Cricket 1901

u c r i c k e t : a W e e k l y r e c o r d o f t h e g a m e . A p r i l 18, 1901. A m o n g the forthcom ing cricket bocks is “ A H istory of Cambridge University Cricket Club,” by Mr. W . J. Ford. It ■will contain, among other things, the scores of all the first-class matches played by the University from 1825 to 1900, and will be published by Messrs. Blackwood. I t is understood that Captain Greig, who has been for some years considered the best batsman in India, will play for Hampshire this year. Lieutenant E. I. M. Barrett has not yet returned to South Africa and may, perhaps be seen in the field this season. C. B. Llewellyn, who was said to be qualifying for Hampshire as an amateur, will, it is reported, appear as a professional. C o m m e n t in g on the South African team, which sailed for England yes­ terday (Wednesday) the N a ta l W itness says:— It is somewhat unjust that the team which Mr. J. I). Logan has undertaken to send to England next month to engage the English county teams should be desig­ nated “ the South African team,” for the members of the team which is being des­ patched have not been selected by the South African Cricket Union, and are certainly not representative of South African cricket. The tour is simply a private venture, and the players have been selected by Mr. Logan. A t the same time, it is the duty of the South African Cricket Union to make it clear to the English cricket authorities, and also to the English public, that the cricketers who leave Cape Town on the 17th of next month do not, in the true sense of the term, represent cricket in South Africa. A t the outside there are only half a dozen (layers out of the fourteen finally selected ly Mr. Logan who would have a ghost of a chance of playing for South Africa in a representative match — say, against an English or Australian team—on this side of the equator, and of the remaining eight there are several who have not yet won their inter colonial caps. I t is sincerely to be hoped that the statement of our contemporary, made, no doubt, in all good faith, is mistaken, for if it were true it would naturally have a bad effect on the receipts during the tour, for a team which was not fairly repre­ sentative would not attract much atten­ tion. A ll English cricketers will hope that the com ing team is really represen­ tative of the South African colonies, for it is certain that they all wish it a large measure of success. Or the members of the team our con­ temporary says:— Murray Bisset, Rowe, Sinclair, Halli- well, Louis Tancred, and Prince are names which are familiar, hut in this list there are three wicket-keepers. Natal has one representative in B. C. Cooley, while to give the team a representative colouring, W . Shalders has been invited to represent Griqualand West. In the last Currie Cup Tournament, the first-named compiled a total of 88 runs (including one score of 83) for four innings, while Shalders made 128 for six innings. The names of some of the others selected—notably J. D. Logan, Jun., and J. Kotze—are practically un­ known outside Cape Town, and these men have done nothing that entitles them to be selected to play for South Africa. W e have received the following letter from an enthusiastic native cricketer in Madras. We are sure that readers of Cricket will wish success to the “ City Eleven.” A t Madras, by the kind proposal of some of my well-known friends and admirers (myself including) of Cricket, a cricket club was started under the name of the “ City Eleven,” which played a series of matches this year (1900) with all the influ­ ential and interesting clubs of cricket, including Madras and M .N.U.C., etc. The club is working now in a good con­ dition. Recently the anniversary of the “ City Eleven ” was celebrated with great pomp and splendour on the “ Auyudapuja” day, when almost all the interest mem­ bers of the eleven, consisting of nearly 40, were present. The credit should be given to the former secretary, now the new- elected captain of the eleven, Mr. K. S. Ramiah, a young cricketer of 22 years, for his sole devotion in training the youngsters to cultivate the knowledge of cricket into their minds and to improve in the out­ door game to a thorough bp his skill and ability. I pray God that the flag of cricket would wave in the atmosphere reaching its zenith. W ith many good greetings, Yours faithfully,. L. A n a n t a n a r a y a n a T y e r . T h e Marlborough Blues have in their president, A. G. Steel, a double K.C., a King’s Counsel as well as a King (of) Cricket. W. Gordon Fellowes retains the position of hon. sec. and treasurer. The Kent tour is this year limited to a week instead of the usual fortnight, owing to other arrangements contem­ plated not having come off. H. G. Parsons, of Ealing, will umpire for the club as usual. The Blues hardly come within the scope of Metropolitan Clubs, as they have no ground. Hence their appearance in this column. M AY . 