To mention the legion who have passed from their University eleven into that of the Gentlemen would take up too much space, but it may be of interest to give a list of those who have represented England in the test matches at home:—
| Oxford | Cambridge |
| Sir T. C. O’Brien. | A. P. Lucas (Uppingham). |
| Lord Harris (Eton). | A. G. Steel (Marlborough). |
| E. F. S. Tylecote (Clifton). | A. Lyttelton (Eton). |
| C. B. Fry (Repton). | C. T. Studd (Eton). |
| L. C. H. Palairet (Repton). | G. E. MacGregor (Uppingham). |
| GF. S. Jackson (Harrow). | |
| K. S. Ranjitsinhji. | |
| G. L. Jessop. | |
| A. O. Jones (Bedford). | |
| Batting—25 inn., 404 runs, 16.4 average. | 69 inn., 2316 runs, 33.39 average. |
| Bowling—18 runs, 0 wicket. | 1265 runs, 36 wickets, 35.5 average. |
And further, one of the writers, who is in the habit of perpetrating statistics, has made out that against Australians in this country, in eleven-a-side matches, Oxonians (past and present) have scored 10,439 runs in 527 completed innings, averaging 19.426 per innings; and Cantabs (past and present) have scored 17,834 runs in 924 completed innings, averaging 19.276 per innings. The Oxford bowlers have claimed 270 Colonial wickets at a cost of 6202 runs, thus costing 22.282 runs apiece; but the Cambridge bowlers, though they captured 392 wickets, did so at an expense of 43.36 runs apiece, the aggregate being 16,892.
Passing from figures to matches, it may be as well to sketch the programme of each University season. Directly term commences, usually in April, when the weather is miserably cold and wet, and no one has had any practice, comes the Seniors’ match. As the object of the executive is to find new bowlers, it is obvious that the bowlers in this game are none of the best, even judged by the low standard of amateur attack. There is, as a rule, a large amount of heavy scoring, but the fielding is slack, and the fixture is invested with little real keenness. Far more enthusiasm is aroused by the Freshmen’s match. Here is the pick of the public schools of the year before, with a stray candidate from a colony or a private tutor’s. The cricket is not co-operative, for each is trying to make a good impression “on his own.” In the heat of modern competition, it is particularly difficult for a batsman to obtain his blue as a freshman. With bowling it is different, but the captain is prone to wait till the promising undergraduate has acquired some experience in county cricket. Other trial games are XII. v. Next XVI., the XI. v. XVI. Freshmen, “Perambulators” v. “Etceteras.” The “Perambulators” are composed of those who come from Eton, Winchester, Harrow, and Rugby, whilst “Etceteras” are selected from those from other schools. Then come the University fixtures. The opening is against a Gentlemen of England team, of which one of the present writers has latterly had charge—a very pleasant game for all concerned, and one provocative of no little curiosity to see how the new men shape. As a rule a couple of counties, M.C.C., and latterly Dr. Grace’s club, with the Australians, if on tour, form the rest of the home fixtures. Thus far the University captain has probably been varying his side a good deal, and has had one or two extra places available for trials, because blues may be in the schools. But by the time the out matches begin, if the eleven be not pretty well together, matters cannot be altogether favourable. Good cricket at the Oval and heavy scoring at Brighton are the preludes to the final trial v. M.C.C. at Lord’s. Half the Oxford eleven now never play in this latter engagement, and it must be said that there is some reason for this, for whereas Cambridge get a clear three days’ rest before the ‘Varsity match at the Oval, Oxford sometimes only get one day. The final place is often a matter of the most dubious difficulty. There are often two men whose merits are almost equal, and the decision, if wrong, may ultimately ruin the big match.
What a game it is, Oxford v. Cambridge, unrivalled for its sporting keenness, and if it has proved a triumph to many, it has also been a game of cruel disappointment in those who have been expected to do best. The importance of the match to the funds of M.C.C. can be gathered from the annual balance-sheet of the club, and considering the difficulty of affording sufficient money for professionals and other expenses at the Universities, it may be open to the consideration of the committee if it would not be judicious were the premier club to increase the amount of the annual donation to the rival centres of education, whose delegates provide such an immense share of the club revenue. If the University match were to be removed from Lord’s—absit omen—it is obvious that the club in St. John’s Wood would suffer far more than either Oxford or Cambridge. Such an exodus is not probable, but the old order changes, and it would be wise as well as generous if the committee could give more lavishly where it receives so bountifully.
A survey of all the University matches seems to authorise two deductions: Firstly, that, all else being equal, it is better to choose for places in University teams men who have already played before a crowd, because nervousness is so apt to overtake the novice when participating in this fixture. Secondly, that the presence of a formidable fast bowler is the best agency for victory. Matches, as a rule, have gone to the team which backed up a destructive attack with competent fielding, and there seems no reason why in this respect history should not repeat itself. We may be permitted to conclude with an expression of the sincere hope that University cricket may maintain its high position, and that the big match will remain something in which all the Empire shall continue to take legitimate pride and interest, because it is the contest between the best of England’s youth fought in true sporting fashion.
