Cricket 1889

■ ----- - y ^ - v --------/»^ v«._____ 7 -----8 s----- c- j y ^jv____ :r"“ >g^ 7i<- 14Together joined in cricket’s manly toil Byron* Registeredfor Tr^smissiaQAbroad. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1889. price 2d. TH E N E X T A U S T R A L IA N TEAM . A n y expression of opinion by Lord Harris on the subject of cricket is entitled not only to great weight, but must be re­ ceived by all those interested in—more especially by those in any way concerned with—the management of the game with the highest respect. The communication he has forwarded to the papers, and appearing in someof the dailies of yester­ day, in respect of the visit of an Austra­ lian team to England next summer will, therefore, meet with the universal con­ sideration the President of the County Cricket Council is entitled to expect. No one will disagree with the contention that, even as a matter of policy alone, it is advisable for those who have the man­ agement of these Australian tours to invite the co-operation of the leading English Counties in assisting to make a representative programme. Practically, this has always been asked. In fact, the acquiescence of the chief clubs in England is essential to the arrangement of the match list, and as a natural conse­ quence to ensure the success of the trip. The success of the Australian tours in the past has been dependent on the cordial spirit always shown by the principal English cricket bodies in uniting to put the best teams into the field for the re- pressntative matches. Without such mutual agreement, and but for the har­ mony with which English cricketers have worked to welcome their brethren from over the sea, a visit of Australian players [would be, of course, practically impossible. We have no mission to act as special pleaders on behalfof Australian cricketers. It is not our intention in the short scope of this article to take up the debateable question whether it would be to the advantage or disadvantage of the game in England if these Australian tours were not quite so frequent. Many are of opinion that it would be better if a longer interval—say of four, instead of two years—was allowed to elapse, others hold that before such tours are under­ taken an invitation should be received from the country to be visited. There is agood deal to be said in favour of both arguments. In any case we feel sure that snggestions, ofwhateverkind, wouldhave due weight with the leaders of cricket in Australia. But these points should, we venture to think, form the subject matter for discussion withregard to futurevisits. We have, now, to deal with what may fairly be called facts. Mr. Boyle, who is to manage the team to come here next summer, working on the lines of previous years, has arranged to take charge of anotherpartyofAustraliancricketers,who are to play, as hitherto, a series of matches onEnglish grounds. The County Council is an institution, be it added, of recent date, and, consequently, Mr. Boyle may fairly be excused, or, at the worst, be acquitted on the ground of ignorance if he omitted to take the first opportunity of soliciting the help of the Council as a corporate body. We have, ourselves, every desire to recognise the importance of that institution, which has done good, and is capable of doing better work in the cause of cricket. At the same time it would be betterthat the pro­ cedure in the matter of these visits in the future should be thoroughly understood, so that there should be no possibility of even a technical omission. The fact re­ mains as we have already stated, that arrangements have been made foranAus­ tralianteamtovisit Englandnextsummer. Such being the case, we bespeak for them the goodwill of English cricketers of all classes. Whatever may be the public feeling in regard to the advisability of biennial tours as in the past, or of a longer interval, we have no hesitation in asking with confidence for the team of 1890 the cordial reception which has been always accorded to their prede­ cessors. Our own information justifies the belief that the coming combination will berepresentative of Colonial cricket. The secretary of the Surrey Club has already secured promises of assistance from a large majority of the leading Counties. So far, indeed, he has had no official intimation from any one of them of any disinclination to make the usual fixtures. On the other hand, the number of applications for matches is, if any­ thing, larger than on former occasions, and, if time allowed, the programme could be enlarged to a very considerable extent. In one respect alonethis seventh tour will show a new and very proper de­ parture. We have always pleaded that insomedegree,however[small Imight be, local charities should benefit by any inter­ change of cricket visits. In this, if for nothing else, the Australian cricketers who are to be with us next summer will appeal in another sense to the sympathies ofall lovers ofthe game inthe old country. The team now in course of collection for England will be bespeaking the goodwill of English players in the most practical form by their resolve to give the proceeds of one of their matches for the benefit of “ The Crioketers’ Fund.” We have authority for stating that they have empowered their representative here to make a match for this deserving object, and we feel sure that their decision will meet with universal appreciation in England as well as in Australia. T h e following is the correspondence referred to above :— Sir,—I shall be obliged if you can find room for the enclosed letter from Mr. Boyle, con­ veying that he has applied to the County Cricket Council for the consent of the Counties to the proposed visit next year of an eleven from Australia. As the success or non-success of an Australian eleven visiting this country must depend on the support accorded to it by the Counties, I am glad that Mr. Boyle has adopted my suggestion that he should secure the good-will of the Counoil. The Council will meet as usual in December, when 1 will place Mr. Boyle’s letter before it. Meanwhile I may take this opportunity of stating that, from what I have heard, I infer that the Counties are not unanimously in favour of the proposed trip.—Faithfully yours, H a r b is . 89, Sussex-Square, Brighton, Oct. 29. [ C o p y .] D e a r L o r d H a r b is , —Many thanks for your prompt reply of August 5. I oan assure you it was quite an oversight on my part in not consulting the Council, but the proposal leaked out sooner than was intended, and I simply wrote to Mr. Aloock at once, asking him if he would undertake the arrangements. I have now got his oonsent to do so, and have also adopted your suggestion and written to the Counoil. I very much regret that you were mis-reported both in England and here, so on receipt of your letter I had the matter set right in the whole of the Colonial press, as ou will see from enclosed paragraphs. I aye Bent a copy of the list of matohes we propose playing to the Council, so that that body will have ample time to consider it before the annual meeting of secretaries. Trusting that the coming will be a good season, and to meet you again in the field, X am, yours very truly, (Signed) H. V. B o y i . e . Melbourne, Sept. 20,1889.