., where all his early cricket was played, first with the Redfern Wednesday C.C. and afterwards with Redfern. On P. F. Warner's suggestion he came to England in the spring of 1904, and early that year, whilst engaged temporarily at Lord's, came under the notice of C. B. Fry, who persuaded him to qualify for Sussex. His first match for the county was in 1906 and his last three seasons later, when, owing to Lack of form, he dropped out of the side. In 1906 he took 96 wickets for 26.80 runs each, and in the following year 58 at an average cost of 27.65. Although having good pace, he was an unequal howler, but deadly on his day. In 1906 he took nine wickets in an innings for 35 runs against Derbyshire, at Brighton, and sixteen for 100- the first time for 80 years so many had been obtained by a bowler for Sussex in a match vs Notts. on the same ground.
In 1907, by taking six for 25 against the South Africans, he had a great deal to do with the Colonials being dismissed for 49, their smallest total during their tour. At times he hit hard and well, and at Brighton in 1906 scored 63 out of 82 in fifty minutes against Surrey. Dwyer was a great-grandson of Michael Dwyer, the Wicklow chieftain, who was one of the boldest leaders in the Irish insurrection of 1798. He held out for five years in the Wicklow mountains and was exiled in 1804 to Australia, where he died in 1826.
MR. JOHN EDMUND EASTWOOD died at Huddersfield on September 28th, 1912, aged 65. He was a well-known local cricketer in his younger days, and played several times against the All England Eleven. Until his health failed him, he was always to he seen at Yorkshire's matches.
THE REV. CHARLES CHRISTOPHER ELLISON, who appeared for the Gentlemen of Lincolnshire for several seasons, died at the Manse, Bracebridge, Lincolnshire, on March 11th, aged 77. When at Cambridge he was a member of the Trinity Eleven. In 1865 he made 55 against the Gentlemen of Yorkshire at York.
MR. GERALD FITZGIBBON, who was born in London in 1852, died at Brooklyn on March 16th. He played for Leatherhead and other Surrey clubs in the eighties, and, later, for Manhattan and Brooklyn in America. He was a steady batsman and useful wicket-keeper.
JOSEPH FLINT, who died on November 2nd, was born at Wirksworth, near Glossop, on May 12th, 1844, and was thus in his 69th year at the time of his death. He was a good slow round-armed bowler, with a break-back, a useful batsman and a good field at slip or point. His career as a county cricketer was short, for his first match for Derbyshire was in 1872 and his last in 1879, and he did not appear for the side in 1876 or 1877. His greatest feat was for XVI of Derbyshire against Notts at Wirksworth in 1873, when he and W. Mycroft, bowling unchanged, got the visitors out for 14, the former taking six wickets for 7 runs and the latter four for 6. Among his other good performances for the county may be mentioned his eleven for 87 v. United Eleven in 1874, his four for 14 v. Lancashire at Manchester in the same year, and his six for 28 v. M.C.C. and Ground at Lord's in 1879.
CAPT. L. D. FURBER, of the 2nd king's Shropshire Infantry, died in Ireland on June 6th of peritonitis, following an operation for appendicitis. In Army matches he made a great many runs, and in the course of an innings of 196 for the 3rd Division against Alton, at Alton, in 1906, put on 342 for the second wicket with Lieut. Muirhead (156) and hit ten 6's and twenty-three 4's.
THE REV. LIONEL GANNETT, of the Eton XI of 1860 and two following years, died at Belfast on May 1st, aged 68. In his three matches with Harrow he made only 28 runs in five innings, and his one wicket--R. D. Walker's, in 1860--cost 59 runs. Lillywhite said of him :--" A steady bat, with good style. Fair change bowler." He was a member of the Free Foresters, and for some years played with the Garnett family in their matches against that club. He held the living of Christleton, Chester, for forty years, and since 1906 had been Hon. Canon of Chester.
MR. JOHN GIBSON, for some years Hon. Treasurer to the New South Wales Cricket Association, died in March. He resigned the position named in 1896.
MR. ALEXANDER GILLESPIE, a fine all-round Canadian cricketer died at Toronto on March 7th. He was born at Hamilton on July 16th, 1861, and was educated at Upper Canada College, Toronto. From 1881 to 1893 he appeared in every match played between Canada and the United States, and also in the games of 1895, 1900 and 1901. In these international fixtures he made 293 runs with an average of 12, and took forty-eight wickets at a cost of 11 runs each. In 1887 he visited England with the Gentlemen of Canada, and showed good all-round form without doing anything remarkable. He was a steady batsman and a round-armed bowler of medium pace. His highest score was 117 for Hamilton against Toronto in 1881.
Mr. A. J. GRANT-COOK, who shot himself on May 8th, whilst travelling from Colombo to Kandy, was born on December 26th, 1860, and educated at Felstead. At one time he was a well-known figure in New York cricket, and, later, in connection with the game in Ceylon. In 1910 he took all ten wickets in an innings for 34 runs for Colombo C.C. v. Kalutara on the latter's ground.
