Cricket 1910

45 ° CRICKET A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. Nov. 24, 1910. “ Yes. I played in two charity matches in Scotland, which started at G.15 in the even­ ing and went on to 9.15. It may seem a funny experience to an Australian, but the light was quite good. It is the twilight of the Old Country, which we practically do not know out here.” “ In Edinburgh the Australasian Club, composed of Australians and New Zea­ landers at the University, played the South African Club, and I made 100. But in another match against a local team I hud a different experience—much more amusing in its way, because a lot was expected of me. The batsmen hit me about, one man landirg a ball clean out of tbe ground, and when I batted a shooter sent me back without scoring. They enjoyed it—and so did I.” “ J. B. King, of Philadelphia, is one of finest cricketers I have ever met,” said Dr, Hordern, who has seen the world’s bfst. “ He is a first-class bat, but it is his bowling that stands out. It embraces all kinds of bowling—that is, he is several very good bowlers in one man. His stock ball is a fast medium one with variations, from very fast to slow-medium. He started as a fast bowler pure and simple, but I did not see him in tho?e days. He in-swerves with every pace, and will do it all day, and more with a new ball, but always with any ball. Though a right hander, he swerves like George Hirst into a right-hand batsman, and is very accurate, keeping on the spot all day. His is a sharp curve, the ball turning quickly in the last yard or two. King is really an extra­ ordinary bowler, and worth a place in any team in the world. He places the field in a peculiar manner, with four men close up to the batsman. Short square-leg is about three yards from the batsman, fine leg about four or five yards back, mid-on close in, and a man like a silly mid-on, about 6ft. away. At short square-leg I secured 16 catches off him in the English tour. His accuracy makes this extraordinary placing possible without any unusual danger* He bowls the swerve—curve, they call it in America—with a beautiful delivery. With a wonderfully easy action his hand end arm pass high over his head to the left. It is an ideal bowling action.” “ Is there not a strain in such a de­ livery ? ” *•I suppose there must be a certain amount of strain on account of the in­ swerve, but the delivery does not give you an impression of that sort; it is so natural and easy. Nearly every bowler in America is able to make the ball curve, but few in­ curve, unless, of course, left-hand.” The type of bowler for an Australian Eleven, I suggested. Another Spofforth to make fresh history. “ Well, I consider him good enough for any eleven in the world, for he is a wonder­ ful bowler, and first-class with the bat and in the field. A. M. Wood is possibly the most dependable bat in America. Percy Clarke, C. C. Morris, F. S. White, and P. N. Le Roy are also very fine cricketers. Dr. Lester has gone off somewhat.” “ The wicket-keepers of Philadelphia are splendid. Jordan is absolutely first-class. The way he takes J. B. King on the leg side is wonderful. C. H. Winter, the other wicket-keeper, is only about 20 years old, and still at the University. Both are so good that if there are two representative matches they would play one in one match and one in the other. Both are highly thought of in England.” Asked if there is any likelihood of an American team visiting Australia, Dr. Hordern said: “ I should think not. It is a very lengthy journey, and, as I say, they play the game merely as a recreation. It is surprising, however, how good cricket is there, consider­ ing the comparatively few men who play. It is explained by the fact of their being very keen about it. It is only a certain class which plays, and the other people do not know much about it. One day, after I had practised, a man came along and said, ‘ Would you mind letting me have a look at that club you are using ? ’ That was his name for the bat; and a great many, like him, do not know anything about cricket. There were only 26 who played cricket out of 5,000 students among the candidates for that Pennsylvania team to England. And look at the record they had ! It shows you how keen are those who do p’ ay.” “ Is Canadian cricket flourishing too?” “ Ye£ At Toronto and Montreal the grounds are quite good, though nothing like Philadelphian grounds, of course. They have some very good cricketers there, too.” “ And you have encountered some of the South Africans?” “ Yes, I played against R. O. Schwarz in 1907 when he did so well. He bowled only the off-break, with, of course, the leg-break action, but he made the ball come off the pitch at an extraordinary pace. It was the secret of his remarkable successes. Indeed, he had two different paces off the pitch, and could regulate it by using different finger spin. I have never seen a bowler make more pace from the pitch than Schwarz.” Dr. Hordern beamed with enthusiasm as he referred to another South African: “ Yogler is the best bowler of the slow- medium type I have ever seen anywhere. He bowls the slow leg-break, the off-break, the fast ball with a swerve, and the googlie, and he mixes in all these varieties cleverly. Australians will be interested in Vogler’s bowling.” Had he met Dr. W. G. Grace recently in England? “ Yes; about three months ago, near Ealing. I played in a match with ' Old W. G.’ He made 48 in absolutely first class st\le, and, though he is 62 years old, I believe he would have been batting still only he had to get out to catch a train. W. G. is still a wonder.” “ One of the finest men I ever met in cricket is George Beldham, the joint author with C B. Fiy of those unique books, ‘ Great Batsmen ’ and ‘ Great Bowlers.’ He has a cricket pitch of his own, and, need­ less to siy, has a rare fondnesi for the game.” “ In 1908 I saw Alan Marshal,” said Dr. Hordern. “ It was his great year. His batting was absolutely magnificent, espe­ cially his off and on driving. I never saw a min hit harder on the off-side, but, of course, I never saw Bounor, Massie, or McDonnell, though I do remember Lyons.” t s O Y A L B A . n R E I D ’ S O V A L . W H I T E . The celebrated preparation for cleaning Cricket and all Buff Leather Qoods, Warranted not to rub off or cake. As n*ed at Ken nington Oval, and highly recommended by K 8 R&njitsinhji, Dr. W . G. Gra^e, O. B. Fry, Lord Dalmeny, Australian XI., 1905, G. L. Jeesop, Ac., Ac. P a c k e d in z in c bo xe s, 6d. p e r box . J. J. REID, 378, Kennington Rd., London. THE BOARD OF CONTROL. A m'eeting of the Board of Control for Test Matches wns hel I at the Junior Carlton Club on the afternoon of the 7th inst. Lord Londesborough (President of the M.C.C.) was in the chair, and among those present were Lord Alverstone, Lord Harris, the Earl of Lichfield, Mr. H. E. Murray-Anderdon and Mr. H. D. G. Leveson-Gower (M.C.C.), Mr. E. W. Dilion (Kent), Mr. J. Shuter (Surrey), Lord Hawke (Yorkshire), Mr. P. F. Warner (Middlesex), Mr. W. E. Denison (Notts), Mr. C. Marriott (Leicestershire), Dr. Russell Bencraft (Hampshire), Mr. P. J de Paravicini and Mr. F. E. Lacey (Secretary, M.C.C.). In view of the Test matches with Australia and South Africa in 1912, it was arranged to play three trial games next season between teams of Probables and Possibles —one at Lord’s, one in Yorkshire, and one in Lanca­ shire. It was also agreed that the Gentlemen v. Players’ matches at Lord’s and the Oval next season should be regarded as trial matches, and that the proceeds of them should go into the general Test match pool. The proportions for distribution, however, will be somewhat different from those in Test matches. It is pleasant to know that the task of getting together the best possible England eleveti for the Test matches of 1912 is to be taken in hand without delay, but one may question the wisdom of the method deter­ mined on by the. Board of Control. Surely some better and more attractive fixtures could have been arranged for next season than the three matches between Probables and Possibles—one at Lord’s and one each in Yorkshire and Lancashire. One objection to the plan is that the Probables are not likely to benefit by trial games a twelve­ month in advance of the Triangular Tourna­ ment, and another, as the gates are to be pooled, that matches between Probables and Possibles are not likely to draw big crowds. A better idea would be to let a young England Eleven meet the M.C.C., Yorkshire and Lancashire. Keener cricket would assuredly be seen and our youthful players would have a fine chance of showing what they could do outside county cricket. The material for a Young England team is certainly promising. Jotting down the first names that occur to one the side might be picked from M. C. Bird (captain), F. H. Knott, I. P. F. Campbell, F. R. Foster, G. N. Foster, Relf (R. R.), Hitch, Dacat, Woolley,Shipman (the Leicestershire fast bowler who rattled down the Surrey wickets in August at the Oval), Hearne (J. W.) and the best young wicket-keeper available. Among this twelve we have ten good batsmen and, including Bird, who is a capital change, half a-dozen bowlers all quite different in style. The fact of Woolley having already played for England both at home and in South Africa and Bird in South Africa, would of course be no bar to selection. Robert Relf is older than the other players, but being only twenty- seven he can still fairly be described as young. Other names, such as C. V. L. Hooman, suggest themselves, and in all three matches the side could be more or less varied. Far more urgent, however, tban any trials in 1911, is the need of giving the selected England eleven two preliminary games in 1912 before the date of the first Test match. Having now condescended to organise, the Board of Control will no doubt see to this matter when the time comes.