The earlier advices indicated that neither the champion (Inman) nor the ex-champion (Stevenson) had been at the top of their form in Australia and South Africa respectively, Inman having failed to hold Williams in their first encounter and Stevenson having been heavily back-marked by Gray. Williams (receiving 1,500) beat Inman by 2,352 in 9,000 up. Reece has been playing well, although defeated by Lindrum, but perhaps the most notable success has been achieved by Harverson, who in his matches with Diggle, whose play has been unsatisfactory, has shone conspicuously.
On July 22 Inman and Reece commenced a match which was witnessed by the Governor-General, Lord Denman.
At the half-way Inman was 839 behind, but both had been playing well, with such breaks as Inman 584 and Reece 513.
Williams has challenged Reece, but Reece said that, owing to his engagements, it would be impossible for him to meet Williams in Australia. He would be willing, however, to play a match in England next season for £100 or £200 a-side, and he would concede Williams a start of 3,000 in 18,000 up.
The international tournament arranged between the visiting English professionals and Australian professionals commenced with a match between Harverson and Williams (subsequently replaced—owing to a conflicting agreement— by F. Smith, Jun.), on July 22, Harverson winning easily.
Gray, although beaten by Stevenson at Durban by 9,000 to 7,112, seems to have risen in South Africa with bonzoline balls to something like his old form with crystalates. From Johannesburg Stevenson and Gray were to move up to Pretoria, and then to Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town, in order named.