Cricket 1892

502 CRICKET; A WEEKLY RECORD OP THE GAME; DEC. 29, 1892 not seem to have had any very prejudi­ cial effect on his nerves. The saddest feature in connection with poor Dunn’s death, was that he was going back for his last season in Hong-Kong, prior to return­ ing home to his regiment in February. “ N a t L e e ” in the Tasmanian Mail re­ cords an incident in a match between the Mercury Club and Fitzgerald’s, which would seem to suggest that the cricket schoolmaster is not very much abroad in that Colony. This is his version of the episode. One of the Mercury invincibles, after going through the orthodox formula of taking guard, etc,, lunged in the direction where he thought the ball was, missed, and—was clean bowled. “ That's bad luck for us,” said one of his side to the umpire. “ He would have been out in any case,” replied that function­ ary, in a tone that admitted of no doubt. '■Why ? How do you make that out ? ” He knew that the ball did not touch the batsman’s leg, he said, but he insisted that having his leg in front ensured his dismissed. The cricket contributor "of the Mail finishes up with the enquiry, “ Is that Crowner’s quest law ? ” Not altogether. At least I know an English Crowner who does not go out in a hurry, that is if there is any reasonable chance of stopping. E v e b since the first team of English cricketers starred in Africa under the care of Major Warton, there have been rumours of a possible return in the shape of a visit of South African cricketers to the old country. Hitherto the idea, has never taken a tangible shape. Now, however, the project seems to have reached the scope of practical politics. At all events the scheme has taken an official form. At a meeting held at Kimberley during the course of the Currie tourna­ ment last month, the Committee of the South African Cricket Association passed a resolution favouring the idea of sending a team representative of South Africa to England during the summer of 1894. T h a t the Association means business, too, is shown by the fact that it em­ powered its Honorary Secretary to com- nicate with Mr. C. W. Alcock with a view to clear the ground and sound the different Clubs as to the reception of the tourists. My own advices are to the effect that the idea of sending a team home has been taken up very warmly in Africa. Indeed I am assured on the best authority that not only will the required guarantee against loss be easily procured, but that there is no doubt of collecting a side which will be very nearly, if not quite representative of South African cricket. I t may be pointed out even at this stage that the intention of the promoters is to conduct the tour on strictly amateur lines. Should there be any surplus at the end of the tour over and above the payment of ordinary amateurs’ expenses, the idea is to place it in the hands of the South African Cricket Association, partly for the purpose of relieving the guarantors and partly for application to cricket purposes, which I take to mean for the development of the game in South Africa. As yet it is rather early to speculate on the possibilities of the tour. Still, on something like a reasonable handicap against say some of the less important counties, a representative team of South African cricketers would probably hold their own. In any case, such a visit could not fail to be of use from an educational point of view, in gaining for the team an insight into the style and form of the best English masters. E d w in A sh has been a name to con­ jure with in the athletic world of Greater London for over a quarter of a century. In the Thames Valley district he has been a power of himself in the develop­ ment of athletic sports of any kind, and Richmond in particular has been greatly indebted to his untiring zeal in the cause of physical culture. Whether as first hon. sec. of the Rugby Union, as a committee­ man of the Surrey County C.C., as founder of the Richmond Athletic Asso­ ciation, or, last of all, as manager of the English cricket team in Africa last winter, he has been equally popular. A v a r ie t y artist so far as sport is con­ cerned, “ Daddy ” has been equally popular in every capacity, winning, in fact, golden opinions from all sorts and conditions of men. In appreciation of a long devotion to athletics, an influential Committee has been lormed in Richmond to present him with a testimonial in commemoration of his Jubilee, which was reached in the first week in this month. The Hon. Sec. is A. F. Andre, Richmond, who will be glad to give every information. No one has done more in his way to encourage outdoor sport, aud it is to be hoped that the response will be sufficiently wide to show the public appreciation of the loyal and unselfish work Daddy has done in the interests of sport. T h e victory of the Parsees over Lord Hawke’s team at Bombay last week can not fail to give unmixed gratification to all who have at heart the highest interests of the game. A success, more or less, to the Englishmen means nothing compared with the stimulus such a result is bound to give to the development of cricket in India. The I’arsees, indeed, deserve every praise for the zeal with which ihey have pursued the study of cricket under the greatest disadvantages, and every new sign of improvement should be a subject for congratulation. Their two visits to England under very discouraging auspices prove that they are of real grit in respect of cricket. Their victory is only another proof of the power of Willow the King, over whose dominions the sun never sets. No English bowlers who have had the opportunity of testing for themselves the boundless capacity of J. J. Lyons, the burly South Australian, when he has “ took rut,” to useTom Emmett's ex­ pressive phrase, would be surprised at any record to his credit in the way of hitting. S t i l l , it will perhaps be some small consolation to many on whom he has per­ formed oi er here, to learn how impartial he is in histreatment of the howlers he has to meet “ down under.” The latest per­ formance to his credit was for the Nor­ wood Club, against a fifteen of Norton’s Summit, which is Adelaide way. The Norwoods had at ihe end of the day to make 86 runs to win in forty minutes, and there was apparently some doubt as to their success. It was soon dispelled, though, for in 88 minutes Lyons rushed up no less than 101 from his own bat, and the result at the close was a total of 160 for four wickets. How gently he tapped may be gath­ ered from the fact that his figures included one five and thirteen fours. My trusty cor­ respondent, “Felix” of the Australasian, suggests that on this occasion Lyons reached ihe summit of his batting fame. But no matter: Anyway it is interesting to know, in view of forthcoming events, say, in England next summer, that the mighty hitter had two hundreds to his credit in South Australian cricket during the week ending Nov. 19. So after all, the rumours that George Giffen was certain not to accompany the Australian team to England next summer would appear to have been a little too previous. Recent pronouncements in the Colonial press, and—what is of more significance—in certain papers which have never looked at the formation of an Australian team of late years with anything but a jaundiced eye, at all|events, are infinitely more confident in their assertions as to his joining the team than they have ever been before. I n fo r m a tio n I have received, I need hardly remind C r ic k e t readers, has led me all through to be hopeful as to his appearance, and I am sure his presence in the team will give additional interest to their doings. It is particularly note­ worthy in this connection, that at the Annual Social of the Norwood Club, at Adelaide, in the middle of last month, Giffen himself expressed his intention to go to England if he could possibly manage it. “ For this relief, much thanks.” T h e preparatory schoolmasters of Brighton and the neighbourhood in solemn conclave assembled, at Brighton on December 10th, came to conclu­ sions of importance—it would be more appropriate, peihaps, to say of weight— in the training ofthe young cricketer. T h e resolutions had better be given verbatim et litteratim. 1. That the cricket ball used by Brighton preparatory schools be the small ball, as made by Wisden, for boys. 2. That the attention of makers be special y directed to turning out lighter bats of firs t- olass material, aiid of really good balance, for small boys.