DR. HERBERT STANLEY GREAVES, for a few years one of the best batsmen in Barbados, died on July 7th, at the early age of 35.
WILLIAM HAMPSON, who was born at Marsden, near Huddersfield, on August 1st, 1857, died there on February 6th. He was an excellent slow left-hand bowler and after taking four wickets for 33 runs for 22 Colts against Yorkshire at Sheffield in May, 1882, was asked to play with the county, but his club--Middlesbrough--refused him the necessary leave of absence. As a consequence, Peel filled the vacancy and retained the position. That year Hampson took 213 wickets for six runs each, and subsequently declined invitations to qualify for Lancashire, Sussex, Middlesex, and Warwickshire.
MR. JOHN CAMDEN HAYWARD, who died at Farningham on January 23rd, was born at Dartford on August 8th, 1839. He was a member of the Winchester XI of 1856, and in the match with Eton made only 4 in each innings. In later years he played occasionally for the Gentlemen of Kent, and in their match with the Gentlemen of Berkshire at Gore Court in 1860 made the highest score--33-- obtained for either side.
MR. WILLIAM OXENHAM HEWLETT, of the Harrow XI of 1862 and 1863, was born on March 30th, 1845, and died at Parkside, Harrow, on March 2nd. Lillywhite said of him," A very good long-stop, and indeed first-rate field anywhere. Hits well at times, but wants much more defence to become a good bat." In his three innings against Eton he made only one run. Since 1869 he had been a member of the M.C.C.
JOHN HICKS, who played in fifteen matches for Yorkshire between 1872 and 1876, died of pneumonia at York on June 10th. He was born December 10th, 1850, and was therefore in his 62nd year at the time of his death. He scored 313 runs for his county with an average of 14.22, his highest innings being 66 v. Surrey at the Oval in 1875. In the Whit-Monday match at Lord's in 1875 between the North and the South, he scored nine in each innings, being bowled by Southerton in his first innings and lbw to " W.G." in his second. Southerton took sixteen wickets for 52 runs, and the match was completed in a day.
THE REV. WALTER MARSHAM HOARE, of the Eton XI of 1858 and three following years, was born on August 13th, 1840, and died on April 15th. In his four matches with Harrow he made 95 runs with an average of 19, his highest score being 51 in his last year. He has been described as a remarkably fine field and a steady bat. He was always a brilliant field at long-leg and cover-point. At Oxford he rowed stroke of the eight against Cambridge on three successive occasions : his crew were each time successful, and never won by less than half-a-minute. He was the father of a whole race of cricketers. For 44 years he was Rector of Colkirk, near Fakenham.
MR. WILLIAM DE MATTOS HOOPER, for many years a most staunch supporter of the game in the United States, died at Summit, New Jersey, on January 20th. He was born at Sydenham in 1850, and settled in America in 1870.
MR. WALTER B. HORN, at one time well-known in connection with the Lafayette C.C., of Brooklyn, died at Hollis, Long Island, on October 10th, aged 60. He was a first-rate bowler in his day.
MR. SAMUEL HOSFORD, of the Manhattan C.C. of Brooklyn, died at Ridgewood, New Jersey, on January 11th, aged 75. Four times he was elected President of the Club, with which he was connected for over 30 years, and of which he was at one time captain.
MR. REGINALD HOWELL, who played in three matches for Surrey in 1878 and 1879, died at Esher on August 3rd. He was born at Streatham on April 16th, 1856, and was educated at Tonbridge, but, leaving at the age of 15, was not in the Eleven. 'Scores and Biographies' says of him;- "Is a good batsman, bowls slow round-armed, and fields generally at cover-point." He had served on the committee of the Surrey County C.C.
MR. ERNEST HUME, for eight years a selector of teams for the New South Wales Cricket Association, died in London of pneumonia on June 22nd, at the early age of 43. In Sydney he was associated with the Redfern C.C. For New South Wales v. XV of Queensland at Brisbane in March, 1889, he took five wickets for 17. In 1895-6 he toured New Zealand as a member of the N.S.W. team captained by L. T. Cobcroft.
MR. JOHN ARTHUR HUSTLER, who had played a lot of cricket in Yorkshire with the Rawdon, Yeadon, and Guiseley Clubs, died suddenly of heart failure at Rawdon on February 2nd, at the age of 44.
MR. ANDREW LANG, one of the most charming writers on the game, was born at Selkirk on March 31st, 1844, and died at Banchory, Deeside, on July 21st, aged 68. Among the books to which he contributed were Imperial Cricket, Rings of Cricket, and the Badminton Cricket, but he wrote innumerable articles and some most graceful poems on the game. He was an elder brother of the late Mr. T. W. Lang, and had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1875.
