Dimming of the Day

August 1914 94 The only cricket had been the last day of Hampshire v Lancashire and that was spoiled by rain so the game was left drawn. WG’s famous letter had been published in The Sportsman on this day. Why did he write to The Sportsman ? At least a probable answer is that WG may have read The Sportsman but not The Times : another possibility that the letter was intended for the professionals as the amateurs (who might have been Times readers) were already doing their bit. He wrote, There are many cricketers who are already doing their duty, but there are many more who do not seem to realise that in all probability they will have to serve either at home or abroad before the war is brought to a conclusion. The fighting on the Continent is very severe and will probably be prolonged. I think the time has arrived when the county cricket season should be closed, for it is not fitting at a time like the present that able-bodied men should play day after day and pleasure- seekers look on. There are many who are young and able and yet are hanging back. I should like to see all first-class cricketers of a suitable age etc. set a good example and come to the help of their country without delay in its hour of need. There is a kind of popular belief that this letter was crucial, but there seems to be no such contemporary judgement. It is not mentioned in the newspapers and, of course, the next round of matches in the Championship went ahead. The Surrey committee met at this point and decided to abandon their two remaining matches against Sussex and Leicestershire. But they were the only county games scheduled anywhere for September and that was the only change in the championship fixture list. The allies had ‘retired’ to a line between Le Cateau and Cambrai. As to how this had happened the authorities were silent. The first wounded had arrived at Folkestone but there was very little about what they said. The Russians were ‘sweeping on’ though in fact they were locked with the Germans at the battle of Tannenberg which would change the direction of the war in the east. Middlesex were playing Kent at Lord’s: it was the last match scheduled there for the season and also Middlesex’s last fixture. Middlesex made 205 of which J.W.Hearne scored 110 not out. Kent were 96-7 at the close. Warwickshire made 177 against Surrey (F.R.Foster 81, W.G.Quaife 60, Rushby six for 65) and Surrey were 70-4. Somerset bowled Yorkshire out for 162 at Weston-super-Mare J.J.Bridges five for 59 : Bridges had been a Somerset professional since 1911, but was to play on after the war as an amateur. Somerset then collapsed for 44, Booth (five for 27) and Drake (five for 16) bowling unchanged, though this was not unduly onerous as the innings only lasted 15 overs. Essex made 162 against Hampshire at Bournemouth; the home side were 137-2 at the close.