Page:Jubilee Book of Cricket (Second edition, 1897).djvu/455

Rh Since 1860 benefit matches have been played as follows: —

Of the descriptive writers on the game who have made their names famous in connection with Sussex cricket, I would mention Mr Arthur Haygarth, the indefatigable compiler of the fourteen volumes of 'M.C.C. Scores and Biographies'; Mr G. W. King; the Rev. C. F. Trower; Major Ewbank; the Rev. James Pycroft, author of the 'Cricket-field'; Mr John George Bishop, author of 'A Peep into the Past, Brighton in the Olden Time'; Mr G. F. Salter; Mr George Cole; Mr W. A. Bettesworth; and Mr Alfred J. Gaston.

The Warwickshire County Club at the present time owes much to the energies and influence of Mr William Ansell, and it is almost safe to assume that if there had been no Mr Ansell in Birmingham, Warwickshire would certainly not have been included amongst the first-class cricket counties. Cricket was, however, played a long time back in the Birmingham district, on the pleasant fields now covered with vast manufactories. The meetings were held in a field opposite the Monument House, Edgbaston, every Tuesday. In 1819, it is stated, there were but three houses on that side of the road between the Ivy Bush, Hagley Road, and the Dudley turnpike sandpits. The meetings were well attended, and the game was kept up with spirit for several years. The best player was David Hanbury, a fine powerful man, excellent at all points of the game. In connection with Warwickshire cricket an extraordinary incident occurred during Trinity term in 1833. A case was tried at the Warwickshire Assizes before Lord Denman to recover £20 on the following account:—

The Birmingham Union Cricket Club agree to play at Warwick on the 8th of October a match of cricket for £20 a-side with the Warwick Club; a deposit of £5 a-side is placed in the hands of Mr Terril on behalf of the Warwick club, the same for the Birmingham Club. Wickets to be pitched at ten; to begin at half-past ten, or forfeit the deposit; wickets to be struck at half-past five, unless the game is