Cricket 1903

A p r il 23, 1903. CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. 91 Pacific steamer “ Oroya.” If this is cor­ rect, that vessel was at Colombo on the 17th, and all being well should be at Port Said early next week, and at Naples some four days later. U n d e r the heading of “ Ultimate Ambitions,” an amusing jeu d’esprit upon a telegram announcing that President Roosevelt’s ambition is to become Presi­ dent o f Harvard in 1909, Punch has the follow ing:— It is commonly asserted in the Salons of Simla that when Lord Curzon resigns the reins of Viceregal office, he hopes to be asked to succeed Prince Ranjitsinhji as Captain of the Sussex County Cricket Club. In an interview with a representative of the Musical Times, Mr. Robert Thoms, who might be called the Santley of umpires, in­ advertently betrayed the secret that Mr. W . 6 . Grace’s darling project, on finally abandon­ ing the willow, is to take up the baton of Mr. August Manns as chief musical director of the Crystal Palace. M r . C. E. G reen , the well-known old Essex and Cambridge University cricketer, resigned the Field Mastership of the Essex hounds a short time ago, but on the urgent appeal of the Hunt he has consented to continue to hold the office, with Mr. Bowlby, the owner of the hounds, as coadjutor. O v e r and over again the Postal Authorities have gained great glory by the cleverness which they have shown in promptly forwarding letters of which the address was wrong. But there is a reverse side to this. A day or two ago a letter was sent to Mr. K. J. Key addressed to his former residence in Nevern Square. Now Mr. Key is about as well- known as any man in England, with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. Chamber- lain and Dr. W. G. Grace, but the letter was returned “ not known.” A reference to the first small boy met in the street would have given the necessary clue, and the letter would have been forwarded to the Oval, and thence to its proper destination. T hough better known as a legislator in Rugby Union football, the late E. S. Whalley was too keen an all-round sports­ man nottointerest himself in everything re­ lating to outdoor sports. His devotion to the Rugby Union and everything apper­ taining to it was remarkable, and, even if thelong journeys hetook all over the king­ dom this last winter, as a member of the selection committee, didno actual damage, the strain and anxiety consequent on the heavy travelling he had just at one period of the season must have affected his health to some extent. A wet as well as a dry bob at Cambridge, in his later years he was a keen follower of cricket and cricketers, as I can testify of my own personal knowledge. T his is how B. Jayaram, the Hindu cricketer who played for the London County C.C. at the Oval last week, appeared to Cecil Headlam when playing 8gainst him in India in the eirly days of the Oxford Authentics’ tour :— Jayaram’s method is entirely different. He is very quick on his feet—too quick, per­ haps—and gives you the impression that he is too anxious to score. He has got, as the Americans say, a bustle on him, anyway. A quick eye and. quick feet enable him to j ump out, change his mind in the middle of a stroke, and jump back. But this habit leads to many dangerous and scratchy shots, and it involves a liability to be stumped (as actually happened to him in the first innings). This exceeding nimbleness of his gives him fine opportunities of making good drives and bril­ liant forcing strokes past extra-cover, but it must unsettle him for cutting and for playing a ball that gets up quickly, and it involves a liability to be caught at the wicket (as indeed actually happened to him in the second innings—but that is another story !) Y o ung cricketers take themselves too seriously at times here as elsewhere. But it is to be hoped that they do not take it so intensely as two clubs mentioned by the Sydney Referee last month. The match was between the Young True Britons and the Coburg Clubs, who were playing for second honours in the North­ ern