Cricket 1909

CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF T H E GAME. JULY 15. 1909. No. 816. vo l . xxv i i i . THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1909. ' one penny . CHATS ON THE CRICKET F IELD . M e . E. W. DILLON. During the last few decades Kent has possessed a succession of capital left-handed bowlers in Willsher, Wootton, G. G. Hearne, Wright, Martin, Blythe and Woolley, but left-handed batsmen of the front rank have been rare. Indeed, if the whole history of Kent cricket, extending over almost two centuries, be re­ viewed the names of only Aylward, Richard Mills, Felix, George Hearne, Willsher, Mr. D illon and W oolley come readily to mind. One may say, without much fear of contra­ diction, that no more brilliant amateur left-handed batsmen have appeared for Kent than Messrs. Felix and Dillon. Each was a Surrey man by birth, and although the former played occasionally for his native county, his name will, like that of the latter, always be in­ separably connected with Kent cricket. Felix shared with Caffyn the distinction of being the best off-hitter of his day : Mr. Dillon, on the other hand, excels most on the leg-side and in on-driving. The younger man has followed in the foot­ steps of his great predecessor by gaining note for his activity in the field, and by being picked for the Gentlemen against the Players. It has been recorded of Mr. Felix that, after play­ ing cricket all day in the Can­ terbury Week, he has been known to play the violin in the orchestra, at the theatre and also dance a pas de <iew.rwith one of the Old Stagers; Mr. Dillon has not yet succeeded in emulating this feat, but as, fortunately for Kent, he is still light in years and light of heart there would seem to be no good reason why he should not do so at some future date. During the ten years that Mr. Dillon has been before the public he has had more ex­ perience of the game than generally falls to the lot of a first-class cricketer. It was during his last year at Rugby that he made his debut in a match of note, and he marked the occasion by playingathree-figure innings. The same season he appeared for Kent and in the following year obtained his Blue at Oxford as a Freshman. As already stated, he has been chosen for Gentlemen against Players, and although he has not yet caught the eye of the Selection Committee for Test matches it would come as a surprise to very few people if he succeeded in doing so at an early date. His cricket, as most of those who follow the game closely are aware, has not been restricted to England, for in 1902 he visited the West Indies as a member of Mr. Bosanquet's team and a year later accompanied the Kent Eleven to America. He has also gained high honours at Rugby Football, having repre­ sented England against Wales, Ireland and Scotland. “ Did you receive any coach­ ing before going to Rugby ? ” 1 ‘ Whilstat the Abbey School, Beckenham, I gained an in­ sight into the game, thanks to Mr. G. F. Gulliver, one of the masters, who was always wil­ ling to devote a considerable part of his spare time to encouraging and assisting the boys at the nets. We had a good practice bowler and coach in Jones, better known perhaps on account of his association with the Tottenham Hotspur football team, who afterwards left and became under-pro­ fessional at Rugby. George Crosdale, of Hampstead, was with me at Beckenham: he has played once or twice for Middlesex, I believe. Mason was there before my time, and C. S. Hurst and Prest, both of whom took part in this year’s University match, after.” “ Were you successful in getting into the Eleven in your first year at Rugby ? ” “ I was not, but I played in one match for the School— against Liverpool—that season. It was not until my third year, 1898, that I obtained my colours. Altogether, I was in the Eleven for three seasons, and was captain the last two. Old Tom Emmett was engaged there all the year round: he was there for about two years altogether, I think. He liked to bowl up a ball to the boys on the off-side, when he would sing out cheerily 1Coom aht! ’ It has never been quite clear to MR. EDWARD WENTWORTH DILLON. Photoby] [Haickins &Co., Brighton