Cricket 1907

C R I C K E T i A WEEKLY RECORD OF TH E SAME. S E P T . 12, 1907. “ Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. Ho. 7 6 5 . V O l. X X V I. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1907. PR ICE 2d CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. MR. V . F. S. CR.VWFORD. Fashions alter in cricket as in less important matters, for, whereas lovers of the game two generations ago were con­ tent to see quiet and correct play, the modern enthusiast deems nothing can equal an innings made up of a succession of mighty strokes. The carefully pre­ pared and well - tended wickets of recent years have had much to do with the change, and, with modern bats driving more than the old ones, it is not surprising that during the last decade batsmen have scored far more heavily, and obtained their runs at a much more rapid rate than did their predecessors. One of the best examples of modern - day quick e carers and big hitters is Mr. V . F. S. Orawford, who has played many a vigorous innings for both Surrey and Leicestershire. No doubt he inherited much skill from his father, who was a very good cricketer in his day, and who, having got his eye in whilst play­ ing right-handed, has been known, when the bow ling and fielding have become loose or demoralised, to change over and flog the attack whilst batting left- handed. But the whole family— and there are four generations— are devoted to cricket. “ The Parson’s ” father was no mean per­ former in his younger days, and even now, when in his eighty-third year, yields to none in enthusiasm for the game. His reminiscences go back to the days when William Clarke perambulated the country at the head of his famous Eleven, and to the time when old Lillywhite was still a power in the land. Two of his sons, the Rev. J. C. and the late Major P. P., were in the Kent X I . ; three grandsons, y . P. S., R. T., and J. N., have made their mark in County cricket d u r iD g the past decade; and a great-grandson, who will probably play one day for Hamp­ shire, has shown signs of distinct aptitude for the game. Furthermore, the ladies of the family are no w h it less keen than any of those mentioned, and one of them, as her grandfather is fond of rec illing, once made 106 not out for Woodman- MR. V. F. S. CRAWFORD. (Photo by J . Ramsden, Leicester). sterne v. Caterham. It was on the ground attached to the Asylutn at Cane H ill, where the Rev. J. C. Orawford is chaplain, that V . F. S., R. T., and J. N. learnt the rudiments of the game. The cricket-field is one of the oldest natural grass lands in existence, for it is to be found mentioned in the Surrey Doomsday B ok. The ground is 475 feet above sea-level, and one of the prettiest within easy reach of London. The wickets are invariably good, and visiting teams are always sure of a warm welcome—oricketically and otherwise. The doings of the brothers, and of V. F. S. especially, at one time tended to make even strong sides chary of pliyin g there. It beoame monotonous to continue going to have your bowling hit all over, and out of, the ground, and then be bundled out for a small score. In 1898 Y. F. S. scored 83, 91, 300, and 221 there in consecutive innings, and when, which seldom happened, he was not making runs, he gener­ ally made amends by obtain­ ing more than his fair share of wickets. Asked where it was that he learnt the game, Mr. Crawford replied:— “ I was quite a very small boy when our family settled at Cane H ill, and it was there that I gained my first knowledge of cricket. My grandfather, father, and uncle were all devoted to the game, aud encouraged me in my efforts to do well. Mv very first match was in 1888, for Cane H ill against St. Thomas’ Hospital, when I was nine years of age; before an admiring circle of relations of three generations I scor* d 10. After that I got a lot of practice, but it was not until 1891 that I took part in many matches. That year I obtained a place in the tecocd eleven of Whit­ gift Grammar School, and in the follow ing season was promoted to the first. It was in 1892 that I made my first three-figure score, and although I have been fortunate enough to make some more since, I don’ t think any has caused me to experience quite such a thrill of pleasure as that 166 not out in a Form match. Twelve months later I was accorded a trial for the Surrey Colts and for the Y oung Amateurs against the Y oung Professionals at the Oval. In the