MR. WILLIAM JAMES LAIDLEY, F.R.G.S., of the Grange G.C., died at Glenbrook, Isle of Wight, on October 25th, aged 66. About thirty-five years ago he was one of the best and most effective bowlers in Scotland, and frequently did well in representative matches. In 1873 he took seven wickets in an innings for Edinburgh v. Glasgow and five for 18 for XVIII of Edinburgh against the United South of England Eleven. At times, too, he scored well, and for Edinburgh v. Glasgow in 1877 was the most successful batsman in the match, with 35 not out and 32. He was a member of the English and Scottish Bars, a founder of the New English Art Club, and for a number of years a constant exhibitor at the Salon, the Royal Academy, and the New Gallery.
THE RT. HON. WILLIAM LOATHER, who was fond of the game and frequently attended matches at Campsea Ash, his beautiful place in Suffolk, died at Felixstowe on January 23rd. He was born on December 15th, 1821, and was father of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
CAPT. JAMES J. MAcDONOGH, who visited Bermuda with the Philadelphian teams of 1908, 1910, and 1911, and Jamaica with the team of 1909, died in Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, on January 26th, aged 40. He was a free-hitting, attractive batsman, and a very good change bowler. In a match against Jamaica in 1909 he played fine cricket for 86 and 59. He represented the United States against Canada in 1909 at Montreal and in 1911 at Toronto. Capt. MacDonogh was one of the participants in the Jameson Raid : he had also served with distinction in the Boer War and had seen service in Egypt.
MR. HORACE MAGEE, who was born in Philadelphia on November 29th, 1846, died at his native place on January 4th. For many years he was a member of the Philadelphia C.C., and in the early eighties was Secretary of the Club. He played against Willsher's team in 1868 and R. A. FitzGerald's in 1872, and in 1874 helped Philadelphia to win the Halifax Cup in Nova Scotia. He was a free bat, an effective bowler, and a good field.
MR. HENRY MARTIN died at Leicester, his native place, on May 8th, aged 63. He went to America in 1882, and became associated with the Manhattan C.C., being its president and captain for several seasons. He helped to form the New York Veterans' Cricket Association, and was also one of the organizers of the Metropolitan District Cricket League. in 1891, 1892, and 1899 he was President of the latter body.
MR. DONALD M. McAULAY died in Barbados on January 27th, aged 46. He appeared for the West Indies against the American team at Georgetown in 1888, and represented Barbados in Intercolonial Tournaments, and against the English teams of Mr. R. S. Lucas, Lord Hawke, and Sir A. Priestley. He was a free bat, a useful change bowler and an excellent field.
MR. WILLIAM J. MCCAFFREY, one of the best known cricketers in Toronto, died on September 28th, aged 39. He and his mother, wife, and two children were drowned whilst canoeing in Pigeon Creek, about 70 miles East of Toronto.
MR. FRANCIS HENRY MORICE, who played a lot of cricket in Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin, died on June 19th at the last-mentioned place. He was born in Canada in 1851, and was a free and attractive batsman.
THE REV. AUGUSTUS ORLEBAR, the last survivor of the Rugby School v. M.C.C. match of June, 1841, immortalised in Tom Brown's School Days, died on September 30th, aged 88, at Willington, Bedfordshire, of which place he had been Vicar 54 years. He entered Rugby School in 1838 and was in the Eleven in 1841, 1842, and 1843, being captain the two last seasons. In the match referred to against the M.C.C. he scored only 12 and 1, but in the first innings of his opponents he made a remarkably fine left-handed catch at cover-point which dismissed F. Thackeray, a former Cambridge Blue. His highest score at Rugby was 53 for The School against The Sixth in 1842, but in the following year he did a far better thing in making 23 against Nottingham, who had Redgate to bowl for them. In latter years he played occasionally for Bedfordshire. It is of interest to recall that Mr. Orlebar was the original of Tom Brown in his fight with 'slogger' Williams, who still survives in the person of the Rev. Bulkeley Owen Jones.
MR. HUGH GLENDWR PALMER OWEN, for nearly twenty years a member of the Essex Eleven, was born at Bath on May 19th, 1859, and died at Landwyck, Southminster, on October 20th. He was educated privately and at Corpus Christi, Cambridge, where, although he did well in College matches--in 1882 he averaged 52 for sixteen innings--he did not obtain his blue. On the strength of a score of 44 for the XVI against the XI in 1882, he was chosen for the match with the M.C.C. at Cambridge, but, scoring only nine and five, was not tried again for the University. His earliest success in county cricket was an innings of 51 for Essex v. M.C.C. and Ground at Lord's in 1881, but his career as a county player really dates from 1881, in which year he scored 64 not out v. Hertfordshire and 52 v. Northants. His steady and sound batting was for years of the greatest value to the side, but it will be by his captaincy that he will always be chiefly remembered. He took over the leadership in 1895 and retained it until his retirement from first-class cricket in 1901, proving himself during that period a most cheerful, popular, and able captain. Of the many fine innings he played mention may be made of his 153 against Leicestershire at Leyton in 1889, when he went in first and carried out his bat, and his 109 and 86 not out in the match with Oxford University on the same ground five years later.
