Cricket 1888

“ Together joined in cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. It^ntereoVor ™ J io n Abroad. T H U R S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 2 7 , 1 8 8 8 . P R IC E 2d M A J O R R O B E R T G A R D N E R W A R T O N . I t is nearly six months since C ric k e t was able to give the first intimation that a new field was about to be opened for cricket tourists. TJp to this year the only countries exploited by any combination of cricketers from the old country had been Aus­ tralasia, the United States and Canada. Not a few amateurs with a taste for travel had appeared on Indian grounds, but in their case cricket was only a part of the enjoy­ ment of the tour, and not the motive of the visit. Though English and Australian cricketers have, by the frequent interchange of courtesies, of late years become thoroughly used to the differences of play at the two extremes, considerations of import­ ance have hitherto prevented the same exchange of cricket civilities between England and her Eastern colonies. It was not until July last that any attempt was made to open another part of our dominions to the personal acquaintance of English players. Occasionally one heard of the doings of the cricketers of the Cape Colony, and the records of the game in those parts made mention of several players at one time or another known by repute over here as taking a prominent part in the principal local matches. Until this winter,though, South African cricket had not, it would seem, developed sufficiently to bring a visit of an English team within the range of practical politics. For some time before there had been a desire to invite a party of English players, and there had even been an idea of sending home a combination repre­ sentative of South African cricket. Iu all probability, too, the first South African tour of British cricketers would still have been a thing of the future, but for one fortunate cir­ cumstance. The hour had arrived, and, as it happened, opportunely enough, there was the man in the person of Major Warfcon. Having served 011 the Staff in South Africa, and, in addition, himself figured with 110 small success on the cricket grounds in Cape Colony, the Major had the advantage of practical knowledge of the special require­ ments needed to make such a trip successful, as well as enjoyable. The whole work of or­ counsel did very much to make the tour a cer­ tainty by removing many of the small difficul­ ties which have to be overcome in settling the preliminaries incidental to the arrangements of such an important undertaking. In mentioning these two gentlemen, though, we have no desire to detract from the credit which is due to the moving spirit. It was Major Warton’s energy and tact which has enabled the Cricketers of South Africa to shake hands with some of their fel­ lows from the old country, and we feel sure that his presentment here just at a time when his team is busy in the first engagement of the tour will be popular with C r ic k e t readers. Major Warton, though he goes out ostensibly as Secretary and Manager, has been an active cricketer from his youth upwards, and will, if required, take his place in the team. Joining the Army, he was gazetted to an ensigncy in tho First Battalion of the 10th Foot (Lincolnshire Begiment)in January, 1867. Going through the usual grades he became adjutant of the Battalion, and did good service with it in 1887 in the ferak expedition in the Malay Peninsula, receiving the medal and clasp in connection there­ with. This was, though, not his only record on foreign service, as he was present with his Bepiment in Japan, China, the Strait Settlements, and Malta. For several years he acted as captain of the Regimental cricket eleven, and in 1882 occu­ pied the same position in con­ nection with the Staff College at Sandhurst. Appointed to the General Staff in. South Africa in 1883, Major Warton served there for five years. During his stay he took an active part in cricket, and was at one time honoraiy secretary of the Western Province Club, which has taken the leading part in arranging for the visit of tho English team. On some few occasions the Major has also played for Essex, so that hia record as a cricketer is by no means an uneventful or an unimportant one. The portrait given herewith, which is from a photograph by Mayall & Co., of Old Bond Street, has been kindly lent us by the proprietors of the Empire newspaper. T h e next No., appearing Jan. 24,commences the 8th Vol. of C ric k e t. We propose to give a special full-page portrait of Dr. W. G. Grace. ganisation fell on him, and, as a natural con­ sequence, to him belongs the entire credit of bringing the negotiations necessary to make the trip a reality to a satisfactory issue. In two respects he was, though, very fortunate, it must be admitted. The assistance of such a keen cricketer as Mr. C. A. Smith, the captain of the Sussex eleven, in the formation of the team was of itself a guarantee of success in I the collection of the players. In enlisting the sympathy of Sir Donald Currie, the founder of the Castle Line of steamers, a personage of considerable influence as well as considerable interests in South Africa, Major Warton, too, was able to secure a supporter whose help and I