Cricket 1911

556 EUGBY FOOTBALL AND CEICKET. O c to b e r 7, 1911 Th? Team for Au s tra l ia . The M.C.C.’s team left London for Australia on Sep­ tember 29th and sailed from Tilbury later in the day on the splendidly equipped Orient liner Orvieto. At St. Pancras, where thousands had assembled to give the side a hearty send-off, Lord Harris, who represented the M.C.C., said he believed that, with a fair share of the luck and good health, the team would prove successful. The captain, after stating that every effort would be made to bring back the “ Ashes,” said, “ However, win or lose, I know that every member of the team will play the game in the finest spirit possible from the first ball to the last.” With cheers for “ England’s captain ” —called for by Mr. C. B. Fry—- the gathering broke up and the party entrained for Tilbury. Just before the train steamed out of the station Fry gave Warner a hearty hand-grip and wished him ‘ ‘ Good-bye and good luck,” and when he added, with a tinge of sorrow in his tones, “ How I wish I were going, too,” he was met with a chorus of “ It’s not too late now, Charles. Come in ! ” and eager hands were stretched out to draw him into the saloon. At Tilbury Mr. Green, in a farewell speech in the smoking-room of the Orvieto, expressed the hope that Mr. Warner would bring back the ‘ ‘ Ashes,” as he didbefore, and the captain, in replying, again expressed his intention of doing everything possible to win the rubber. He men­ tioned that the M.C.C. had given him a very fine team, but it was a matter for the very greatest regret that Messrs. Fry, Spooner and Jessop had been unable to go. “ I had hoped to serve : I have to lead.” Nobody would have been prouder than himself to serve under Mr. Fry. Among those who assembled to see the team off were Lord Harris, Lord Hawke, C. I. Thornton, C. E. Green, Major Wardill, G. A. Faulkner, R. O. Schwarz, A. E. Stoddart, C. B. Fry, R. H. Spooner, W. H. Patterson, J. R . Mason, K. L. Hutchings, H. D. G. Leveson-Gower, Abel, Richardson, Blythe, Fielder, Huish, Brockwell, G. J. Groves, H. J. Henley, E. R. Ward, C. Stewart Caine, Sydney H. Pardon and F. S. Ashley-Cooper. BLANCO For Cleaning and Whitening White Buckskin and Canvas Shoes, Cricket Pads, and all other articles of a similar nature. Sold by Athletic Dealers, Ironmongers, Oilmen, Stotes, Boot and Shoe Dealers, &c. THE AMERICAN CRICKETER. F o u n d e d 1877. Published by H. H. Cornish on behalf of The Assoolated Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia. An Illustrated Journal of Cricket, Association Football, Tennis, Golf, and Kindred Pastimes. No. 608, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A. p r ic k — IB/- per annum, post paid anywhere. Specimen copies mailed on request. Corr<?spond<?nc<?. [The Editor does not hold himself responsible for the opinions oj his correspondents. PUBLIC SCHOOL CRICKET. To the Editor of C r i c k e t . S ir , —As one who thinks Public School Cricket one of the most interesting aspects of the game, I should like to know whether any insurmountable obstacle exists to the arrangement of an annual knock-out tournament between all or most of the Schools, similar to that at Rackets which takes place each spring. Even if 32 (quite an outside number) Schools took part, only four would have more than three games to play ; and some schools which now complain of a dearth of matches with other schools would have at least the chance of remedy­ ing this. The final round could be played at Lord’s in the week before August Bank Holiday. There would seem to be two chief objections. One that Schools ‘ 1 outed ” in the first round would be deprived of other School games for the rest of the season ; but surely it should not be impossible so to arrange programmes as to allow of some dates being filled up subsequent to the decision of the first round. The other objection is that of vested interests in the case of old standing school fixtures, and primarily of Eton V; Harrow. This is where the chief opposition would probably arise ; but it is based on sentiment only and has no inherent validity. Is it impossible to hope for the necessary open-mindedness among even the conservative authorities of our most conservative game ? On the other hand the tournament would be a source of widespread interest. The boys themselves would, I fancy, be among its ardent advocates. Think of the, to them, all absorbing excitement of the draw for the first round ! But that interest would, I think, be shared by Old Boys and others in only a less degree. Yours, etc., D e t a c h e d . THE MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP. To the Editor of C r i c k e t . S ir , —Why should not the Minor Counties Champion­ ship Final match be played annually at Lord’s, say, on the first Monday in September, a week before the Major Champions’ appearance at the Oval ? I am not aware of the principle on which at present the match is located, but a neutral ground seems obviously desirable for both parties. Again, how came it that Saturday starts for “ week-end cricket” were fixed upon ? Friday seems indubitably better, both because the second day’s play is far oftener than not more interesting than the first, and also because in many cases the visitors would be able at the end of the game to return home for Sunday—seemingly the end of every first- class player’s desire, if printed arguments mean anything. We have copied the Australians in many thing cricketical, why not in this ? For mid-week cricket, Wednesday is all-right, at least in places where Thursday is the popular half-holiday. I am, etc., Ceylon, Sept., 1911. Z u m m e r z e t . G R O U P O F T H E M .C . C . ’s A U S T R A L IA N T E AM . Messrs. E. Hawkins* Co., of 32, Preston Street, Brighton, have just published an excellent composition group of the English Team which is about to visit Australia. Size 8 by 5J in., 2/3 mounted, 2/- unmounted; post-eard size, 3d. each. Individual portraits may also be obtained. Write for lists. Printed and published for the Proprietors by M e k k itt & H a tc h e r , L td ., 167, 168 and 169 Upper Thames Street, London, B.C. It is prepared in a very careful manner, and extra precautions are taken to ensure an evenness of colour. It contains nothing that w ill in any way injure the article to which it is applied, and if used as directed, a Splendid White of a glossy, satin-like appearance and soft silky surface is ensured, which w ill not readily rub off “ BLANCO ” CLOTH & LEATHER BALL For cleaning Suede, Ooze Calf, and Cloth Boots and Shoes, Cord Breeches, Suede Gloves, Cloth Spats, Leather and Cloth Leggings, &c. Made in Various shades of Cotour .