At one time Mr. Owen was qualified for three counties--Somerset by birth, Derbyshire by residence, and Essex by family home, but the last named was the only side of the three for which be ever played. In club cricket he did many notable things : thus, for the Bradwell and Tillingham C.C. in 1885 he averaged 185 for six innings, and in 1887 for Trent College, where he was a master for nine years, made five hundreds and scored 1809 runs. In 1888, between June 16th and July 19th he made 35, 104, 205, 31, 119, 55, and 23 in successive innings, and was dismissed only once--when he obtained 55. In 1889 he scored 1839 runs and took 108 wickets with his right-hand medium-paced deliveries, and in a match against Tibshelf in July, 1890, carried his bat through both innings of Trent College for 27 and 46. In one season his figures for Notts Forest Amateurs were quite a curiosity, being 5--4--61 not out--244-244.00. Mr. Owen had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1885.
MR. ALLARAN S. PEGLOTTE, of Ceylon, died in the first week of January. He was born on December 5th, 1878, and did good all-round work in turn for the Royal College and the Colts C.C.
SIR CHARLES PONTIFEX, K.C.I.E., born on June 5th, 1831, died at South Kensington on July 27th. In 1851 and 1853 he played for Cambridge v. Oxford, but was too ill to do so in 1852, when his side could muster only ten men. In 1851 he obtained ten wickets, and in 1853, when captain, was second in the batting averages to A. R. Ward. He was a good batsman and an excellent left-hand medium-paced bowler. In 1851 he scored 61 for Gentlemen of England v. Gentlemen of Sussex at Brighton, and in the following year made his first appearance for the Gentlemen of Kent. Playing once for the B.B. against a Garrison team at Canterbury he dismissed Alfred Lubbock, then at his best, for a pair of spectacles. Sir Charles, who had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1870, was one of the best tennis players of his day at Cambridge.
The HON. C. E. POOLEY, ex-Speaker of the Legislature of British Columbia, died on March 28th, at Victoria, B.C. In 1869 he was a member of the Victoria team which played a couple of matches in San Francisco.
MR. CHARLES FOYLE RANDOLPH, of the Winchester XI of 1850, was born on November 8th, 1833, and died at Kimpton, Andover, Hants, on February 23rd. Against Eton he failed to score, and in the match with Harrow he made seven for once out and took two wickets. He did not obtain his Blue at Cambridge.
THE REV. CYRIL RANDOLPH, who played for Eton in 1841, 1842, and 1843, and for Oxford in 1844 and 1845, was born at Eastry on February 9th, 1826, and died at Chartham, near Canterbury, on May 27th. He was called upon to do little bowling whilst at Eton, for among his contemporaries were G. Yonge, Walter Alarcon and Harvey Fellows. At Lord's in 1844 he took eight wickets in an innings for Oxford against M.C.C. and Ground, and with Yonge bowled unchanged throughout the match. Mr. Randolph was one of the original members of I Zingari, and appeared occasionally for the Gentlemen of Kent. On his second appearance at Lord's--against Harrow, in 1841--Emilin Bayley (now Bayley-Laurie) played his historic innings of 152, scoring more in his one innings. than his opponents did in their twenty-two.
THE REV. FRANCIS REED, who was born at Ottery St. Mary, in Devon, on October 24th, 1850, and played frequently for Somerset between 1870 and 1884, died in London on April 12th. It was said of him;- " Is a good average batsman, bowls middle-paced round armed, and fields generally at short slip." In 1878 he made 55 vs Hertfordshire at Barnard's Heath, St. Albans, and in 1884 carried out his bat for 57 against Hampshire at Southampton. He was educated privately and at Oxford.
MR. W. L. REES, a cousin of W. G. Grace, died at Gisborne, New Zealand, on May 13th, aged 76. A good all-round cricketer, he played for Victoria v. New South Wales in 1857, 1858, and 1865, and later on a few occasions for Auckland. He was chosen captain of the East Melbourne C.C. upon the formation of that Club over 50 years ago, and in his early days in New Zealand defeated single-handed an eleven in Auckland. He was a member of Parliament in the Dominion, and once made a stone-walling speech of about twenty hours.
