Cricket 1903

CRICKET, JULY 9, 1903. “ T oge th e r joined in C r ick e t ’ s m an ly t o i l .” — Byron. ho. 0 3 6 . t o i . x x i i . THUESDAY, JULY 9 , 1 9 0 3 . p k io h ad. CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. MR. CHARLES ROBSON. For bo many years Mr. Robson has been a member of the Hampshire eleven, and so often (particularly when t he side has been exceedingly weak) has acted "S captain, that it seems strange to see the team in the field without him. But although he is still in splendid condition, and as capable of making runs and keeping wicket as ever, he felt that the time had come when a younger man might be called upon to take his place, and there­ fore he determined to stand out. Hampshire owes much to him, for in addition to his value as a wicket-keeper and a batsman who often knocked up a very useful score when it was most wanted, he had the arduous and thankless task of lead­ ing the eleven during the weary times when most of the best men were away, and when the bowling at his disposal was almost ludicrously inefficient. But his unfailing good nature carried him through tri­ umphantly, and often by a stroke of genius he utilised an inferior bowler at the right time. As is always the case with the captain of a losing side, he often came in for criticism, and received much advice as to what he ought to do with his few bowlers, but he had the satisfaction of knowing that the teams opposed to him realised that he did the best possible with the material at his disposal. Let us hope that although he has resigned the captaincy he will ■till sometimes be found in the team, for although it is good to give the rising generation opportunities of playing, the efficient help of a veteran is often a splendid thing for a side. As a captain who has had a great many old publio school boys pass through his hands, Mr. Robson has strong opinions on the subject of teaching cricket at schools. “ I cannot help thinking that the system in vogue is altogether wrong,” he said. “ You find that batsmen are turned out in a groove without having any attention paid to their individual good points. As to bawling, there is no attempt made to teach it. Can you tell me a single amateur who has been taught how to bowl even in the most elementary manner. Does any amateur ever praotise bowling ? If much more attention were paid to bowling at public schools I am convinced that it would be ever so much better for the game and for the boys themselves, both in the future and while they are at school. They would enjoy the game much more, would have fa better chances of playing in county teams, and would feel that they are really doing something towards winning a match besides making runs occasionally. Of course there are what may be called natural bowlers, who can never learn, but they are the exception, and gener­ ally they are professionals. I remember a famous all-round oricketer once saying to me that a professional cricketer who was then coming into notice would be a magnificent bowler when he had learned something. I replied that in this particular case I felt sure that when the bowler had learned something he would be no good at all. He still plays for his county, but only as about third change, and he hardly ever gets a wicket. He has lost his natural ability because he has learned some tricks and stratagems.” “ What is your opinion on the subject of standing up to very fast bowling ? ” “ I don’t believe it is sensible to do so, and many a match is lost by it. I remember that when we were playing Somerset in 1901 at Taunton, Gill, who was bowling very fast, gave me a half-volley off the wicket. I hit the ball hard, and Wickham, who was standing up, brought off a brilliant catch. I said to him afterwards, ‘ That was a marvellous catch, but it cost you the game.’ And I was right, for he was so pleased that he continued to stand up to the fast bowling, and missed catches at impor­ tant times. I consider the Taunton ground to be the best in England, and I believe that the wickets there would wear longer than those on any other ground.” Speaking on the subject of appealing, Mr. Robson said, “ I remember that once when Bob Thoms was umpire I played a ball to second slip. I didn’t MR. OH ARLIS ROBSON. (From a photo by R. Hawkins A Co., Rrighton).