Cricket 1911

December 23, 1911. EUGBY FOOTBALL AND CRICKET. 597 CRICKET. A Chat with fl[r. H. W, Tailor . ORD’S GROUND, Durban, is hardly au ideal spot, even on a hot summer’s day ; in cold and cricketer of the family had he not been obliged to give up the game. He was to have captained Natal’s Currie Cup team last season, but wet weather,despite itscommodious pavil- jhe broke a blood-vessel some three weeks before the tournament and it ismostdepressing; It had been j he has not fully recovered yet. He will never play cricket again.” “ That is most unfortunate. 5Tou ion, is raining stead ily all the previous night but only a slight shower or two had fallen in the early m orning; and I left my home at Greenwood Park, about six miles from Durban, in the early afternoon, hoping against hope that we were at last going to get a fair start for the cricket season. Two wet days out of three had already been the luck of Durban cricketers, and yet another “ damper ” was to be added to the list. By the time I arrived at Lord’s there was a driving rain, which had apparently set in for the rest of the day, and the bitter cold did not tend to alleviate matters. Not a soul was to be seen, with the exception of the gate-keepers; but on gaining the pavilion I was pleased to find at least a score or so enthusiasts anxiously waiting to see if the weather would break. The rain, however, showed no signs of abating, and about 3 p.m. the umpires went out to inspect the pitches and returned with the news that “ cricket was off for the day.” I looked round for “ Herby” Taylor, but he had not put in an appearance ; so, determined not to have had my journey for nothing, I again braved the elements, and made for his home. By the time I reached his house, which overlooks the Albert Park Oval, the rain had ceased some­ what, and “ H erby” himself came to the door, ready dressed for the antici­ pated fray, with mackintosh over all. I explained my errand, when he told me that he was just off to Lord’s, but on informing him that all matches had been abandoned he obligingly consented to see me there and then. I followed him into his father’s prettily furnished and cosy drawing room, and we were soon comfortably seated facing each other, when, after a few general remarks, I commenced opera­ tions. It appeared that the Sunday Po,t, of Johannesburg, had only a few days before interviewed him and Joseph Cox, the Greyville bowler, but he seemed delighted when he heard that I was seeing him on behalf of Cricket. “ You are having very hard luck, so far, this season,” I began. “ I should rather think s o ; beastly luck : why I have only had a single knock up to now, and that was 19 last week against Greyville.” “ How long have you been playing cricket ? ” “ Ever since I was a youngster at the Durban High School, some nine years ago, when I was in the school 2nd XI. “ You come, I know, of a family of cricketers.” “ Y es; my father, Dan Taylor, used to captain the Natal side, in the days of the late “ Don ” Davey, and they were great friends. But my elder brother “ D an” would, I think, have been the best Photo by] have another brother, have you not ? ” “ Y es; ‘ E. D .,’ who occasionally turns out for Queen’s Park.” “ You were at Michaelhouse College, Balgowan, I think ? ” “ I was there for five years, and was in the first team from the time I went until the time I left. The last year I was vice-captain.” “ How many seasons have you played for Queen’s Park ? ” “ This will be my fifth season, although I played in only two or three matches in my first, as I left Michael­ house late in the season.” “ Which has been your best season ? ” “ Last year, when Queen’s Park won the First League Championship, and when I headed the club’s batting averages.” “ And what do you consider your best innings in first-class cricket ? ” “ I suppose my 55 with Dave Nourse, in the Natal v. M.C.C. match at Lord’ s is probably my best perform­ ance, although my (52 and 173 against Griqualand West, in last year’s Currie Cup tournament, is really my best match record so far.” “ What do you think of South Africa’s chances in England next year ? ” “ Well, of course, I don’t think we shall beat England or Australia, although we ought to give them a good game. In the other matches, however, I think we shall come out all right.” “ Do you think the bowling will be strong enough ? ” “ I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be. We shall have nearly all our best bowlers available, although, of course, Kotze will be hard to re­ place. But then there is certain to be some new stuff coming along.” “ You think that Vogler will be included in the team ? ” “ Oh yes! Even if his bowling should not be quite up to the mark, I consider he is fully worthy of a place for his batting and fielding alone. I firmly believe, however, that he will get back his old form as a bowler before that time. He has started this season very well.” “ Of courseyou know that Llewellyn’s engagement with Accring­ ton may debar him from taking part in week-end matches for South Africa ? ” “ N o ; I had not thought of that. It will certainly be a great loss to our side if such is the case ; but I hope that can be fixed up somehow.” ‘ ‘ And who do you consider likely to go in Kotze’s place ? ” “ Why, Joe Cox, of Greyville, i should,think stands as good a chance as anyone, for he is a splendid bowler, and looks like being in form again this season. I do not consider him a last bowler though.” [A. Cecil Coyne, West St., Durban, S.A. H. W. T A YLO R .