Scotland v Nottinghamshire 20, 21, & 22 June 1889
by Cricket Scotland


Ground:Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow
Scorecard:Scotland v Nottinghamshire
Event:Nottinghamshire in Scotland 1889

DateLine: 4th February 2013

Scotsman

Day 1:
This, the most important cricket fixture which has taken place in Scotland for years, was commenced on the beautiful ground of the West of Scotland C.C. at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, yesterday.

The match, which will extend over today and tomorrow , was arranged through the instrumentality of Mr A.P. Pearson, the enterprising Secretary of Glasgow's premier club, and is exciting the liveliest interest in cricketing circles.

Recognising the importance of the event, those entrusted with the selection of the Scottish team sought to make it as representative as possible; but, unfortunately, many of Scotland's leading players were unable to accept a place in the eleven: and the same names, particularly Mr L.M. Balfour will be looked for in vain. However, the eleven pitted against the crack English County combination is by no means an indifferent one, and should it succeed in making a good appearance against their powerful opponents a much needed impetus will be given to the grand old game on this side of the Border.

With the exception of Barnes, the County have brought their full team, which of course, includes young Shacklock, who was at one time professional at Lasswade, and whose fine bowling so materially helped Notts to defeat Surrey.

The weather yesterday was all that could have been desired, the bright sun that blazed from an unclouded sky being agreeably tempered by a nice breeze. There was a fair attendance of spectators at the start, and by the afternoon a considerable crowd had gathered round the enclosure. The drawings at the gate amounted to £51.

The groundsman (Pearce) had a splendid wicket prepared. Winning the toss, the Notts captain elected to bat, and at 12.20 Mr J.A. Dixon (captain) and Shrewsbury appeared at the wickets to face the bowling of Scott and Butler, the Drumpellier and West of Scotland professionals respectively.

Scott opened to Shrewsbury, who began his account with a hit for 2, which he afterwards followed up with a single and a drive for 4. The Notts captain also drove Scott for 4, which brought out 10 on the board. The batsmen played freely, and the score rose rapidly, until Scott, who had puzzled Mr Dixon once or twice at last beat the Notts captain with a capital ball,. (one for 31.)

Gunn was now associated with Shrewsbury, and between them they provided a rare exhibition of cricket. Gunn began with a single off Scott, and then hit the other bowler twice to square leg for 4 each. Despite changes in bowling the score continued to increase, and at half past one, after seventy minutes play the century was telegraphed amidst cheers.

A little later, Stevenson was put on at the pavilion end. At first the new bowler's "lobs" were somewhat contemptuously treated, and the batsmen scored heavily. Shrewsbury, however, was caught with a tempting ball from Stevenson, and in going out to it he was smartly stumped by Johnston (two for 125.) The retiring batsman's 37 included four 4 hits and five 3's.

Mr H.R. Daft was Gunn's next partner, and when the bell rang for luncheon the total had been raised to 145.

On resuming, the bowling was again entrusted to Scott and Butler, but it being very true, runs were obtained with difficulty. At 157 "Robertson" relieved Butler, Scott continuing to work hard at the other end. Gunn then managed to get Scott away for 4, but runs still came slowly, and at half past three o'clock only 180 was indicated, with Gunn rapidly approaching his century.

Two runs later Weir, relieved "Robertson" at the pavilion end, and it was from this side that a separation was eventually effected. Daft, after a fairly good innings of 35, went out to a short-pitched ball from Weir, and was cleverly held behind the wickets by Johnston. (Three for 191.)

Mr C.W. Wright followed, and during his brief stay the double century was reached, and immediately afterwards a general cheer indicated that Gunn had made his 100. Mr Wright's wicket fell in exactly the same way as Mr Daft's (four for 203.)

Scotton was Gunn's new partner, and runs coming as freely as ever, Mannes, with the score at 214, relieved Scott but the change was effected from the other end, where Stevenson's "lobs" were again tried, with the result that the first ball took Scotton's wicket amidst great laughter (five for 236.)

Flowers went out, but he only made a single when he put one from Mannes into "Robertson's" hands (six for 237.) Attewell now joined Gunn, and at 269 Butler replaced Stevenson. This brought about the dismissal of Gunn, who gave Walker a chance at cover-point, which was at once taken (seven for 270.)

The retiring batsman had at his credit a score of 139, including sixteen 4's, three 3's, and fourteen 2's. Gunn's innings extended to about three hours, and on returning to the pavilion he was received with prolonged cheering. His batting display was certainly the best that has been seen in Glasgow for some years, his forward cutting being exceptionally brilliant and clean, and his leg-cutting all that could be desired. He, however, gave several chances, one in particular early in his innings.

Shacklock and Attewell were now together, but the latter did not remain long enough to cement the new partnership. Johnston being too smart for him(eight for 279.) Mee was the next batsman, but before he managed to score, Butler had secured his wicket with a "yorker" (nine for 279.)

