ARTHUR SHREWSBURY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 916, 15 June 1903, Page 1

ARTHUR SHREWSBURY.

A GREAT BATSMAN

(From the Weekly Press.)

The cable news received last week anj trouncing the sad death of Arthur Shrewsbury out of the most famous of the many famous Nottinghamshire professional cricketers, will have been read with profound regret by all lovers of the game throughout the world. Early this month an extract was published from an English paper announcing the ill-health of Shrewsbury. Since then he grew so much worse that an operation had to be performed. Shrewsbury never had a particularly robust constitution, and quite early in his career he was a martyr to rheumatism, and from time to time, owing to ill-health, he had to stand out of important matches. It may interest New Zealanders to know that Shrewsbury first appeared at Lord’s in May, 1873, when he played for the Colts of England against Marylebone Club. D. Ashby, who subsequently played for Surrey, and ha“ represented Canterbury so many times, was playing on the same side. Shrewsbury, who was bom on April lltli, 1806, first played for Nottinghamshire in 1870, whon only nineteen years old. His county was meeting Derbyshire in the opening match of the year, and he performed eo promisingly with the bat that ho was kept in the team all the season. In 1876 he notched his first century, making 118 against Yorkshore. During the succeeding five years he met with a fair amount of succoss, but it was not until 1882 that he gave evidence of what a great batsman he undoubtedly was. In 1881 Shaw and Shrewsbury influenced several other Nottingham professionals to attempt to get the County Committee to make certain conditions, and those being refused, seven of the team were not chosen to play after the opening match until late in the season. Shaw anc Shrewsbury, as ringleaders, were left oul for the season, at the close of whict Shrewsbury paid his first visit to Australia On returning, the breach with the count} authorities was healed, and Shrewsbury showed improved form, his best essay being a fine innings of 207 against Surrey, In 1883 he scored over a thousand runs for tho first time in a season, his aggregate being 1117 runs, and his averuge 29.15 pet innings. Next season he played in all three test matches, while in 1885 he was at the top of tho batting averages, having an aggregate of 1130 runs, and an average of 56.10 per innings. Ho was again in fine form in 1886, when he scored 164 for England against Australia at Lord’s besides 127 for the Players against the Gentlemen, and 227 not out for Notts v Gloucestershire. On his return from Australia in 1887 ho exhibited marvellous form, and in 21 completed innings scored 1653 runs (average 78.15), and he passed the century on eight occasions, his highest scoro beiug 267 against Middlesex. Next season he was absent in New Zealand and Australia with tho English football team, which he, Shaw, and Lillywhite brought out. On returning to England he hardly did himself justice in 1889, but in the following year he was again top of tho tree with 1568 runs, and an average of 41.26 per innings, his best score being 367 for Notts against Sussex. The next two years he was also at the head of the list of English fiatsmen, while in 1893 he was fourth. In the latter season he played two great innings of 106 and 81 for England against Australia at Lord's. He was ! prevented from playing at all in 1894 owing to illness, but since then he has followed the garno regularly, ond has generally been well to the fore. Last season he was again the leading batsman, with an average of 50 runs per innings—a wonderful performance considering the wet soason. Last year was tho only occasion he scored two separate centuries in one match, scoring 101 and 127 not out for Notts against Gloucestershire. No notice of the deceased batsman would be complete without reference to the many lengthy stands he has made when associated with W. Gunn, the pair having added 200 and upwards while together on fivo occasions, while their three figured partnerships aro too numerous to mention. In 1890 tho two scored 398 for the second wicket against Susbbx, which was the record up to then. Shrewsbury visited Australia four times in all, and his 232 against Victoria in 1887 is tho best on record by an English batsman against any State. He also made 236 in the record match between Non-Smokers and Smokers the same season. In the following year he made 296 against the Sixth Australian team at Sydney, and he also made 105 not out in the Test Match at Melbourne in 18S5. As a batsman he had great patience, and could adapt himself to any class of wicket. His scores go to show what a great player ho really was, and he was the idol of the ring at Trent Bridge. He was given a benefit in 1893, when his eleven, representing almost the full strength of England, beat the Australians by an innings and 156 runs. Shrewsbury was a very popular cricketer, and his untimely death will cause a shock to his many friends and admirers.