Cricket 1897

“ Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. so. 461. v o l . x v i . THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1897. m i c e aa. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. MR. J. GIFFORD. A few years ago English cricketers hardly concerned themselves with what their brother cricketers were doing in foreign climes to keep up the traditions of the game, except when Australia was concerned. But of late touring teams—of which Lord Hawke may he said to he the great pioneer—have awakened an interest in the cricket of South Africa, India, Canada, the United States, and the West Indies. It is now hoped that another touring team will go to Buenos Aires, where our countrymen, despile many diffi­ culties, have attained a consider­ able degree of excellence, thanks, in a very great measure, to the way in which Mr. Gifford (who, as everybody knows, has been playing this teason with success in England) has worked to further the progress of the game since his arrival there in 1884. He had previously visited South America as a boy, and has occa­ sionally made flying visits to England since he finally took up his residence in Buenos Aires. While he was in England he had no chance of playing in first-class cricket until this summer, but in 1883 he played regularly for Kensington Park, for whom he had an average of 46. As becomes a man who lives in a land where revolutions are not unknown, Mr. Gifford is pre­ pared for emergencies, and when in his first match for the M.C.C. this year he was asked to captain the team against Essex, he at once accepted the responsibility (al­ though he was unknown to nearly all the players), and had the pleasure of leading his team to victory, weak as it was. A refer­ ence to the scores will show that the captain, after doing his duty by winning the toss, put himself in first, and made the second highest score for his side, after being severely hurt by a fast ball. He has since then played in several first-class matches, and is regarded by critics as a distinctly good bat, who only wants opportunities of playing in good company. In club matches in various parts of England this year he has often scored largely, but, as may be easily imagined, it sometimes happens that when he is playing for a small club, whose captain does not keep in touch with what is going on, he is put in very late. When in such circumstances he carries his bat for 20 or 30 it is concluded that the bowling must have become very much easier than it was at first. In the Buenos Aires district he has for years been the moving spirit of the English colony. His best season was 1892-1893, when his chief scores were 140 not out, 105 not out, 134 not out, 93, 81, 68 not out, MB. J. GIFFORD. (From a Photo by A. S. Whitcomb , Buenos Aires.) 64 not out, 63 not out, 61 not out. He made 1,125 runs, and had an average of 66‘ 17. Cricket in Buenos Aires is practically played by Englishmen alone. “ A few of the English speaking natives sometimes come to practice,” said Mr. Gifford, “ but in the main the inhabitants of Buenos Aires, which is, of course, a very cosmopolitan city, take little interest in the game, while the spectators at matches are nearlykall English people. We cannot charge entrance money, for if we did wo should expose ourselves to a fine of 50,000 dollars. But the authorities are very good to us, in that they allow us to have the ground at Palermo at a nominal rent, and place no hindrances in our way. The Hon. William Barrington, the English Ambassador, is the president of the club. Unlike many English­ men in foreign parts we are not neglected by the Press, and we have a paper called Sport andPastime, of which Mr. Ravens- croft, who is now in England, is the proprietor, devoted entirely to cricket and other sport—and fortunately for the proprietor and ourselves, there are plenty of ad­ vertisements in it.” ‘ ‘ Are the cricket grounds close to the city?” “ The nearest is at Palermo— the Buenos Aires cricket club ground—which is four miles off. We reach it either by train or by driving over, and a very pretty drive it is. Another ground is at Flores, a suburb of Buenos Aires at about the same distance as Palermo. The Lomas ground is about an hour’s distance by train. But the chief ground in the district is at Hurlingham, some 20 miles out of town. Hurlingham is, I think, unique in its way. It may be described as a club founded by English­ men. There is a club-house for the accommodation of members which is nearly always full, and in the summer there is great competition for rooms. Every­ thing is as complete as possible. There is a cricket ground, a polo ground, lawn tennis courts, golf links, a race course, running track, a racket court, bat fives courts, a pigeon shooting club, football ground, stables for polo ponies, shower baths—everything requiredby sportsmen. Thecricket ground is one of the best in the world, and the wicket lasts well. It is superintended by Lacey, a Notts professional, who has done wonders with it. There are no trees round it to interfere withtheplay. At Palermo, on the other hand, there are lots of trees, but the light is so good that the ball always looks red, while the wicket is good. At Flores, which has been lately put into order, there are no trees. I may say that at the present time, Lacey is the only professional we have in the district.” “ What is the weather like ? ”