THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3212, 15 October 1881, Page 4

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS.

The team of professional players no w on its way out to the colonies is, perhaps, the strongest all-round teatn that has visited shores for many years. It i 8 in nearly ail respects thoroughly representative of the players of the Old Country, and an a professional team could hardly be bettered. The only weak point is the omission of a first-chue fast bowler, such as Mycroffc, Moriey, or Allan Hill. Of slow or mediumpace bowling there is, however, no lack, as the very best bowling talent in England is represented in the eleven. With four such cracks as Shaw, Peate, Bates, and Barlow, •with Midwinter, Barnes, and Lillywhite as change bowlers, the visitors must be set down aB wonderfully strong in one of the most important departments of the game. In batting tho professionals are equally powerful. Of the twelve players who have been selected, eight are really first-class, viz :—Barnes, Bates, Barlow, E. Loclcwood, Midwinter, Selby, Shrewsbury and Ulyett, and Shaw has so improved in batting form this last season as almost to warrant his name being added to the list. In Pilling the visitors possess the finest professional •wicket-keeper in Fngland, and the team is, taken as a whole, a pjiod fielding one. _ Great care has evidently been taken in the selection of the players, and a more judicious pick could hardly have been made. We append a short criticism of each player, ns wpII tis the batting and howling averages, compiled from the ftrst-flass matches played (.v.:- „.....„.,. ~o t-o t>... date of the last files received from Home.

•■arl'.w, R. (' anwh're'K age'3l—A most pattern and steady bat. with very strong flwfenc" and one of the longest "stayers" in f-'nsjland Has attained the first rank as a bowler (<h>w round left). Good field at

poinfc. Barnes, W. (Notts), age 29—A very fine bat, although not up to last year's form, when he headed the pi-ofessional averages ; useful change bowler (fast round) and good field.

Bates, W. (Yorkshire), age 26 —A most promising player, being a first-class bat, one of the most effective slow bowlers of the day, and a good field. Lillywhite, James (Sussex), age 40 —Is almost too well-known to require criticism. He is still a first-rate bowler (medium round left), but has fallen off considerably in batting. Lockwood, E. (Yorkshire), age 36—A splendid bat all round, having great defence and fine cut ; a very safe and reliable field. Has batted brilliant! v this season.

Midwinter, W. (Gloucestershire), age 29 — A very steady nnd improved bat and plays •with great; confidence. A fine field and very useful medium paced bowler. Peate, E. (Yorkshire), age 25 —One of the finest left-handed slow bowlers in England. Breaks both ways, and said to be quite equal to >haw. Poor bat.

Pilling, R. (Lancashire), aged 26 —A firstclass wicket keeper, taking all kinds of bowling with ease. Indifferent bat. Selby, J. (Notts), age 32—A fine bat, especially against fast bowling, and an excellent field. Has not played mucb this season. Siiaw, A. (Notts.) age 39 —Another player well known in the colonips. Has ■wonderfully improved in butting, still keeps up reputation as a cruck bowler, and is a CBritnl field nnd short slip. Hirevy»*uiry, A. (Nott"), age 25 —A free but "tciidy bat, and a very smart field. Has piavw! hut. lit!lt- this seiison. i'M/ivt, G. (Yorkshire), asp 30—Ts in brilliant butting form this season, and heads the.professional average. One of the finest fields in V'ngland, and n fast right-handed bowler, sometimes effective, especially on a bad wicket. BATTING- atbbages.

Fame. of d|,§ | J I Barlow ... 15 23 1 405 69 18'9 Barnes ... 14 24 3 431 68 20-11 Bates ... 19 32 2 662 108 22'2 Liilywhifce ... 10 20 3 163 32 9-10 Loci-wood ... 17 29 3 708 109 27*6 Midwinter... 13 24 1 582 65 25*7 Peate ... 17 24 10 89 *28 65 Tilling ... 15 20 4 103 20 67 Selby ... 7 12 — 360 80 30"0 Shaw ... 11 16 5 298 *78 27"1 Shrewsbury 3 5 — 67 27 13-2 Ulyett ... 15 24 2 871 112 39-13 ♦Signifies " Not out." BOWLING AVERAGES. No. of Wickets. Runs. Average. Barlow .,. 63 799 12-43 Barnes ... 28 545 19*13 Bates ... 83 1215 1453 Lilly white ... 45 742 16-22 Midwinter ... 35 568 16*8 Peate .„ 120 1452 12*12 Shaw 72 899 12-35 Ulyett ... 7 162 23'1