Cricket 1902

A pril 24, 1902. CRICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 91 O n Saturday Mr. F. Mitchell arrived at Southampton on the s.s. “ Norman.” On the subject of voting at schools for the most popular among the hoys—which is part of the scheme planned by Mr. Cecil Rhodes in organising his Scholar­ ships —Punch of this week is amusing. A letter is supposed to be written by Thomas Jenks to the Editor, and in it there occurs the following passage about cricket:— “ Chambers, the head of cricket, is said to he standing, and if he happens to make a century or two this term, he ought to have a chance. . . . Chambers has’nt askedme to be on his committee yet, but he enquired the other day in the pavilion whether I thought he was popular. I replied that I hadn’t made up my mind—it depended whether I was given my second eleven colours this term.” R e f e r e n c e is also made by Punch to the “ extreme sensitiveness on the part of our athletic crowds at anything which interrupts their amusement,” and imaginary pictures are drawn of what may happen in 1950. Thus :— The County cricket match between Dorset­ shire and Rutland, at Oakham, yesterday, was the occasion of some grand scoring. An unusual incident occurred in the course of the afternoon. The Rutland captain was giving a' fine display of batting, and as his side had secured a long lead he was con­ sidering the propriety of declaring his innings closed. It was, however, pointed out to him that it would be unsafe to disappoint the crowd, which was evidently enjoying his hard hitting. He is, therefore, batting still. The Minor Counties Cricket Champion­ ship, and, indeed, Northern sport in general, will suffer from the loss, it is to be hoped only a temporary one, of B. W. Elliott, the well-known Durham cricketer and Rugby footballer, who left Southamp­ ton on Sunday, in the “ Galetta,” to join Fincastle’s horse, in South Africa. 'Wellington College has trained few better all round athletes. A most dangerous bat and brilliant field, his all­ round cricket for Durham during the last few years has been of such a high- class as to cause a feeling of regret that he had not a chance of showing his capacity in the County Championship. As a three-quarter back he was quite in the first flight of English Rugby players as was shown by the International cap he got against Scotland last year. A n all-round athlete, unless I am mis­ taken, he represented Wellington College in the Public Schools' Racquet Competi­ tion, though I am writing from memory and without any data to verify the statement. T he bulk of the Australian team stota a march on the anxious British public by reaching London several days ahead of the date on which they were expected. In a letter from Major Wardill, I myself was prepared to look for them quite at the end of the week. But instead of staying several days in Paris, they paid only a flying visit, and certainly to my surprise were safely located at their headquarters, the Inns of Court Hotel, on Monday afternoon. L ord H awke , as Chairman of the Sheffield United Cricket and Football Club, would, I believe, have been entitled to the distinction of receiving the Foot­ ball Association Cup at the Crystal Palace last Saturday, but for the debate- able goal in the last three minutes, which deprived the Sheffield team of what for some time before had seemed to be certain of victory. As it was the des­ tination of the Cup for the next twelve months, remains the subject of conten­ tion between Southampton and Sheffield United. The Yorkshire Cricket Captain, I may add, was at the Palace on Saturday, ready and willing to receive the Cup if ortune had favoured the Northerners. “ DOWN AT HOVE.” A SUSSEX SONG. There’s a jolly little ground Down at Hove, The best for miles around, Down at Hove, And the people turn their backs On work, and come in packs T« see the Sussex “ cracks,” Down at Hove. There’s a ground where bowlers sigh, Down at Hove, W'hen “ Ranji ” or when “ Fry ” Down at Hove, Gets regularly set, And the weather’s far fromwet, Such ’skits of runs they get Down at Hove. There’s a"ground where batsmen “ rot ” Down at Hove, When “ Joey’s ” on the spot Down at Hove, For they know they’ll soon be gone When those shooters from the “ on ” Alight their shins upon, Down at Hove. There’s a ground where people cheer, Down at Hove, Whoever may appear, Down at Hove, We look forward to a day When, champions, Sussex may Bear the laurels all away, Down at Hove. S. E. B. April, 1902. THE ENGLISH TEAM IN AUSTRALIA. In view of statements that have appeared suggesting disagreements be­ tween the Melbourne C.C. and some of the professional cricketers who went out with Mr. Maclaren, the following remarks at the reception to the English cricketers after the finish of their last match, v. South Australia, will be read with interest:— Major Wardill, in replying to the Mel­ bourne C.C., said rumours had been spread that larger bonuses than £25 were to be paid to the English professionals. He distinctly denied that. No bonus was promised by the club, and it was an act of grace on their part to pay each man £25. Mr. Maclaren would bear him out in what he had said. In regard to the trips the/ sometimes lost and some­ times they had a profit. Whenever there was anvthing over the money was spent on cricket, ( n two English teams they had lost £4,500 and £3,500, and thof«e losses deterred the associations and council from taking the matter up. Mr. Maclaren said, as Major Wardill had referred to the bonuses to the professional members of his team, it was only fair, as they had stood by him throughout the tour, that he should stick to them. He thought there had been some misunderstanding in the matter. He wrote to each professional member of his team and told him that in the past the Melbourne Club and the New South Wales trustees when they had had a good financial tour had been generous enough to present each member with a bonus of £25 or £50. He further told eachman that he would do his best to induce the Melbourne Club to make the gift £50 if they had a good year. The Melbourne Club had made money, but not perhaps quite as much as some people would lead them to suppose. Each professional member had been pre­ sented with £25, and he assured them that when he told his professionals that in the circumstances the Melbourne Club thought that ample, eachmemberwas satisfied. Rumours would get about, and no one knew how they originated. He thought it would be a pity to leave Australia under the cloud that the professional members were not satisfied with their treatment. They were perfectly satisfied with the treatment meted out to them. No doubt the Melbourne Club, having brought them out, were iather sensi­ tive, and paid too much attention to rumours. Not a single member of his team had uttered one word of discontent to him, and it was only fair that that should be said. NONDESCRIPTS C.C. The following is the programme for this summer:— MAY. 3. Acton, v. Pallingswick 10. Mill Bill, v. M ill Hill School 17. Reigate, v. Reigate Hill 19. Ewell, v. Ewell 24. W oodford, v. W oodford Wells 31. Southgate, v. Southgate JUNE. 7. Uxbridge, v. Uxbridge 14. Ealing, v. Ealing 21. W oodford, v. W oodford Wells 26. Dunstable, v. Dunstable Grammar School 28. Bickley, v. Bickley Park JULY. 5. Chelmsford, v. Chelmsford 12. Brcxbourne, v. Broxbourne 19. Acton, v. Palligswick 56. Chiswick, v. Chiswick Park AUGUST. 4. Wellesbourne, v. Wellesbourne ^ 5. Rugby, v. Rugby 6. Warwick, v. Warwickshire Gentlemen* I mv. 8. Leamington, v. Leamington* V ® 11. Sidestrand, v. Sidestrand* I lou r* 13. Gunton Park, v. Gunton* 16. Overstrand, v. Overstrand* J * Two-day matches.