Sherwin was the last man, and he and Shacklock put on 23 runs before the latter was held by Walker in the long field (ten for 302.) It now being six o'clock the wickets were drawn for the day. Play will be resumed today at noon. On the whole, the fielding of the Scottish eleven was exceedingly close, Stevenson and Walker being conspicuous.

Day 2:
Charming weather was associated with the second day's play in the great match at Hamilton Crescent, Partick, and there was again a large attendance of spectators. The formidable English combination having been disposed of on the previous day for 302 runs, the Scotsmen began their first innings yesterday.

The first two representatives made a remarkably long stand , and tested all the county bowling before a separation was effected. The Scotsmen, however, were unable to avert a "follow on."

At ten minutes part twelve. J. "Robertson" and T.R. Marshall took their places at the wickets. Attewell and Shacklock were entrusted with the bowling. Vigorous batting was the order of the day for a time "Robertson" having twelve runs off one over from Attewell whom he put to leg, long-on, and square leg for 4 each.

This brought on Flowers at 39 in place of Shacklock who crossed over to the other wicket. Mee, the fast bowler, was put on at 48, but he was badly punished, and was removed to the other end, where he relieved Flowers. Attewell resuming at the bottom end.

Shortly afterwards, "Robertson" made his half-century. A brilliant piece of fielding was shown by Daft, who was loudly applauded for the way in which he stopped one of Marshall's deep cuts. At ten minutes to two the century was hoisted amidst enthusiasm; and four runs later Mee handed the ball to Shacklock, but no change was effected, and when the bell rang for luncheon the score stood at 109.

On resuming, "Robertson" and Marshall had to face the attack of Attewell and Shacklock. Both batsmen played the bowling freely , and at 150 Dixon took the ball from Shacklock. Marshall now reached his fifty, when another change was made in the bowling department, Scotton (left hand) relieving the Notts captain.

The veteran Grange player had added a single to his score when he was held by Wright (one for 148.) During this partnership the cricket was really first rate, the careful and patient play of the one batsman forming a good contrast to the brilliancy of the other. Marshall was nearly three hours in getting his 51.

H.S. Walker filled the vacancy. "Robertson" had made 93 when he gave Wright a chance at short-slip, but the ball was dropped. His companion had just got into double figures, when he was clean bowled by Attewell, who also dismissed T. Anderson with his next ball (three for 176.)

H.J. Stevenson filled this unexpected vacancy, but Attewell beat him before he had effected much improvement in the score (four for 184.) R.H. Johnston was "Robertson's" next companion, but he was unfortunate in getting thrown out by a smart piece of fielding by Dixon.

C.T. Mannes went in next, and then "Robertson" after a splendid innings of nearly four hours, gave Dixon a chance, which was taken (six for 187.) The retiring batsman had 112 at his credit, including fifteen 4's, and twelve 2's.

With the score unaltered C.W. Dunlop, the newcomer, put one into Shrewsbury's hands, and Butler who followed was caught by Wright (eight for 200.) R. Scott now joined Mannes, and the two Drumpellier men improved the score 10, when the former was held by Sherwin off the bowling of Flowers, who had taken the ball from Scotton.

F.K. Weir was the last man, and the innings closed on 217. Being thus 85 runs behind, the Scotsmen had to "follow on," and when the wickets were drawn for the day the total with one wicket down was 11. The drawings at the gate for the day amounted to £55, making a total of £106 for the two days.

Day 3:
Splendid weather favoured the third and concluding day's play in this match at Hamilton Crescent, Partick. When the game was stopped on Friday evening the Scotsmen had completed their first innings, scoring 217 against the Englishmen's 302; and they had thus to follow on, a wicket being lost for 11 runs.

On Saturday the Scottish eleven made a miserable display, being able to compile only 50 against the bowling of Mee and Flowers, who managed to get the batsmen out in an hour and a half. The not outs-Mannes 4 and Stevenson 0-resumed their innings, and in Mee's first delivery sent back Stevenson (two for 11.)

Marshall filled this early vacancy. Mannes got the third ball of Flower's first over to leg for 3, and Marshall reopened his account by hitting the fast bowler in the same direction for 2, following this up with a similar hit in the next over. The Drumpellier man then cut Flowers prettily to the boundary for 4, bringing out 20 on the board.

Mannes left at 24, and "Robertson" who came next was dismissed without any addition having been made to the score. Anderson was again unfortunate and Stevenson partnered Marshall, who was then held behind the wickets by Sherwin (six for 31.)

Dunlop came in next, but Mee's first ball was too much for him. Butler and Johnston were now associated, and the "rot" was stopped for a time. Both batted well, Johnston hitting Mee to the on boundary for 4, and the professional "snicking" Flowers for 2, and driving him for like figure, which brought out 40.

The score had been improved by 6 when Johnston was smartly held by Sherwin. Scott, the newcomer, sharing a like fate (nine for 49.) Weir was the last man, but Mee at once bowled him (ten for 50.) The visitors thus won by an innings and 35 runs. Mee had eight wickets for 18 runs, and Flowers two for 27. The drawings at the gates for the three days amounted to £174.

(Article: Copyright © 2013 Cricket Scotland http://cricketscotland.com)