🧢 Captain's Log

Wed 23 Jul 1873 🧢 1st XIv SC 1st Innings Cranbrook CC · HomeformLWWLL

On Wednesday last, the 23rd of July, we welcomed Cranbrook Cricket Club to Linton Park, and I gave our bowlers first use of the leather. It proved a happy choice. Our visitors' innings closed with W Crittenden quite unplayable, the ball turning sharply enough to bring him figures of eight wickets without a run conceded, well supported by H Freed with two more. X Clanham alone stood firm for a capital knock of 27, while X Marshall and X Waterman were both sent back without troubling the scorer.

When our turn came at the wicket, W T Court led the way with a fine 22, though the innings was not without its trials. H Freed, having done such service with the ball, could find no fortune with the willow and walked back for a duck, and I confess I fared no better myself, undone by the very first delivery I faced. A captain, I am told, ought to lead by example, and on this occasion I led by rather the wrong one.

Two matters deserve particular note. J T Amies, with a useful 7, has passed A Startup to stand fifth among the club's run-scorers of all time, and W Crittenden's splendid ten wickets have carried him past X Carroll into fifth place among our bowlers. Court's 22 and Crittenden's ten wickets stand them, respectively, at the head of this season's run and wicket charts.

For all my own poor showing, our fellows acquitted themselves nobly, and we ran out winners by six wickets. Cranbrook are a side of good heart and better manners, and I trust we shall have their company at Linton Park again before the season is out.