Cricket 1909

CRICKET/ A W E E KLY RECO RD O F T H E GAM E. MARC H 25, 1909. “ Together joined in CricKet’s manly toil.”— Byron . N o . 802 . v o l . xxvni. THURSDAY , MARCH 25, 1909. o n e p e n n y . CHATS ON THE CRICKET FIELD. M r. G. C. LEARMOND. It is not too much to say that during the past ten or twelve years there has been no more consistent run-getter in the West Indies than Mr. George Cyril Learmond. Unfortunately upon each of his visits to England he quite failed to show his true form, and, in consequence, followers of the game in this country have been heavy loser?, for at his best he is a most attractive batsman, being a fine cutter and partial to the pull as well as a powerful driver and a fast scorer when set. He is, moreover, a fine outfield and useful wicket­ keeper and occasionally breaks up a partnership when better bowlers than himself have failed. Mr. Learmond was born at Demerara on July 4th, 1875, but learnt his cricket at Com- bermere School in Barbados. Reference to the local news­ papers shows that whilst still quite young he was a batsman of more than usual promise, and that upon leaving school he joined the Spartan C.C., for which he played for several seasons. It was in February, 1895, that he first came into note. Chosen to play for Barbados against Mr. R. S. Lucas’ team, he opened the innings with G.Y.B. Cox and before the first wicket fell 157 runs were made. Learmond scored 86 and Cox 68, the innings realised 517 and—Mr. Lucas’ team won by 25 runs. It was a remarkable game, and bore a striking resemblance to the Photo by] Test match played in Sydney a few weeks earlier between England and Australia, in which the latter, after making 586, were beaten by 10 runs. In each case the English team followed-on over 200 behind, and, assisted by the weather, pulled off the game. The stand 9* 157 for the first wicket and the total of 517 established fresh records for Barbados. Mr. Learmond was not destined to represent the Island on many occasions, as in 1896 he returned to Demerara, where, as a member of the well-known Georgetown C.C., he headed the batting averages of the entire Colony three years in succession. His form was so good, both in Inter-Colonial and other representative matches, that he thoroughly deserved the distinction which [ Thiele, MR. G. C. LEARMOND. fell to his lot of being one of the first players chosen to accompany the West Indian team to England in 1900. As already stated, he proved disappointing in batting, but that his falling-off was but temporary he plainly showed when, upon settling in Trinidad when the siJe returned home, he scored 95, 125, 111 not out, and 81 in his first four innings. Since that time he has proved a prolific run-getter for the Queen’s Park C.C., but, curiously enough, he failed again when he came to England three years ago. For his club during the season of 1907-8 he averaged 98 in Cup matches and 81 33 in all games, besides securing the largest number of wickets for the club at a cost of slightly over 10 runs each. During the last fifteen years Mr. Learmond, in addition to making a couple of trips to this country, has p’ayed for Barbados, Demerara, and Trinidad agaiust English teams as well as in Inter­ colonial matches, and has done much for the game in the West Indies. Trinidad especially has benefited by his experience, one of the most noteworthy improve­ ments effected by him being the introduction of matting in Port-of-Spain. At billiards, cycling, and tennis he has also gained distinction, and at one time, when a member of the Demerara Artillery, was considered a good shot. He is now a Trooper in the Trinidad Light Horse. “ Who gave you your first lessons in cricket ? ” “ My cricket is practically self-taught, as in the case of nearly every West Indian cricketer. There are no pros out here of the class you get in England—that is, those capable of coaching — ours being pros only through the fact of being our ground and practice bowlers. Only a few, and very few too, of our men of prominence learnt the game as boys at school in England. Now and then we get an English master for our London. Colleges here who helps us somewhat, and especially has this been so in the case of Mr. A. Somers Cocks, who has represented Barbados on many occasions, and of Mr. A. M. Low, of Trinidad. Our boys now and then get hints from the older players, but there is no such thing as systematic coaching. Up to now there have been less than half a-dozen coaches from England who have had engagements in the West