Cricket 1890

u Together joined in cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. Registered for5TranTmission AbroaiJ. THURSDAY , OCTOBER 30,1890. P R IC E 2d. ‘ THE CRICKET ALMANAC.” B y “ T he A n n u a l .” To prevent possibility of m isconception it will, perhaps, be best for me at the' Outset to state boldly that it is not m y present purpose to undertake the role of a reviewer. The title m ight suggest such a possibility, and, indeed, to the ordinary CBiCKET(rea d er this would be the most reasonable ex­ planation. There are, however, Cricket Almanacs and Cricket A l­ manacks altogether dissimilar in form and substance* although the apparent difference is merely a litteral one—the variation of the final letter. Still, it is not*of the Almanack best known to English cricketers that’s in our m ind’s eye H ^atio* as these lines are penned. The Almanack — friend of our youth, companion of our riper years, solace of our old age —it is not of thee—the wonderful epi­ tome of the year’s cricket, bearing still, as it bore on its first appear­ ance .some, thirty years a.go, the honoured name of W isden— we sing; 'T he Almanac whose doings we recount, though a complete epitome of cricket him self, is a living personality, and one which has been of considerable influence in fashioning the cricket manners of that great section of the frater­ nity which has learned and devc- • loped the game in the Southern hemisphere. The Almanac is, in fact, an entity in Australian cricket —an enthusiast of enthusiasts such as are, happily,to be found in every part of the world where cricket has been able to take deep root. In his way, indeed, David Scott is as well- known in Australia as the “ Old Buffer ’ ’ and other doctors learned in cricket lore are to young E ng­ land of to-day. His pedigree as a player will not compare, it may be, with those of many who have failed even to reach a prom inent posi­ tion. Still, he has, in his own way, done very much to increase the popularity of cricket in the Colonies, and in his devotion to the game has undoubtedly set an example in his own person which can not fail to have a favourable influence on the rising genera­ tion. It was only in the eternal fitness of things that the “ Almanac,” as his name betokens, should have been a native of Cale­ donia stern and wild. H e was only six years of age when he came to the Colonies from Scotland, so that in all but the one point of birth, he is .an Australian thew ana sinew. Like his partner, H. F . Boyle, who has visited England six times as a member of Australian teams, his early life was spent in Bendigo. H e had, too, plenty of opportunities during his stay at the High School there, of proving his capacity as an athlete,' and indeed there were very few sports in which he did not show I himself to be proficient. In running, in par­ ticular, he gave signs of especial prom ise, and his tim e in the mile race, which he won when he was fourteen years of age, was very much above the average of school performers. Though business kept him actively employed in Bendigo for some years I after the close of his schcol career, he not I only found time to play, but also to do good work as the representative of the Bendigo United C.C. on the Council of the Victorian Cricketers Association. It is, indeed, in his administrative capacity, and more particularly in the liberal and hearty encouragement he has given to junior cricket and players, that he has earned the gratitude of all Victorian cricketers. The institution of the Cup presented for com ­ petition among the junior clubs, and bearing the name of the firm in which he is partner, was mainly his personal work, and the measure of its success can best be gathered from the popularity it has attained, as well as from the influence it has had in bringing young players more prom inently before the public. That the cup was regarded as a , creation to a great extent of Mr. Scott’s ow n brain was proved by his receipt of a handsome illum i­ nated address in 1866, the join t gift of the leading junior cncket clubs of Victoria, in appreciation of his untiring efforts in their in ­ terest. Though at one tim e an active football player, it is with the kindred sport of cricket that his name has been most actively as­ sociated. The title of the “ Cricket Almanac,” by which he is now familiarly known throughout the length and breadth of Australia, was conferred on him , it almost goes without saying, by virtue of his intimate knowledge of cricket- land and his remarkable acquaint­ ance with every kind of statistics in connection with the gafne. It w as John Conway, the manager of the First Australian Team , who dubbed him The Almanack. In “ Conway’ s Guide ” of 1876-77 Mr. Scott is described as “ a steady bat, a very slow scorer, a good field, and has got a good idea of his own bowling— a regular cricket almanac, and can give any inform ation on the gam e.” In appreciation of the soubriquet he gave the name td a club, founded and person­ ally conducted by him self, which plays in mid week, and is usually to be found fa r .away from the busy crowd of the Victorian* metropolis, disporting in rural cricket fields, and in the full enjoym ent of fresh air and genial society. Such organ­ izations as the Almanacs, though they may not play an important part in the develop­ ment of the game, still do muoh to assist the social' side ■of the cricket mission, and in