MR. JOHN MAUNSELL RICHARDSON, who played for Harrow in 1864 and 1865, and for Cambridge in the three following years, died in London on January 22nd,in his 66th year. He was born at Limber, near Caistor, in Lincolnshire, on June 12th, 1846, and was an all-round sportsman, excelling at rackets, the long jump and hurdles, fencing, hunting and riding in addition to cricket. Scores and Biographies (viii-391) said of him :--" Is an excellent batsman, a splendid field, generally at a distance from the wicket, and can bowl slow round-armed well. He promised to turn out a first-rate cricketer, had he only continued the game." According to the Hon. Spencer Lyttelton, he anticipated the glide, which is now almost universal. Among Mr. Richardson's contemporaries at Harrow were C. F. Buller, W. B. Money, M. H. Stow, and A. N. Hornby. He made 29 and 24 in his two matches with Eton, who were beaten on each occasion by an innings. Proceeding to Cambridge, he obtained his Blue as a Freshman, but, although he was on the winning side in two of his three matches with Oxford, he made only 42 runs in six innings. in the field, especially at cover-point, his work was admirable. He played little serious cricket after leaving the University, but his name will occasionally be found in Lincolnshire, Quidnuncs, I Zingari, and Na Shuler matches. Playing once for the Jockeys against the Press he scored 188. Mr. W. Richardson, who played for Harrow in 1863, was his brother, and Mr. H. G. Southwell, of the School Eleven in 1848 and 1849, his father-in-law. Mr. J. M. Richardson, who was one of the best gentlemen jockeys ever seen, rode the winner of the Liverpool Grand National in 1873 and 1874. An excellent portrait of Mr. Richardson, whose reminiscences of the Eton v. Harrow match appeared in the Daily Telegraph in 1908, was published in Baily's Magazine of November, 1889.
TOM RICHARDSON, whose tragic end caused such a painful shock to his friends, was born at Byfleet, August 11th, 1870; died at St. Jean d'Arvey, July 2nd, 1912. He will live in cricket history as perhaps the greatest of all fast bowlers. Among the only men who can be placed with him are George Freeman, John Jackson, and William Lockwood. Many famous batsmen, among them Ranjitsinhji, contend that on his good days, Lockwood was more difficult to play than Richardson, but for consistent excellence there was no comparison between the two bowlers. While he was at his best--from 1893 to 1897 inclusive --Richardson scarcely knew what it was to be out of form. Allowing for the excellence of the wickets on which he had to bowl, it is quite safe to say that his work during those five years has never been surpassed.
Too much was exacted from him, but he ought not to have gone off as soon as he did. He began to lose efficiency before he was twenty-eight, and though for a year or two longer he did brilliant things he was never again his old self. A great increase in weight rather than hard work was responsible for his comparatively early decline. Looking at the matter in the light of after events, it was no doubt a misfortune that he paid a second visit to Australia. When in the autumn of 1897 he went out with Mr. Stoddart's second team, he was at the top of his form and the height of his fame, having just completed a wonderful season's bowling. In English first-class cricket in 1897 he took 273 wickets for less than 14.5 runs each. One remembers that when Mr. Stoddart's team sailed from Tilbury, Maurice Read was full of forebodings as to the effect the tour might have on Richardson's future, thinking that a winter's rest after his strenuous labours would have been far better for him than Test matches on Australian wickets.
After Richardson came home his falling off was plain for everyone to see. He took 161 wickets in first-class matches in 1898, but his bowling had lost its superlative quality, and only in two or three matches at the end of the season--notably against Warwickshire at the Oval--was he the Richardson of the previous year. He continued to assist Surrey for several seasons, playing for the county for the last time in 1904. After that he lived for a time at Bath and appeared once at least in the Somerset eleven, but he had become very bulky in figure, and his day for serious cricket was over.
In his prime Richardson had every good quality that a fast bowler can possess. Lithe and supple in figure he combined with his splendid physique an inexhaustible energy. While he kept his weight down to reasonable limits no day was too long for him. There have been faster bowlers--W. N. Powys, forty years ago, and C. J. Kortright and Ernest Jones, the Australian, in our own day--but for sustained pace through a long innings he perhaps never had an equal. Pace, however, was only one of his virtues. It was his pronounced off-break in combination with great speed that made him so irresistible. He took a long run up to the wicket and kept his hand very high at the moment of delivery. Purely a fast bowler, he did nearly all his best work on dry, run-getting wickets. A firm foothold was so essential to him, that he was far less effective after heavy rain than off-break bowlers of less pace, such as Spofforth and Charles Turner. Still, when the ground was dry on the surface and soft underneath he could be very deadly. One recalls a Surrey and Notts match at the Oval that began under those conditions. Mr. J. A. Dixon won the toss for Notts and, as it happened, practically lost the game before luncheon. Richardson on that August Bank Holiday was literally unplayable, fizzing off the pitch and breaking back five or six inches at his full pace.
