Cricket 1896

“ Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.” — Byron, so. 417. v o l. x v . THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1896. p r i c e 2 d. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. MR . H A R R Y MUSGROYE . To interview the manager of an Aus­ tralian team, just after his arrival in England, is an extremely interesting experience, which may be recommended to anyone whose doctor has advised him to get a little ex­ citement. Seeing that the manager has himself to in­ terview dozens of people on important matters of business, and that he has to be, if possible, in two or three places at the same time, it is surpris­ ing that he can snatch a moment even to say that he thinks his team will win if it does not lose, and that the voyage has been satisfactory (or otherwise). But Mr. Mus­ grove has become so accus­ tomed to trying situations, in the course of the fifteen years, during which he has had the charge of theatrical touring companies in Australia, that it would be impossible to disturb his equanimity; so difficulties were soon surmounted. Mr. Musgrove has played cricket almost all his life. He had the honour of making a record the first time he played against England in Australia, for he made 109 at Ballarat, a score which has never been approached by an Australian in his debut against the home country. For many years he has been a popular member of the Eait Melbourne C.C., generally being well up in the averages; in fact, he did so well that he was once chosen to play in a representative match between England and Australia. “ I joined the East Melbourne club when I was very young,” he said, “ and have never wished to leave it, for it seems to me a mistake to go pottering about from one club to another if you can possibly help it. Lately, I have not played much cricket, owing to want of time, but I take just as much interest in it as ever, and when Stoddart’s team was over, I saw most of the matches.” “ You must have had rather a rush since vou left the Cuzco at Naples ? ” “ Well, yes, I have been moving about most of the time. We left Naples on Friday after spending a few hours in the town. We had lunch there, dinner at Rome, breakfast on Saturday at Genoa, lunch at Turin, dinner in the dining car of the train just after crossing into Southern France, And breakfast at Paris on Sunday. By this time I was so tired that 1 thought it advisable to have a complete and entire rest at Paris on the Sunday. I had a good time there, and went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, saw the Champs Elysees, the Bois de Boulogne, the Boulevards, and a good many other things. I had never been in Paris before, and so I enjoyed my visit all the more. Since I reached England, I have, of course, had to rush about and see very many people, but I found time on Wednesday night to accept an invitation to supper with Sir Augustus and Lady Harris at the Covent Garden Ball.” “ Is this your first visit to England ? ” “ I have not been here since I was a little boy. I was bom in England—at Surbiton—and a few days ago I was asked, as a compliment, to play for the Surrey Eleven against the Next Sixteen. I have an elder brother living in London now, who knows the city well, and has shown me round a great deal, for, naturally, I remember hardly anything of London. My brother is in charge of the London branch of Williamson and Musgrove, while J. C. Williamson manages the Aus­ tralian branch. The partner­ ship was fixed up through a cricket match ; previously there were two firms. We had been playing for a theatrical team against Kew Asylum, and on our way back I started a con­ versation on the advisability of amalgamating. J. C. was in Australia, and G. M. (my brother) was in England, but in less than a week the present partnership was arranged.” “ Is Mr. Williamson also a cricketer ? ” “ He is a very great supporter of the game, and takes immense interest in Australian cricket, especially in our own team. If there happens to be an important rehearsal, and one of the team wants to play cricket, it is noticed that he generally contrives to persuade Williamson that his presence at thg