Cricket 1909

CRICKET : a w e e k ly r e c o r d o f t h e sam e . SEPTEMBER 16, 1909. No. 825. v o l . xxviii. T H U R S D A Y , S E P T E M B E R 1G , 1 9 0 9 . o n e p e nny . A CHAT ABOUT MR. J. R. MASON. Although he is seen in first-class matches far less frequently than one would wish, Mr. Mason occupies a very prominent position among present-day cricketers. His skill is sufficient to justify his inclusion in any side for which he could be picked, whilst his popularity, not only on Kent grounds, but wherever he happens to be playing, is proverbial. The public like to see Gentlemen players, especially old Public School men, taking part in the best matches of the day, for their presence, besides ensur­ ing bright cricket, is a guar­ antee of the game being played in the true sporting spirit. And Mr. Mason, as one would naturally expect of an old Wykehamist captain, has ever been ready and willing to assist in maintaining the best traditions of the game. Gentlemen players of such ab lity and sterling worth are all too rare, and when one does come to the front it is as likely as not that the claims of business, as is the case with Mr. Mason, w ill prevent his frequent participa­ tion in the game. It is very sad that such cricketers should be unable to play regularly, for the presence of the Gen­ tleman player in what is termed first-class cricket has never been more desirable or more necessary than it is to­ day. And the influence that men of the stamp of Mr. Mason has over those with whom they associate is wholly for good. Such a man, whilst always striving for victory, would scorn to win by the employment of tactics which were not wholly above sus­ picion. To the subject of these remarks the words that old John Nyren wrote of David Harris seem very applicable :— “ He was one of the rare species that lin k man to man in bonds of fellowship by good works; that inspire confidence, and prevent the structure of society from becoming disjointed, and ‘ as it were, a bowing wall, on a tottering fence.’ He was a man of so strict a princip’.e, and such high honour, that I believe his moral character was never impeached. I never heard even a suspicion breathed against his integrity.” If M r Mason had been able to devote the whole of his time to cricket it is more than likely that the history of the game during recent years would have been very different. H is regular presence in the Kent Eleven would have made a side already strong practically irresistible, whilst his place in the English team would have been assured. It is interesting, though futile, to speculate what effect his participation in this year’s Test-matches would have had upon the re­ sult of the rubber. One can only say that his presence would have increased the all­ round strength of the team and have supplied the side with a captain who is always alive toevery move in the game. H is batting alone wo ild have justified him being picked for the matches, for he is unquestionably the finest batsman ever turned out by Winches­ ter. It was in 1890, when sixteen years of age, that he obtained a place in the College Eleveu. He did little in that or the following season to foreshadow his future great­ ness, and his very marked advance in 1892 accordingly came quite as a surprise. Concerning his form of 1891 it was s a id : - “ Can play a,, good innings when the bowl­ ing is not too fast” : his average that season was only 16*66. During the next year he developed iuto one of the best batsmen any Public School has ever possessed. H is great triumph was in the match with Eton, in which he scored 147 and 71 and took eight wickets. H is batting average that yrar, without a single not out to help him, was just under 49 an innings, and he also took forty eight wickets at reasonable cost. L illy w h ite summed up his play thus: — “ Has had a marvellously successful sea­ son, both with bat and ball; his innings against Eton speak for themselves, and showed how carefully he always watched the ball from the pitch ; he is far and away the best bowler in the eleven, and in addition to this he is an excellent field ; w ill be captain next year.” The season of 1893 was another of great personal triumph for him, his record showing 719 runs with an average of 55’30 and forty-five wickets at a cost of 16 57 runs each. Again he carried off the honours of the Eton match, and the following tribute paid to his work at the end of the season was fully deserved :— “ A magnificent school bat, and already a first-class cricketer, as his performances in County Cricket showed, scoring freely all round the wicket, and M U . JOIIN R IC H A RD M ASON. Photo by\ [Ilaickins <fc Co., Brighton.