Cricket 1905

30 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. F e 9. 23, 1905. we possess an immense system reaching from National Test Matches, first and spcond-class County Cricket, all the way down to the embryonic “ all against all ” —all of them existing, as in the case of every organism, at the Fame moment in recognised company through all the separate stages of that development. And not only has cricket itself evolved in this manner, but, as I have previously touched upon, each of its separate parts — each of what I may call its genera or sub species—has equally evolved : the bat, ball, wickets, clothes and head-gear of the player, as illustrated in the “ Anrals of Cricket ” ; each has continued on till now when the batsman and wicket-keeper issue from the pavilion they are, as far as lies in their power, adapted to the main requirements of their respective positions, armed “ cap-a-pie ” like the knights of old for all the offices required of them. So in this, as in every part of an organism, the player has more and more adapted himself to the exigencies of outtide cir­ cumstances. Again, it is interesting to note the rise of cricket within the last two hundred years in the estimation of the well-to-do, for even so short a while ago as the beginning c f the eighteenth cen­ tury cricketers were regarded somewhat on a level with “ gamesters and jockeys,” and England’s jeunesse doree were much condemned for taking a liking towards it. It was a game played by the bour­ geoisie, or rather, I should say, the lower classes, and it was not until some years afterwards that it became truly fashionable, when a writer in the Gentle­ man's Magazine, recognising it as a “ very innocent and wholesome exercise,” was broad-minded enough to declare that “ noblemen, gentlemen and clergymen have certainly a right to divert them­ selves in what manner they think fit ” ; and again he continues: “ Nor do I dis­ pute their privi'ege of making butchers, cobblers, or tinkers their companions, provided these are qualified to keep them company.” Doubtless about this time a somewhat severe moral revolution in the conception of tie great game took place, and from about that date onwards w have every good reason to believe that i was more and more publicly patronised and highly estimated by the nob lity, until now, progressing without abate­ ment in the annals of our country, it has come down to us as a sine qua non of the Englishman’s education, and the summum bonum. of healthy and invigorating en­ joyment. What more can we say ? We can admire how it has spread, and is con­ tinuing, like every healthy organism, to spread, throughout the world, for now the most primitive Hottentot or Pata­ gonian, and the most up-to-date M.P. or country clergyman — each derives pleasure and amusement from the game, and no longer can it be said that wherever the Englishman goes there alone must the game be played, for now, without his presence even, it is indulged in in Prance, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Hol­ land, Japan, and the United States—in fact, we may say, everywhere! If this, in itself, is not conclusive evidence of the evolution of cricket I know no better. Add to this its extreme heterogeneity— as I have shown in its many parts—as distinct from its original homogeneity (if I may be again permitted these two long and scientific words), combine with this its still growing popularity, its immense crowd of onlookers, its neat and picturesque ensemble, its adaptation to all surroundings, and its existence as advan­ tageous in providing exercise and hardi­ ness to the nation ( tant mieux for those indulging in i t !)—thus aiding towards the survival of the fittest upon earth; add to all this, I say, its history, which like that of all cosmic matter is stamped with the hall-mark of respectable obli­ vion, and we have every ground for recognising again that great law—first whispered by Yon Baer, then told of by Darwin, and latterly proclaimed to all the world by Spencer—holding good in the growth of our National Game, and thus forming but another link in that vast chain of world-wide progress, and of what we consider to be a continued state of undeniable evolution. J u l ia n K in q st e a d . CU R R IE CUP TOURNAMENT . IRANSVAAL v. GRIQUALAND WEVT. Played at Johannesburg on December 30 &31. Transvaal won by an innings and 67runs. This match was in the Second Round of the Tournament. T ransvaal . I j . J.Tancred, b Webb 110 R. O. Scharz, b Webb 21 J. H. Sinclair, b Webb (i J..7. Slatem, c H.I)race, b Webb .................21 G. H. Shepstone, c W. Dnice, b Verheyen W. H. Malraison, c W. Prace, b Verheyen 28 GltTQUALAN First innings. B, Powell, b Sinclair........ P. Eland, c Rose, b Sinclair T. Raaff,c Walshe.b Sinclair Irvine Washington, b Schwarz ........................ S. Webb, c Wallach, b Schwarz ........................ G. Afaritz, run out .......... G. Verheyen, c Tancred, b Sinclair ....................... W. Dickens, b Schwarz ... W. Druce, c Sinclair, b Schwarz ........................ E. Soloman, not out .......... H. Dnice, st Wallach, b Sinclair ... ................. Extras ............... Total................. A. Rose, b Webb ...?10 A. Walshe, b Web!) 1 A. E. Vogler, b Webb 26 W. .Hazlehurst, c Solo­ man. b Powell ... 19 I). Wallach, not out... 1 Extras.................17 Total .269 n W est . Second innings. 9 b Sinclair ... 7 ■10 ran out 0 • 0 b Sclnvarz ... 0 st Wallach, b If. Schwarz ... 61 4 b Rose......... 11 11 b Schwarz ... 8 1 b Sinclair ... o 0 c Wallach, b Sinclair ... . 9 2 b Hazelhurst 3 0 c Schwarz, ii Sinclair ... . 37 0 not out.............. 0 1 Extras... , 11 50 Total... ...152 M T I V B G U M O . IJEST and CHEAPEST MANURE for LAWN8, u CRICKET and TENNIS GROUNDS and all Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers. Price, £ 3 10s. per ton in bags; ‘2 ton lota carriage paid. Lots under 10 cwt., 4 /- per cwt. at works. A 1 cwt. bag sent carriage paid to any station in England on receipt of P.O. for 5/-. Extracts from recent reports : W. A. WOOF, Member M.C.C. Staff, Glo’uterCounty XI., an i now Cricket Coach, Cheltenham College. October lsf, 9 4.—" I have great pleasure ia strongly reromm^ndiog your noted “ Native Guano.” For cri ket grounds, tennis ourtH. bowling greens, it has no »qml. I have used it for years on Cheltenham f'olletfe Grmnda with splendid results.” C. Kidman (Cheltenham)—“ A great success on cricket and tennis lawns. E. Bradshaw (Bolsover) — “ I can recommend it highly for cricket grounds and general garden crops.” Orders to the Native Ouano Co., Ltd., 29, New Bridge Street, London, E.C., where Testimonials, &c. may be obtained. Agents wanted. H. GRADIDGE & SONS, Woolwich. MANUFACTURERS OF ALL ARTICLES FOR CRICKET, RACQUET, LAWN TENNIS, FOOTBALL, AND OTHER BRITISH SPORTS. PATENTEES AND SOLE MAKERS OF THE CELEBRATED IMPER IAL DRIVER” BATS. coh*a CO? - n 2 Patent USED BY ALL THE LEADING BATSMEN OF THE DAY. To be obtained of all First-Class Outfitters or the Makers. Only Address: FACTORY, ARTILLERY PLACE, WOOLWICH, S.E.