Cricket 1895

50 CRICKET • A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. A pbiij 11, 1895. gazing at it almost till it reached the ground, instead of going for it at once. Of course we soon got over those elementary difficulties, and in a short time we numbered natives amongst our best bowlers and fielders.” “ Would you name a couple of the best bowlers in the early days of the Tobago C lub ?” “ There were Bain—a colored, and Stanley, a blackman. The first was round arm with a fast delivery and a splendid wrist action. In business he was a dispenser. Stanley also was a good bowler, and was only a field labourer. One of the best effects of cricket was that it brought all classes together in a common love of sport, and I never wish to see a better feeling exist than obtained amongst Cricketers of high and low degree.” “ How about your own bowling, Dr. ?” “ Oh, I am rather peculiar. I bowl lobs with my right and slow over arm with my left. I taught myself to do the latter chiefly by the use of dumb bells. I sometimes get on a very good break with my slows—often a foot, and occasionally half a yard, but not with certainty.” “ And did you ever receive visits from big teams ? ” “ Perhaps the best match we played was against a team from the British Fleet. The Duke of York and the Duke of Clarence were present. We were defeated by eight wickets, but they had a very strong side. In our team were the Rev. Canon Turpin, Mr. Trestrail (of Epsom College), Dr. Tulloch (of Edin­ burgh), Dr. Witz, and myself. ” “ Is there any inter-island competi­ tions out there ? ” “ Oh, yes ! There is a Challenge Cup competed for by the Trinidad, Barbados, and British Guiana.” “ And how could representative elevens be made up ? ” “ I tried on this occasion to get Bar­ bados, British Guiana, Trinidad, and Jamaica, to arrange representative West Indian teams consisting in each place of five men selected from the home team and two from each of the other places. The eleven to be chosen quite irrespec­ tive of color, and entirely on the merits of the men.” “ Of what strength would you say a good representative team of the West Indies would be ? ” “ I should say ahout second-class county form in England. Our matches against Mr. Lucas’s gives a fair indication of our strength. Trinidad for instance, had a fine victory over the English­ men.” “ And do you anticipate that a West Indian eleven will visit England in the near future ? ” “ I hope s o ! A good deal depends upon whether Lord Hawke will be able to bring out a team in a couple of seasons or so. He may perhaps visit the West Indies the season after next, and we may be able perhaps next year to organise a tour in England. In any case, the im­ petus which Mr. Lucas and his men have given to the game is certain to make our men anxious to visit England in the near future.” “ And how about your turf F Is it as good as in England p” “ The turf is lovely. The leaf is low and broad, and makes an admirable batting surface. Of course, it does not get the care and nursing of your best English wickets, otherwise, I should say it would be quite as good. In the summer it gets pretty well frizzled up, but in the winter, say from December to March, which is our cricket season proper, we get splendid wickets.” “ And now, Doctor, tell me whether you had any difficulty in getting together the team now touring under the captaincy of Mr. Lucas ? ” “ It took a long time to get over initial difficulties ; for the idea of cricket in the West Indies was very novel, and theWest Indians themselves were doubtful of success. But I had the valuable co­ operation of Lord Hawke, Lord Stam­ ford, and Mr. Neville Lubbock. Those three gentlemen, with myself, approached the Boyal Mail Packet Co., who made a most liberal concession for the round trip. I had a most kindly reception and valued advice and suggestions from the com­ mittee and secretaries of the M.C.C. and Surrey County C .C .; but it was not till Lord Hawke’s return from America and a short visit to Jamaica that he succeeded in getting Mr. Lucas to captain and get up the team, when all difficulties were overcome. The team pay their own expenses. There are only one or two places where ‘ gates ’ are taken. The Englishmen were, however, the guests of the islanders wherever they happen to be. It will not be an expensive trip, and from what I hear, they are all delighted with their experiences out there, whilst West Indians are eager for a revival of the visit, perhaps the year after next. The English team was a very happy selection, being just strong enough to win a majority of their matches, and not strong enough to discourage the men they met.” No one could meet Dr. Anderson and fail to be impressed by his personality. He is full of enthusiasm for the West Indies, which he says have been too long treated as poor relations by this country. Dr. Anderson is a Lincolnshire man, and in his early manhood was captain and secretary of the Plymouth Cricket Club. The Doctor will be engaged some time longer in arduous public and private work in England before returning to Tobago. It only remains to be said that all the leading cricket associa­ tions in the West Indies have passed resolutions thanking Dr. Anderson for his splendid services in sending out such an excellent team of English gentlemen, as Mr. Lucas and his men undoubtedly are. So far, the Jamaica visit not being concluded, the places that have done best against the English team are Barbados, Trinidad, and St. Yincent. The five days match in Barbados was a splendid per­ formance on both sides. Searmond, a colored gentleman, and Clifford Goodman especially, distinguished themselves. The Barbados first innings of 517 included six innings of over 60, and none of quite a hundred. The wicket and the weather were both perfect—as they were also in Trinidad. The following lines on the late Earl of Bessborough appeared in the last number of The Harovian. They are written, as the initials show, by a well known Harrow man:— F.P. One friend and he, when thrills of -warmer spring Lent health and voice to boyish frame and tongue, Stood side by side, or parted hut to bring Their treasured counsel to the scattering throng. Tory, and W h ig ; stout will, and courtly grace: One strong for strife, one ignorant of fo e ; Both high of heart, and matched in honour’ s race; And in what else united ? Ah, we know. Harrow, what service that from narrower soul W e give the hill where hopes and courage move Can rival his who spent, ungrudging, whole, For thee, with thee, his seventy years of love ? Eager in boyhood ; then a hero great In fields of sport, from vulgar flaunting free ; Tried in life’s larger labours, tasks of state : But most himself when caring most for thee ! How gentle, helpful, playful! who that came Shy, weak of limb, yet dreaming fame and skill, But found, ’ere half he whispered House and name, A voice that nurtured effort, strengthened will ? And never a Harrow triumph swelled the heart, And never a cloud fell dark on School or boy, But he, strong brother, claimed the foremost part, First in our griefs, and gladdest in our joy. “ So shifts the leg—so shapes the arm, the wrist ” — Ah, but the voice, the gesture ! see him watch With English strength, with Irish warmth, or list The boyish count of innings or of catch. The sunny humour rippling on the lips ’Mid pleasant tales of ancient strife and stress; And hope that knew nor lanquor nor eclipse, And clear calm eyes, and gallant tenderness. Our fields have lost his presence. Never more, In the long splendour of the summer days, Game after game, as swells the mountain score, His temperate voice shall gladden into praise. Others will toil as he did; still shall hold The chain that binds u s; skill nor love shall cease ; But he, the first, the purest friend of old, Rests in the silence of the endless Peace. Yet, O dear memory of the friend of youth, Die not, hut stay, and quicken, at his name, All that we have of valour and of truth, Honour in strife, and simpleness in fame. Still keep his teaching fresh, with arm and foot Supple, and firm, and scorning sloth alone; Keep fieldsmen watchful, batsman resolute But make our hearts as loyal as his own. E .E . B.