Cricket 1911

228 CEICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. J un e 1 0 ,1 9 1 1 . /Vlalvern Cricket and Cricketers- These ten clubs are presided over by specially appointed captains, each of whom is responsible for the conduct of the members of his club. Every club is daily visited by the captain of the eleven, who also makes a weekly inspec­ tion of each club captain’s score-book, so that promotion or relegation to a lower club can be made if occasion demands. The most serious cricket is naturally that of the Seniors and the Oolts. Here the untiring efforts of coaches are constantly expended. Practically the whole of the coaching is done by masters, and results testify to the success of their methods. First and foremost must be mentioned Mr. C. Toppin, for to him really belongs the full credit for the present sound organisation and the eminently attractive Malvern style of batting. But alas ! time spares none, and Mr. Toppin is not as young as he was. His arm will not go up as high as in the days of old. But he has able lieutenants, among whom Messrs. W. W. Lowe, R. B. Porch, and W. Greenstock (two of the three old boys of the school, while Mr. Greenstock hails from Fettes, and Mr. Toppin himself is an old Sedbergh boy) with E. Tate (one time of Hants) as permanent professional, call for special mention. The particular sphere of the Senior Club will be easily understood ; but it seems w'orth while to explain the special activities of the Colts’ Club. Here the young talent is developed, chiefly by Mr. Porch and Mr. Greenstock. Here the really promising ‘ 1 Freshers ” are placed, until they are drafted into the Senior, where Mr. Toppin and Mr. Lowe Photo by] [Hawkins and Co., Brighton. Mr. 0 . N. POSTER. preside. It is the ambition of all new boys keen on the game to get a place in the Colts’ Club, and the attainment of a place carries with it a certain standing among the colt’s contemporaries that has its own value. On half holidays—three days a week—games are played, and a sound system of inter-club matches exists, and arouses a good deal of keenness. On the evenings of the other three days there is net practice, with Lower Boys as fags in the field. Hither come the Malvern mentors; and by 6.30, when practice ends, one is inclined to wonder B y a n O l d M a l v e r n ia n . I. In the matter of grounds Malvern is distinctly fortunate. No better ground is there in all England for learning the rudiments of cricket upon. The “ Senior ” — the terrace on which the select few play—forms the centre of the playing fields, with Houses to north and south, while on a higher terrace to the west are the picturesque main buildings of the school. Photo by] [Hawkins and Co., Brighton. Mr. R. E. FOSTER. The turf is of the finest quality. It is practically impossible to find a wicket which is not plumb, and, except in the early weeks of the season, fast. Among county grounds Taunton is that with which one naturally compares it, the ball coming off the wicket in very similar manner. Perhaps the Malvern ground is a trifle faster than Taunton, but it never becomes so lively as that at Lord’s, for instance. It dries faster and always dries easily. From a batsman’s point of view an ideal ground, one would say. And so it is. The only real drawback is its narrowness. Cricket at Malvern is compulsory, of course. The school of about five hundred boys is divided into fifteen “ clubs ” or games. Only five of these play on the ‘ ‘ Senior Turf.” These five are the “ Senior,” made up of the first twenty-two; “ Colts, A and B ,” promising youngsters; “ Middle I.,” prefects, etc., chiefly of the hard-hitting and fast bowling type of cricketer; and “ V llth Club,” a kind of nursery to the Colts. The other ten clubs play their games on grounds lying around the Senior Turf, and in candour one must acknowledge that they are somewhat cramped for room. It is a great pity that funds do not admit of much improve­ ment and enlargement.