Cricket.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 18, 29 July 1893, Page 6

Cricket.

A. C. BAHHBRMAH. [By Norwood.] Alexander Bannerman was born at Sydney on the .21st of March 1859, and-.visited England as a member of the first team that’ ever left Australia. Subsequent to this he had never played in intercolonial contests in Australia, but was picked on his brother’s recommendation and at the end of the tour he shewed an average of 11.3 in first-class matches, his highest score being 71, not out. In 1880 his average improved to 17.9 forallfirst«lass matches, but the team also played 26 matches against odds of which unfortunately I am unable to give his average. In 1882 he was at his best with the bat, for. his average improved to 22.13 for 54 complete innings. His highest score was 120 not out, and was made against the I.Zingari Club being his first century scored in England. He went in first and at the close of the match as a draw was still in, his runs being made without a chance, and with hardly a false hit. He again visited England in 1884, but his average dropped to 19 11 for fifty completed innings ; his highest score being 94, made in the first match against Lord- Sheffield’s Eleven. He did not .appear on English grounds in 1886, but in 1888 he was again a member, . of the Australian team, his average again dropping, this time to 16'47 for 56 complete innings. His highest score was 93, made against the Past and Present of Cambridge University, and going in first he carried his bat out after about six hours patient batting. In this tour it might be mentioned that he and Bonnor going in first against the Gentlemen of England on May 28th, put on 151 runs before the first wicket -fell. He is the greatest s ton ©waller the world has ever produced, and is the most patient of batsmen, although when he likes he can score very freely. His defence is perfect, and all bowlers are glad: to get rid of him, as when set nothing can move him. I have heard it said, although I cannot vouch for the truth of it, that W. G. Grace on his last tour ; to Australia said that if he were to choose an eleven of the world Bannerman would be one of the first men he would place in it. In January, 1883, for Mr Murdoch’s Eleven against the Hon. Ivo. Bligh’s team he made 94, his ■ oil-driving and cutting at times being brilliant. In December, 1889, he •■ made 117 runs, out of 261 for Hew South Wales against Victoria, and was then run out, after giving orily hne chance, being at the wickets altogether for about six hours. - HU 1890 for Hew South South Wales against Victoria he went in first and carried his bat for 45 runs, after being at the wickets for five and a-half hours; and 70 minutes; elapsing between his first and second run. It is suggested that he was jealous of : Barret’s fame as a- stone waller, and ■ determined to prove once, for,all that • he; und he alone; had the right to be considered the ©tone-waller of Australia.- After being hooted by some of the spectators, he is said to have said at the luncheon adjournment, “‘ We’ll see who will last longest,” and long after ! the people had got tired of hooting he was still batting on. He represented Australia in the' three test matches against-Lord Sheffield’s team last year, scoring in the first 45 and 41, while in the second he scored., 12 and '9i,..„being -at • the wickets for nearly : eight hours, - and giving only one. chance just before i. .making 90 to Lblpnann in the - slips.- . .The Referee in speaking.'of his batt- •; ing, says crrrr-I t was ;a most marvellous piece of bitting, unexampled for com- ' bined jjatience and pluck in the annals of the game, 5 - and had the . pitch , remained perfect, it is not too-much -to say that he would have gone right through the innings. His average in first-class .matches ;ior ; 1892 was 25 56 for 16 innings, and for his club, the Carlton, for whom he acts as captain, his average was 29 76 for 8 completed

innings. His average for: 1893; in first-class matches is 26;42 for 7. innings- He is a fair change bowler, medium pace with a rather low delivery, and as a fieldsman at mid-off and cover-point, is one of the most brilliant in the world. I give a list of his principal scores as far as I am able. !

For Against Month Year Score Australian 11 Harris’ 11 Jan. 1879 73 Kapunda . 1881 103 Australians United 11 June 1882 88 ! JJ I. Zingari Sep. 1882 120* Carlton Warwick -— 1882 111 Carlton Albert — 1882 111 Carlton University — 1882 110 Carlton Alberts — 1882 104* Australians Bligh’s 11 Jan, 1883 94 Australians Sheffield’s 11 My. 1884 94 Carlton Carlingford Mch. 1886 113 Australians P. & P.Cam. Univ. Jly 1888 93* N.S.W. Wales’ Victoria Dec . 1889 117 Carlton Warwick Oct. . 1891 143 Australians Sheffield’s 11 Feb. 1892 81 * Signifies not out.