Oxford now demands some attention, for Cambridge has latterly held
the chief place in these pages. Mr. M. R. Jardine was not successful
until his fourth season, when he amassed a valuable 140, thus redeeming
long-deferred expectations. Yet at all times it was felt that the
runs he saved by his wonderful fielding were of more value than those
he made from the bat. Two cricketers who have been before the public
ever since, and who in different ways have proved notable exponents of
batting, are Messrs. E. Smith and L. C. H. Palairet. The latter must to
the present generation be the pre-eminent example of distinction and
graceful perfection. Mr. Ernest Smith has always been a redoubtable
and rapid run-getter, making his scores without apparent exertion, yet
contriving to entirely baffle the opposing captain by the pertinacious
skill with which he places his rapid hits. As a fast bowler he enjoyed
days of great success, and was always efficient in the field. A senior
from Winchester, only participating in one University match, was Mr.
V. T. Hill. Left-handed, and possessing much of the dash and vigour of
Mr. H. T. Hewett, he hit 114 in 1892 in a fashion which frankly earned
the epithet sensational. Possibly owing to the exceptional interest it
always arouses, the encounters of the Blues have produced a remarkable
number of notable innings, but none surpasses that of Mr. Hill in
vigour and “fireworks.” It was altogether a great game, that of 1892.
Oxford, having lost Mr. Palairet and Mr. R. T. Jones without a run on
the board, amassed 365. Cambridge, in a minority of 205, followed on,
and put their opponents in for 186, which were knocked off with five
wickets to spare.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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