As regards sustained excellence Richardson never did anything better than his wonderful effort in the last innings of the England v. Australia match at Manchester in 1896. After having made England follow on the Australians were left with 125 to get to win. They won the match by three wickets, but it took them three hours to get the runs. It was said at the time that during those three hours Richardson did not send down one really bad ball. He took six wickets and would have won the game if Briggs or Jack Hearne had given him any effective help. In the Test match at Lord's in the same season he did one of his finest performances, he and George Lohmann getting the Australians out on a perfect wicket for a total of 53. Richardson in that innings bowled eleven overs and three balls far 39 runs and six wickets. As contradictory statements have been made on the point, it is only right to say that at the outset of his career the fairness of Richardson's delivery gave rise to a great deal of discussion.
When he came out for Surrey in 1892 his action was condemned by, among others, the late W. L. Murdoch, and when in the Whit-Monday match at Trent Bridge in 1893 he gained for Surrey an easy victory over Notts, half the Notts eleven expressed a positive opinion that he threw his very fast ball. However, he soon learned to straighten his arm, and little or nothing more in the way of adverse criticism was heard. Like a wise man, Richardson in his great days treated himself as a bowler pure and simple. He once scored 60 against Gloucestershire at the Oval, but he never took his batting seriously. His business was to get wickets and, with that end in view, he kept himself fresh, seldom staying in long enough to discount his bowling. He was one of the pre-eminent cricketers of his generation.
MR. DAVID ALLEN ROBERTS, a member of the Haverford College XI which toured England in 1900, died on August 16th. He was born at Moorestown in May, 1880, and was Haverford's regular wicket-keeper in 1900 and two following years.
WILLIAM ROBERTSON, at one time probably the best bowler in New Zealand, died in April. For many years he played with marked success for Canterbury and Southland, his best feat perhaps being to take thirteen wickets for 163 for Canterbury v. Wellington at Christchurch in 1894-5. He was nothing of a bat, but was in great request as a coach.
MR. HENRY W. ROWLAND, who died at Baltimore, on February 29th, aged 64, founded the Baltimore Sons of St. George C.C., of which he held the secretaryship at the time of his death.
Mr. W. J. RENTING, Hon. Secretary of the South Melbourne C.C. in the sixties, died on January 12th at an advanced age.
CAPT. WAITER J. SETON, who wrote the article on the Public Schools for Wisden of 1905 and 1906, died on October 30th. He was for many years associated with the Incogniti, and had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1889. He was born on December 29th, 1864.
MR. ROBERT OWEN SHERIDAN, of the Philadelphia C.C., was born in Philadelphia on May 18th, 1885, and died there in January. He intended visiting England with the side the club sent last year.
MR. HENRY SKINNER, President of the South Melbourne C.C., died on February 12th.
WILLIAM STORER. Born at Butterley Hill, Derbyshire, 25th January, 1868; died at Derby, 5th March, 1912. Though he had dropped out of first-class matches for some time Storer was only in his 45th year. Derbyshire has perhaps never produced a more remarkable player. Storer came into great prominence as a wicket-keeper in 1893, when chosen for the M.C.C. in their second match that season with the Australians, the way he kept to Mr. Kortright's terrific bowling causing quite a sensation.
He remained at his best for several seasons, and was picked for England against Australia at Nottingham in 1899. In the meantime he developed into a first-rate batsman, making, among many big scores, 100 and 100 not out for Derbyshire against Yorkshire at Derby in 1896. In that year he scored 1,091 runs for Derbyshire, and headed the batting with the splendid average of 57. He was almost as successful for his county in 1898, when his average was 50. It is worthy of mention that in 1898 he was picked for the Players against the Gentlemen at Lord's for his batting alone--Lilley being the wicket-keeper--and with scores of 59 and 73 more than justified his selection. He went to Australia in the winter of 1897-98 as chief wicket-keeper for the second team taken out by Mr. Stoddart. In first-class cricket he made 12,999 runs, average 28.82 ; highest score, 216 not out v. Leicestershire, at Chesterfield in 1899. In first-class cricket he took 232 wickets for 34 runs each.
JAMES STUBBINGS, who played occasionally for Derbyshire between 1880 and 1893, died suddenly at Huddersfield on July 17th. He was born at Whitwell, near Chesterfield, on April 27th, 1856, and was a good fast round-armed bowler. Against Lancashire at Manchester in 1880 he took five wickets for 51, and v. Surrey at the Oval in 1892 four for 24. For 27 years be was professional to the Huddersfield C.C.
MR. THOMAS RICHARD SULIN, captain of I Zingari C.C., of Natal, died by his own hand at Lord's Cricket Ground, Durban, on July 30th. He was 32 years of age.
