Cricket 1890

APRIL 24 1890. CRICKET: A WEEKLY EECORD OF THE GAME; 75 Mr. C. D. B u x t o n , whose intention to pay a short visit to South Africa I an­ nounced some time since, arrived at Cape Town, I learn, in the mail steamer “ Athenian ” on the 20th of last month. The Cape Argus , in its announcement of his arrival, stated that he would play in a match on the following Saturday on the ground of the Western Province Club at Newlands. The wish, though, appears to have been father to the thought in this case, as Mr. Buxton was not. able to play on that day. He is too keen a cricketer, though, to lose any fair opportunity for a game, and his presence should have a good effect in forming the style of some of the young batsmen of the Cape. T h e wedding of the Hon. Charles Hardinge, second son of Viscount Hardinge, second Secretary to the Em­ bassy at Constantinople, to the Hon. Winifred Sturt, second daughter of Lord Alington, attracted a large and fashion­ able assemblage, including the Princess of Wales and her two daughters, the Princesses Victoria and Maud, to St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, on Friday last. The bridegroom will be remembered as a useful all-round player during his acade­ mical career at Cambridge. Another and better known cricketer, a contemporary of his at the University, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Lyttelton, was one of the officiating clergymen at the wedding ceremony. ‘ THE AMERICAN PLAN.” In the last number of C r ic k e t we gave full particulars of the wholesale alterations in the game emanating from Mr J. B. Thayer, of Philadelphia, and now known as “ The American Plan.” It is with great pleasure that we are able to repro­ duce an eloquent protest against this emasculation of the grand old game, and from one who has done more than any­ one by precept and example to popularise real cricket in America. We refer to Mr. D. S. Newhall, the Captain of the last Philadelphian team, whose letter to the Philadelphian Times follows. I am opposed to the American plan : First, because, while I believe it would tend to equalise the advantages or disadvantages to the side batting first, arising from certain conditions of weather or ground, it would by no means insure such a result, and a long stand by the first four men of the side batting first would generally mean an inferior, and therefore unfair, state of the ground for the leading batsmen of the side batting second, and any plan providing for proper preparation of the ground between innings of three wickets each would result in such waste of time. Second, because I believe that whatever ad­ vantages it might have would be gained at the expense of the excellence of the play. When a batsman has his “ eye on the ball,” he don’t want to cool off, especially if on going to the field he must at once bowl for his side or see it at a disadvantage for want of his skill, and when a bowler has “ found his spot” he doesn’t want a “ rest,” especially if he be a good batsman and must at once take his turn or go in later to his own and his side’s dis­ advantage. _Individual achievement is the incentive with cricketers as with other sports­ men, and whatever tends to lessen it will tend to decrease the number of cricket’s votaries. Third, because I believe the proposed changes are too radical, and, while tending fto alienate the old friends and supporters of the game, will not be welcomed by the boys who are now learning it and who have been attracted by the traditions and charms of cricket as played by their predecessors. As long as the highest cricket anthority is in England and the highest ambition of our cricketers is to play against English Elevens here and abroad, the game should be played as much like English cricket as the prevailing conditions will allow. Fourth, because I believe that the American plan does not adequately provide for the desired end—that is, the saving of time and the maintaining of the interest in the match to the end of the day’ s play. As long as it is possible for four men to make a long stand it will be well nigh impossible to keep the balance of their side ready to take the field on four minutes’ notice and to have the incoming batsmen hasten from the field— where they may have been for a couple of hours—and return to bat in such a short time. The new plan proposes to decide the game on the result of the last even “ turn” after the third. It might then often happen, in the fourth turn, with three wickets down on A’s side and two down on B’s with the third and fourth men not out, that the runs made by the best eightmen in the game would not count in the game at all, regardless of the number or its percentage of the total score. The possibilities of playing for “ time ” or rain are not removed by the American plan, but, in my opinion, are rather increased. Fifth, oecause, however good a game it might make, it would not be the