District Competition. This is what happened :— Towards the end of the game the True Britons rushed the ground amid cries of “ Deal it ou t! ” In a moment bats, stumps, sticks, and even crutches were flourished in the air, and a general melee was the result. At this j uncture the True Britons were rein­ forced by another Brunswick club. The police arrived upon the scene, and the ring­ leaders beat a retreat, leaving Albert Jackson, of the Coburg Club severely maltreated. Co­ burg pursued one of the ringleaders, and after an exciting chase over quarry holes, &c., landed their game in Nicholson Street, and handed him over to a constable on a charge of assault. SPRING. (With all due deference to Lord Tennyson’s opinions.) Writing about the time when winter dies, A poet once remarked that April skies See young men’s thoughts appear in amorous guise. But now, I hope that these degenerate days Have changed the rising generation’s ways, And that, in spring, on better things they gaze. While the sun shines bring forth your hats, your pair Of leg guards, and your ball, and never dare To think of Chloe’ s eyes as passing fair. But banish all such thoughts as these as treason (That is, if you are not bereft of reason), And drink to the forthcoming cricket season. S. L. S. The Editor regrets that the pressure of scores during the summer only allows him to guaranteeinsertion of scores of clubs arranging for publication of all their matches. A charge of Is. a match, with a minimum of 21s., is made for the insertion of scores. Odd scores are inserted at 2s. each if space permits. Scores must reach “ Cricket ” Offices, 168, Upper Thames Street, E.C., by first post on Tuesday following the match. T H E M E T R O P O L IT A N C LU B S IN 1903. With Mr. G. G. Dumbleton as honorary1 secretary, and Mr. Howard Williams as captain, the A rkley C.C. may look forward to another successful season. A pretty strong eleven will be required for the “ week,” since among the clubs opposed are the M.C.C., Kensington Park, Hampstead and Southgate. Practically all the chief clubs within a dozen miles of Barnet are on the list of fixtures. MAY. 2. Arkley, v. Barnet 9. Hatfield. ▼. Hatfield 16. Harpenden, v. Harpenden 20, Stanmore, v. Stanmore Park 23. Arkley, v. Finchley £0. Arkley, v. West Herts JUNE. 1. Mill Hill, v. Mill Hill School 6. Radlett, v. Radlett 13. Arkley, v. U.C.8. Old Boys 20. Arkley, v. Hornsey 22. Arkley, v. Kensington Park 23. Arkley, v. M.C.C. 24. Arkley, v. Southgate \ 25. Arkley, v. Mr. 8. Claris' X I. j Home Week. 26. Arkley, v. Atheniins 27. Arkley, y. Hampstead JULY. 4. Crouch End, v. Crouch End 8. Hampstead, v. Hampstead 11. Watford, v. West Herts. 18. Arkley, v. Bushey 25. St. Albans, v. Herts. Club and Ground AUGUST. 1. Bushey, y. Bushey 3. Arkley, v. West Hampstead 5. Finchley, v. Finchley 8. Arkley, v. Radlett 16. Arkley, v. Herts, Club and Ground 20. Hertford, v. Hertford 22. Barnet, v. Barnet 29. Arkley, v. Hatfield Of the seven matches played by the A r t is t s ’ C.C. last year, they won five and lost two. Thirty-five Artists (painters and sculptors) took part in the various matches. The honorary secre­ tary, to whose untiring efforts the club is chiefly indebted for its efficiency and high standing, is Mr. G. Hillyard Swin- stead, Atelier, Kildergrove Avenue, West Hampstead; the highly popular president is Mr. E. A. Abbey, R .A .; and the honorary treasurer is Mr. A. Chevalier Tayler. As our readers know, the list of members includes many of the greatest artists of the day, several of whom are really good cricketers. The list of fix­ tures for this year, 1903, is not yet printed, but it is as follows :— APRIL. 29. Richmond, Varnishing Day Match MAY. 5. Richmond, R.A. Opening Match v. The Chelsea Arts Club 15. Richmond, v. Benson Athletic Club (F. R. Benson’s XI.) 22. Esher, v. Authors’ (E. W . Horning's XI.) JUNE. 6. Moor Hall, v. Moor Hall 12. Bickley Park, v. Musicians (R. Kennerley Rum* ford’s XI.) 18. Richmond, v. Allahakbarrie iJ. M. Barrie’s XI.) JULY. 1. Stanmore, v. The Clergy (Canon Greatorex’aXI.)