MR. JOHN B. THAYER, for some years one of Philadelphia's leading cricketers, went down in the Titanic on April 15th. He was born on April 21st, 1862, and was only fourteen when he played his first match for Merion. When he visited England as a member of the first Philadelphian team, in 1884, Lillywhite said of him :--" Bats in finished style, and, with more patience, would be the best in the team in that department. Can hit hard, and is a dangerous man when once well in. Bowls medium round-arm with good command of the ball and a break both ways. Is a splendid mid-off, and shows fine fielding whenever he is placed either at the boundary or close to the wicket." During that tour he made 817 runs with an average of 28, his highest score being 93 v. Gentlemen of Derby-shire, and took 22 wickets for 21 runs each. Owing to business claims, he was seldom seen in the cricket-field in later years, but to the end he took the greatest interest in the game.
THE REV. JOHN DAND TODD, Rector of Newton, near Folkingham, since 1897, died suddenly after conducting evening service on August 11th. Ho was born on September 19th, 1852, and was in the Winchester XI in 1871, when he was described as having great hitting powers and being a fair field near the wicket. He made only five runs in his two innings against Eton, who were beaten by 8 runs. He represented Oxford against Cambridge in the Sports, throwing the hammer in 1873, 1874, and 1875.
WILLIAM TRACEY, a slow log-break bowler, who had played with success against English teams in Australia, died at Newcastle (N.S.W.), on October 14th, at the age of 73. Against Lillywhite's side in December, 1876, he took four wickets in the first innings and six in the second.
MR. DAVID NORTH TROTTER, one of the best-known Irish cricketers, was born at Forthill, County Down, on May 24th, 1858, and died, after a long illness, in a private hospital in Dublin on March 17th. When only 17 he played an innings of 109 against the U.S.E.E., who had Lillywhite, Southerton, Fillery, W. G. and G. F. Grace and others to bowl for them. In 1877 he scored 234 for Dublin Universty v. Phoenix Park, and in 1881, in another match between the same sides, made 207 not out against the University bowling. In 1879 he visited America as a member of the Gentlemen of Ireland's team, when his best performance was to score 57 and 48 against XV of the Merion C.C.
MR. MEDHURST ALBERT TROUGHTON, who died at Kensington on January 1st, was a fine batsman and field and a useful slow under-hand bowler. Between 1864 and 1873 he appeared for Kent in 39 matches, scoring 981 runs with an average of 15.57, and taking ten wickets at a cost of 21.80 runs each. His highest innings for the county was 87 v. Yorkshire at Gravesend in 1865, but for the Gentlemen of Kent he twice exceeded the hundred, making 116 at Brighton in 1865 and 130 at Gravesend in 1867, each time against the Gentlemen of Sussex. In 1873 he scored 206 not out for Gentle-men of Mid-Kent v. South Norwood, and this ranked as the highest innings of his career. For Kent against Surrey at the Oval in 1865, he took five wickets for 70 in a total of 368. He was born at Milton, near Gravesend, on December 25th, 1839, and had been a member of the M.C.C. since 1872.
THE RT. Hon BEILBY LAWLEY, 3rd Lord Wenlock, was born on May 12th, 1849, and died at Portland Place, London, on January 15th. Although an enthusiastic cricketer, he was not in the Eleven at Eton or Cambridge, but in 1870 be became a member of the M.C.C. and fifteen years later was President of the Club. Whilst Governor of Madras, he and Lord Harris (then Governor of Bombay) more than once opened the innings together, especially for Ganeshkhind, whose ground had been made by the latter. Lord Wenlock was one of the three critics upon whose advice Lord Harris asked W. C. Hedley to stand out of the Kent team owing to his doubtful delivery in bowling.
MR. ISSAC HEMINGWAY WILLIAMSON, for nearly twenty years wicket-keeper of the Dewsbury and Savile C.C., died at Dewsbury on February 28th, aged 59.
MR. HARRY WORSLEY, well-known in Canadian Club cricket, died at Winnipeg on April 3rd. Be was born at Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire, on November 5th, 1865.
JOHN WRIGHT, of Cheshire, who was born at Nantwich on September 23, 1861, died at his native place on November 5th. He was described as " A fast round-armed bowler, rather uncertain ; a good bat, and fields well near the wicket." At various times he accepted engagements at Manchester, Stockport, Weston-super-Mare, Nelson, and Sale, and in 1885 took part in the North v. South match at Lord's, played for the benefit of the family of F. Morley. In that game he did little, making only 3 and 0, but on the same ground six years later he played a good innings of 65 for Cheshire against M.C.C. and Ground, who had Pougher and Pickett to bowl for them.
MR. JOHN REGINALD YORKE, of the Eton XI of 1851 and 1852, was born at Forthampton Court, Tewkesbury, on January 25th, 1836, and died at Bletchingley, Surrey, on March 27th. In his four Public School matches he made 84 runs with an average of 10.50, his highest innings being 41 v. Winchester in 1863. He was considered somewhat disappointing as a batsman, but he was a very active fieldsman. He was High Sheriff for Gloucestershire in 1892.
