in 1854 in one innings and 8 runs. In 1855 Oxford again won by 3 wickets. In 1856 Cambridge won by 3 wickets; but in 1857 Oxford returned to the charge, winning by 81 runs; and in 1858 overwhelmed her opponent by once more winning" in one innings and 38 runs. That must have been an exciting era: for at its beginning Oxford started three behind; the three Oxford victories from 1852 to 1854 made the two universities equal; in 1855 Oxford was one ahead of Cambridge; in 1856 they were again equal; and at last, by winning in 1857 and 1858, Oxford had scored two victories more than Cambridge. Oxford had at that time a fine generation of batsmen on the Magdalen ground, which, it must be remembered, was since 1851 enclosed, regularly leased from the university, and no doubt improved by the lessees, who, for example, built themselves a pavilion. In the match of 1852 they made an innings of 273, and in that of 1853 an innings of 297,—high scores in a single innings on Lord's as it was in the middle of the century, and, in fact, 297 was the largest innings in university matches down to 1872. In 1853 Mr Reginald Hankey appeared for Oxford, as well as in Gentlemen against Players, destined to be celebrated among the exponents of the free style of batting. Later on, in 1856, came Mr C. G. Lane, equally renowned in the correct style, and for his services to Surrey cricket as captain in the palmy days of the old Surrey Eleven: —
"You may join with me in wishing that the Oval once again
May resound with hearty plaudits to the praise of Mr Lane."
In 1857 came Mr A. P. Law (Infelix) and Mr W. PL Bullock, and in 1858 Mr K. E. Digby. In the latter year Mr Digby's innings of 57 was remembered for its leg-hitting; while Mr Bullock's 78 was the largest innings in university matches down to 1870.
If Oxford at that time produced great batsmen, what shall we say of her cricketers who excelled both with bat and ball? In 1852 Mr A. Payne, a very fast left-hand bowler and successful bat, appeared. In 1854 followed Mr Walter Fellows, terrific both for fast bowling and for far hitting. In the very same year came Mr C. D. Marsham, who stands out as one of the very best Oxford cricketers. He was one of three Marshams, worthy successors of the three Riddings. Mr Charles Marsham, the eldest, and now the president of the Harlequins, batted and bowled in 1851, and Mr Robert Marsham played in 1856. Mr C. D.
