Cricket 1891

APRIL 28, 1891 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME; 78 i a few months made the first Electric Bailway in England such a marked success. I t appears now that I was misled by the receipt of a circular which seemed to emanate from Lord’s into the belief that the Marylebone Club had decided to continue the publication of “ Scores and Biographies," which, as all students of cricket lore are aware, was discontinued with the thirteenth volume, up to date. The announcement I made in “ Gossip ” a few weeks ago was therefore the result of a wrong inference. At the same time I am still hopeful that the history of the game may yet be brought up to our own times, to present-day cricket. The in­ defatigable compiler, Mr. Arthur Haygarth, has thoroughly earned the hearty gratitude of all, and no one who has any conception of his unselfish and laborious work for many years in the service of cricket, but recognises the inestimate value of his patient and careful research. I feel sure if only some ar­ rangement could be devised whereby the M.S. or even the earlier part of it could on completion be handed over to some properly qualified person for him to see through the press and publish, there would be no real difficulty in finding sufficient support to justify the continua­ tion of the work. A good old-time representative of Canadian cricket passed away in the earlier days of this month at Montreal. I refer to Mr. Harry Bead, the Assistant Treasurer of the Grand Trunk Bailway. A decade ago he was one of the best known players in the Dominion. A fast bowler of more than ordinary ability, in conjunction with Mr.C. J.Logan he helped to make the Port Hope Eleven one of the most formidable combinations in Canada. At that time he held the joint offices of Secretary and Treasurer of the Midland Bailway, but his appointment to the Assistant-Treasurership of the Grand Trunk Bailway,when the Midland became part of its system, increased his work and responsibilities so much that he had to give up active pursuit of the game. Still he never lost touch with cricket or cricketers, and hiB interest to the very last lost none of its keenness. T he unceasing development of the game is a matter of concern to every C ricket reader, and the news that the cricket missionary is finding new spheres of activity, or reviving interest where, owing to other influences, it has tem­ porarily slackened, cannot fail to be always welcome. The Empire of Toronto gives the gratifying information that cricket has, to use its own words, “ re­ ceived a great boom” on the Pacific Coast. A league, consisting of six clubs, has, the Empire adds, been formed, and a regular championship series of games arranged. A Denver team will make a tour through California, and help to keep the enthu­ siasm alive. So mote it be. J. J. L yons , the “ gentle tapper ” of the last two Australian teams, was credited with a bowling performance on March 11 at Adelaide, which, from the rarity of its occurrence, always merits a special notice. It was in a match between the Norwoods and North Adelaides. Lyons took all the ten wickets in the latter’s innings, and, considering the excellence of the pitch, it enhanced the merit of the feat that he should have hit the stumps no less than seven times. Lyons has only had this particular record to his credit once before, I believe, during his cricket career. M e . E d w in A sh has, I learn, accepted an invitation from the Committee of the Bugby Union,, to take charge of the English Football Team which leaves England in June to . play a series of matches in South Africa, with the approval of the Bugby Union. Mr. Ash has for thirty years played a conspicuous part in athletics of all kinds, particularly in the Thames Valley, and it is a matter for regret that his enthusiasm has not awakened a more hearty response in Bichmond, where he has worked so in- defatigably and unselfishly. Mr. Ash was for some years on the Committee of the Surrey County C.C., and was founder of the Bichmond Athletic Association, which has of late done so much in its efforts to popularise sport in the district. He was also Hon. Sec. of the Bugby Football Union in its earlier days, and therefore his selection to conduct a team under the auspices of that body has a special fitness. His friends, and their number is legion, will wish him all the enjoyment as well as the benefit in health such a trip can not fail to give. T h ey do not believe much in the smallest evasion of the strict letter of the law in Kimberley, to judge by the action of [he Captain of the Colonial team which played the Home Born in that town on Good Friday. It appears that the Colonials, after being dismissed them­ selves for 93, were treated to a lengthy outing, having had 254 runs scored against them when the eighth wicket fell. It was here that the rigour of the law wasupheld, for the Colonial Captain removed his men in consequence of the field being kept waiting more than two minutes for the appearance of the next batsman. The Cape Argus adds that this is the first time the regulation pro­ viding for a maximum interval of two minutes on the fall of a wicket has been carried out to the bitter end. A proper compliance with the rules is of course essential to the proper conduct of every game. It would be well, perhaps, if the waste of time against which this particular provision is directed were more generally discountenanced here. T he movement with the object of placing on a more satisfactory basis the interchange of visits between English and Australian teams, which has been for some little time past the subject for discussion among some of the leaders of cricket in the Colonies, has assumed, many on this side will be glad to hear, a definite shape. At least, the adoption by the New South Wales Association, on the recommendation of a Sub-Committee, of the principle of a representative Coun­ cil to control these tours, constitutes the first step towards the realisation of an idea which has been consistently and repeatedly advocated in C b ic k e t . The resolutions passed by the New South Wales Association at its meeting, on the 10th of last month, represent, I fancy, so thoroughly the feelings of the bulk of cricketers in the Old Country that it will be well to give them in fu ll:— 111. That in our opinion the present system —or, rather, want of system—in connection with the tours o£ Australian cricketers, o r of teams visiting the colonies, shonld be con­ trolled by a body representing the Cricketing Associations of the Australian Colonies. 2. That no team shall be allowed to leave the colonies as a representative Australian Team unless at least the time for the proposed tour and composition of the team be approved by some such representative body. 3. That a Cricket Council, composed of representatives from each Association of the colonies, should be formed as early as practicable, to whom all projected tours in the future should be sub­ mitted for approval. 4. That if a body such as that proposed be formed, it should en­ deavour to conclude arrangements with the recognised authorities governing English cricket, in order to secure mutual advice and co-operation, and to bring about an agree­ ment by which teams visiting England, or vice versa , should not be entitled to be deemed representative unless duly accredited as such by the Council of the colonies or the afore­ mentioned governing authorities of English cricket.” F rom what I can gather, too, there is a consensus of opinion throughout the Colonies in favour of the creation of sueh a controlling power. I prefer just now not to use the word “ Cricket Council ” for obvious reasons. One may, however, hope in the event of its institution that the new body will show a higher capacity for administration than that which came to such an untimely as well as undignified end last December at Lord’s. F rom information I have received, it is fairly certain that the election of the team which it is proposed to send to England next year, will be submitted to the approval of a committee, embracing representatives from different Colonies, which will in all probability be the Federal Council above indicated. Under such auspices it is manifest that the trip would commend itself more thoroughly to the sympathy of English cricketers. I have every reason to believe that this is the policy of those who have taken the initiative with a view to the collection of another Australian team. It is signifi­ cant, too, to know that there have already been enquiries from some active and intelligent officers of English clubs with a view to this next visit of an Australian combination.