Cricket 1911

CR ICKET : A WEEKLY RECORD OF TH E GAME. JU L Y 1, 1911. "Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil.”— Byron. n o . 8 7 4 . v o l . xxx. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1911. price 2 d . h Chat with ^Vlr. J . F. Ireland. DS driving up before a south west wind, rain already filin g , the wicket protected—it hardly looked promising for play that morning at H ove! But to me that mattered less than it would have done on another day, since my main object was to interview the Cambridge captain, and it was just possible that rain might better ray chance of doing so. I found Mr. Ireland in the pavilion. And he and I retired together t » a sheltered corner, where we could l<ok out over the ground —not a particularly pleasing prospect — and talk undisturbed. “ You were not born in Eng­ land, I believe, Mr. Ireland?” “ No, I was born in Mauri­ tius. But I left the island and came home when I wa* only four years old, so that I don’t remember much about it.” This was a trifle disappoint­ ing to the interviewer, who desired to know, among other things, to what extent cricket is played in Mauritius, of which island he knew little except what he had gleaned from one of old Alexandre Dumas’s most lurid novels, “ Georges.” “ Are you related to any of the other players of the same name—Mr. F. S. Ireland, of Kent, who, I find from the Kent Cricket History, was also born in Mauritius, Mr. G H. Ireland, who was in the Marl­ borough team before you, and Mr. M. W . Ireland, of Nor­ fo lk ?” “ F. S. Ireland is my uncle, though really I did not know, or had forgotten, that he was born out there. G. H. is my elder brother. I am not related to the Norfolk player.” “ You were three years in the Marlborough Eleven, I know, doing fairly well in 1905 and 1906, and particularly well in 1907. The big jump in that year seems to indicate a remarkably sudden improvement in form. Do you think that was the case ? ” “ No, I really don’t. It was rather a matter of greater experience and self-confidence. This makes so much difference to a schoolboy.” Photo by] Air. JOHN FREDERICK IRELAND. In 1905 Mr. Ireland scored 208 runs for his school, with an average of 18*90, and a highest innings of 43. In 1906 he made 249, average 19*10. biggest innings 101. In 1907 his aggregate was 712, his average 64 72, and his highest score 177 v. Marl­ borough Blues. Of him Mr. C. Toppin said in WUden of 1908: “ They ” (Marlborough) “ had in Ireland, their captain, an exceptionally fine bat, whose style and performances should ensure him a good trial at Cam­ bridge next year. Naturally a free run-getter, he could, and did when necessary, exercise plenty of self-restraint, and always played well within him­ self. I doubt whether he has any superior among school batsmen this year.” In the school matches of that season he made 99 v. Cheltenham, and 57 v. Rupby. “ You were not an imme­ diate success at Cambridge, I think ?” “ I did nothing at all at Cambridge in my first year, either in the Freshmen’s match or in the two University games in which I was given a place —against Yorkshire and the M.C.C. My first success waR in the match against the Gentlemen of England, at Eastbourne.” So well did Mr. Ireland play then—though he did not tell me this—that he was given his blue at once. He was not only the highest scorer (with 46 not out) in the first innings, but he also played distinctly the best cricket. In the second he scored 123 without a chance, hitting twenty 4's, and in partnership with Mr. K. G. MacLeod helping to add 246 for the seventh wicket. His best work in his second year was done in the Univer­ sity match, though a little while before he had played in excellent form v. Sussex at Hove. Against Oxford he was highest scorer in each innings (only four wickets fell in the second) with 65 and 29. In the first he and Mr. H. E. W . Prest put on 94 for the sixth wicket after five had gone down for 62. Last season he broke through the run of ill-luck which had [Hawkins it: Co., Brighton.