cricket I have loved so well, and which has found for me so many good and valued friends, and I feel under obligations to that game and to those friends to endeavour, by opposing too hasty and radical legislation, to preserve the features of the old game for the benefit of those who are now in the junior ranks, that they might not run too much risk of losing the advantages of the good and well equipped grounds and the capable teachers which are provided as the result of the efforts of the lovers of cricket as played in Philadelphia for the last forty years. Sixth, because it is called the “ American plan,” while it is not known to have a friend outside Philadelphia. While deeply impressed with the import­ ance of making our matches more interesting to the spectators, I am satisfied that the fault in this respect lies more in the players than in the game or its rules. Lateness in beginning, time wasted during matches, careless and slovenly play after the first innings, evident unwillingness to agree on a day to finish an uncompleted match and other everyday occurrences have done much to injure the game. Let us be progressive to the extent of removing existing evils. Let us be in our matches early in the morning and play hard all day, with an evident interest of finishing a full game, if possible, and if, after one innings a side, it be evident that this cannot be done, then play time out on the average system, pure and simple, or on the American plan of three-wicket innings, or divide the time remaining between the two elevens, or any other fair way; but, in any case, apply the average system, so that all the play will count in the result. Let us show a willingness to sacrifice matches, cups, and everything butthe best interest of the old game, and we shal-l have enough of spectators, friends, and supporters without resorting to radical legis­ lation, which, even where proper in itself, stirs up opposition and strife, and often results in damage to the cause it was designed to serve. D. S. N e w h a l l . C r ic k e t e r s .— B e st G oods b e a r th is M a r k ,— A d v t. THE EARLY DAYS OF THE SURREY CLUB. The following circular, which, through the courtesy of one of the oldest and most respected members of the Surrey County Club, we are able to reproduce, will be read with interest, as showing the officers and working of the Club in its early days. The document is not dated, but as the Oval was not transformed into a cricket ground till 1845, and Mr. John Burrup succeeded to the office of Hon. Secretary, in succession to Mr. Denison, in 1848, it must have been issued between the years named. The Earl of Bess- borough, who was then the Hon. Frederick Ponsonby, has been Vice-President since the formation o f the Club. Mr. Richard Roberts, who has been for many years one of the most active members of the Com­ mittee, is, excepting the Vice-President, the only one of the twenty-four whose names are given who still takes a pro­ minent part in the management of the Club. SUBBEY CRICKET CLUB. IPEESIDENT. W .'STRAH AN , ESq , Ashurst, Dorking. TREASURER. C.'H. HOARE, Esq. O v a l , K e n n in q t o n . 184 | VICE-PRESIDENT. THE HON. P . PONSONBY. HON. SECRETARY. W ILLIAM DENISON, E s q COMMITTEE. 0 . J. ABBOTT, E sq. E. O. BANNER, E sq . G. BEVINGTON, E sq. J. BONSOR, E sq. R . BROUGHTON, E Sq. J. CRESSINGHAM, Eaq. S. EL YARD, E sq. GAMUL PARMER, ESq. N. PELIX, E sq. THE HON. R. GRIMSTON H. HOARE, E sq. W . KIDDLE, E8q. H. M ORTIM ER, ESq. G. PICKERING, E sq. W . PICKERING, ESq. G. D. RAINCOCK, ESq. E . REEVES, E sq. R . ROBERTS, ESQ. AUDITORS. J. GROVE, E sq. P . CHRISTY, E Sq. S ir , The County of Surrey for many years held a high position iu the “ Cricket ” world, and was distinguished for having vanquished the most powerful “ Elevens ” which could be brought against its own by the other Counties of England. The ordinary casualties of life, however, as time progressed, tended to a sever­ ance of that strength, which, in respect to a “ County’s ” play, must be concentrated, and in reference to the support and maintenance of the “ Noble Game,” must be held together. To restore the “ County ” to its former rank in a Cricketing sense, the “ Surrey Club ” has been founded. The objects of the Committee will be to seek out, and bring together, the “ Cricketing ” talent, which for several years has been spread about the County, to play Matches of import­ ance, not only upon their own ground, (the Oval, Kennington,) but in different parts of Surrey, and to engage the best Bowlers the County will afford, to be in attendance at the “ Oval,” for the practice of the Members of the Club. I am requested therefore by the Com­ mittee, to solicit your aid and support in this undertaking, ana to add that they will be happy to receive your authority to propose you as a Member of the “ Surrey Club.” I have the honour to remain, S ir , Your obedient Servant, WILLIAM DENISON, Hon. Sec.