Cricket 1900

“ Together joined In Cricket’* manly toil.”— Byron . w o. 5 5 8 . v o l . x i x , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1900 p k i c e s a . CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD- MR. R. H. MALLETT. As the secretary of the second-class counties’ chatnpionship, Mr. Mallett’s opinions are of particular interest just at present, when so many suggestions for reform are in the air. In addition to being a secretary, he is a cricketer, having played for Durham County for many years until the present sea­ son, when, owing to business cares, he had to content him­ self with M.C.C. matches and local cricket at Ealing, where he is now residing. Perhaps his best year for the county was 1895, when he was cap­ tain of the team, his average being about 40; but during the past season he was in great form for Ealing, for which club he generally acts as captain, although no regular captain is appointed. He would probably have never been as good as he is if he had not made a visit to Uppingham, where he re­ ceived such valuable hints from H. H. Stephenson that his cramped style became a thing of the past. Years ago Mr. brought before the County Cricket Council the proposal which is at the present time finding so much favouramong the friends of the second-class counties. “ My scheme,” he said, “ provided a means by which counties outside the pale might improve their position. I proposed that there should be three divi­ sions, and, somewhat to my surprise, the motion was re­ ceived not unfavourably. But there was a feeling among some of the representatives that if the cricket council were to manage its own affairs the authority of the M.C.C. would be lessened, and the upshot of it was that the M.C.C. took over the management of the county championship, which had hitherto been entirely managed by the Press; and since that time further progress has been slow and difficult.” “ Are the second-class counties satisfied with their present position ? ” ‘ ‘ I think not. At their last meeting in December, 1899, it was resolved that every effort be made to obtain recognition by the M.C.C. Committee and the First Class Counties of the Minor Counties Competition as the Second Division of the County Championship, and to secure a recognised system of promotion by merit. The Sub-Committee, which was appointed to take steps to further these objects, suggested that the second- class county which was champion of its division should have the right to play out and home matches in the following season with the three first class countie which were lowest on the list—not with the object of replacing one of these counties, but of shewing whether it was good enough to justify promotion. When this suggestion went before the M.C.C. they stated that, as the scheme included the second elevens of first class counties, it was necessary to take the opinions of the first class counties. The opinions were favourable to the recognition of a Second Division, but were opposed to the promo­ tion proposals, and it now seems highly probable that the necessary alterations will shortly be made in rules of county cricket to provide for a second class in the County Classification Rules, and a Second Division in theCounty Championship Rules. The First-class Counties have, no doubt, a real difficulty to face in risking any addition to the number of counties competing in the County Championship, as the com­ petition—with the present number—can hardly be con­ sidered a satisfactory one, and cannot be an ideal one until the number is reduced. I do, however, firmly believe that the M.C.C. Committee and the First-class Counties fully realise now, and desire to recognise the efforts and struggles which have been made for some years by the managers of county cricket clubs to encourage and develop the game in their own districts, and, if I am right in my belief, there may be a way found to provide a proper recognition, promotion, or reward for successful effort on the part of a second division club.” “ Do you see any way yourself F” “ Yes. I think it is to be found in the rules as they now stand. The scheme of county cricket provides for (i.) First-class cricket; (ii.) the County Championship, under the County Championship rules there is a clear and definite one which