MR. J. W. ZULCH, sen., who died at Johannesburg on July 26th, was the father of J. W. Zulch, who visited Australia in 1910-11, and was himself a good cricketer. He took part in the first Currie Cup Tournament.
The following Deaths occurred during 1911, but particulars were not received in time for inclusion in WISDEN's ALMANACK for 1912:
MR. WILLIAM WILSON BARKER, for ten years President of the now defunct Leeds Leamington C.C., died at Barwick-in-Elmete, Leeds, on November 27th, aged 77.
MR. REGINALD ALEXANDER DUFF died in Sydney, December 13th, 1911. R. A. Duff had for some time dropped out of first-class cricket in Australia, but in his day he ranked among the best batsmen. Born in New South Wales on August 17th, 1878, he ought to have had a longer career. He came to England with the Australian teams of 1902 and 1905, and was highly successful in both tours. In 1902 he scored over 1,500 runs with an average of 28, and in 1905 over 1,400 runs, his average, curiously enough, being the same as before. Thanks largely to an innings of 146 at the Oval, he came out first of the Australian batsmen in the Test matches in 1905, making 335 runs with an average of 41. He was never the same man after his second visit to this country, quickly losing his form. For a few years in Australia he did brilliant things, being scarcely inferior to any batsman in the Commonwealth, except Trumper, Hill, Noble, and, for one season, Mackay. In 1902-03, at Sydney, for New South Wales against South Australia, he and Trumper scored 298 together for the first wicket, and in the same season, on the same ground, they sent up 267 for the first wicket against Victoria. A year later they scored 113 together for the first wicket against Victoria, and in the second innings hit off, without being separated, the 119 runs required to win the match. In the same season of 1903-04, Duff, for New South Wales against South Australia, at Sydney, played an innings of 271, Noble scoring 230. Further back, in 1900/01, when he was becoming famous, Duff contributed 119 to New South Wales's record total of 918 against South Australia, at Sydney, four other batsmen getting over a hundred each. Duff was a very punishing player, with splendid driving power.
SIR WILLIAM GRANTHAM, the famous judge, died in London on November 30th, aged 76. He was born October 23rd, 1835, and, although never much of a player, was very fond of the game. In 1885, and again in 1886, he broke a tendon whilst playing, and when over seventy years of age took part in a match.
SIR HENRY HARBEN, D.L., J.P., died at Warnham Lodge on December 2nd, in his 89th year. He was a keen supporter of Sussex cricket and President of the County Club in 1901 and 1906. It was largely through him that Bland qualified for Sussex, and that Cox was tried in the County Eleven. He was born at Bloomsbury on August 24th, 1823, and was a cousin of the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain.
CANON SIR JOHN LEIGH HOSKYNS, 9th Bart., died suddenly at Bournemouth on December 8th. Born on February 4th, 1817, he was the oldest Rugbeian, and had played for the Sixth and the School as far back as 1835. He had been Rector of Aston Tyrrold, Berks., since 1845. His golden wedding was celebrated in 1906, and he was survived by his wife, then in her 95th year.
MR. CHARLES HENRY ARCHIBALD LOCK, who had played occasionally for Norfolk, died at Norwich on August 23rd.
MR. NORMAN M'LEOD, the father of Messrs. C. E. and R. W. M'Leod, died at Toorak, Melbourne, on October 13th, aged 87. He was a keen follower of the game, but never gained any note as a player.
THE REV. JOHN CHARLES PINNEY, of the Eton XI of 1853 and 1854, died at Coleshill Vicarage, near Birmingham, on December 12th. In his four Public School matches he made only 31 runs in seven innings and was on the losing side on every occasion. Lillywhite's Guide said of him : " A good field and fair bat ; bowling not so good as might have been expected from the show of the preceding year." He did not obtain his blue at Cambridge.
MR. SAM SMITHSON, at one time a well-known club cricketer in the Heavy Woollen District, died at Bright's Cottage, Heckmondwike, on December 11th, aged 71. His torte was fast bowling, and in the match between the U.S.E.E. and XX of Batley in June, 1876, he bowled W. G. Grace with the first ball he sent down.
MR. AUGUSTUS BERNARD TANCRED, eldest member of the well-known South African brotherhood, died at Cape Town on November 23rd, after an operation. He was born at Port Elizabeth in 1865, and educated at St. Aidan's College, Grahamstown. For about ten years he was undoubtedly the finest batsman in South Africa, and in club cricket met with remarkable success, his best remembered feat being to score 132 and 103 not out for Eclectic v. Union at Pretoria in 1896-7. For South Africa against England at Cape Town in March, 1889, he carried his bat through the innings of 47 for 26, being the only player to reach double-figures against Briggs, Ulyett, and Fothergill. His defence was very strong, and he was a good field at point. In 1894 he was asked to visit England as a member of the first South African team, but was unable to do so owing to the claims of business.