4. v. Streatham 11. v. "Wimbledon 18. y . Esher JUNE. 1. v. Henley 8. v. Hampstead 21. v. The School, i.e., Marlborough College* JU LY . 6. y . Ealing 13. v. St. John’s School, Leatherhead 20. v. Haileybuiy 27. v. Surbiton AUGUST. 2. v. Banstead 3. v. Beddington 10. v. Private Banks 12. v. St. Lawrence, Canterbury* ) 14. v. Blue Mantles* >Kent Tour. 16. v. Goddington* I 17. v. Kensington Park * Two-day matches. A curious match between two schools — St. Joseph’s College and Sydney Church of England Grammar School—took place recently in Sydney. St. Joseph’s scored 115 to 29 in the first innings, the Grammar School followed on and obtained 236,109 going on for the laBt wicket. This set St. Joseph’s 150, and they were put out for 33. The match was full of sensations. Hickson scored 139, going in first, and was last out. The hat trick was per­ formed once on each side, and there were 14 duck’s eggs. R e f e r r in g to an instance o f rapid scoring the Sydney Mail says:— The sensational fixture of the series of matches played on February 23rd was that at Parramatta between Redfern and the dis­ trict club. Owing to the despatch of an absurd telephonic message the Redfern club did not go to Parramatta on the first day. As that message was forwarded by a Central Cumberland man, the local club did not claim a forfeit. On the Friday afternoon I asked Les. Pye what Central Cumberland were going to do. Said he, “ Oh, play a one-day match and win.” I replied, “ You might with the aid of a wet wicket.” “ Oh, no,” said he, “ I think we can get them out, and then knock off the runs,” and sure enough he was right. Redfern were dismissed for 132, and in an hour and a quarter Central Cumberland bad obtained ihe runs. They sent Howell in to hit. He was had for four, but on Pye joining Farquhar the banging commenced. The latter was especially severe, and with Wickham got the balance of the runs, and thus Central Cumberland won a great finish by eight wickets. Farquhar obtained 81 not out, and played a brilliant innings. It was a magnificent victory for Central Cumberland. F rom iime to time visits are paid by Buenos Aires cricketers to Valparaiso, but as the journey is exceedingly difficult, the Andes having to be crossed on mules, often in the midst of snow, matches are not arranged in as comfortable a manner as they are in England. It is intended to send a team from Buenos Aires this year in Ju ly, and as it is understood that there are several good cricketers now in Valparaiso, the visitors will have no light task in raising a team to meet them. For it is not every cricketer who would care to undertake the arduous journey, nor can every cricketer manage to get leave of absence for the three weeks required for the trip. I n a letter to the Field “ A C oach ” says:— If one may be allowed to suggest it, past masters of the art of batting are not the best persons to decide on the effect such a change (the proposed new l.b.w. law) will have on the whole game. Their success has blinded them to the methods by which it was in the early days achieved. But, after all, it is batting as it comes to the “ man in the street ” which ought to be considered by those who legislate for a national game. For half-a-dozen years it has been my privilege and pleasure to instruct the “ raw material” of a club in a populous town in the art of correct batting as it was taught to me at a public school. I know no discipline for pupils and teacher so wholesome as this study to acquire the correct art. By will and habit a natural inclination has to be overcome at a critical moment. Slowly but surely those who can achieve this reap their harvest. Batting as understood and taught at present is such a beautiful art that the true theory put into practice brings its own reward. Alter the l.b.w. rule and cricket may become an easier game, but it will cease to be what it is now—a wholesome discipline in which self- denial and self-control are profitable to him who exercises them.