Cricket 1912

84 CRICKET : A WEEKL Y Scottish Cricket Prospects for 1 9 1 2 . B y “ D u n e d in .” The season of 1912 promises to be one of unusual interest for cricketers in Scotland. For the first time 011 record there are as many as five fixtures arranged for Scottish re­ presentative elevens, two each against the South Africans and Australians, and one against Ireland. In the last-named match only amateurs of Scottish birth or parentage arc eligible to play, but in the other four it will probably be found that the S.C.U. Committee will select the best possible eleven of cricketers playing in Scotland, whether amateurs or pro­ fessionals, and whether Scotsmen or Englishmen. It is, indeed, fully recognized that for these matches the greatest possible strength of Scottish cricket is not great enough, in spite of the comparative success gained against the Aus­ tralians in 1909, wlien at the finish the Australians still needed some thirty runs to win, with only three wickets to fall. The representative matches of last year, against Ireland and the Indians, showed a fair amount of talent available for these encounters, though the bowling is still weak. 'Looking at the bowlers first, Ringrose (Forfarshire) and Broadbent (formerly of Uddingston, and now playing as an amateur for Aberdeenshire), who did good work against the Australians in 1909, are still available ; but it is to be feared that neither is quite so deadly as he was then. Benskin (Perthshire) is a possible fast bow ler; on a slow wicket Keene (Grange) is still the best left-hander in Scotland ; and Nash (Uddingston, formerly of Glamorganshire) may be required ; or any other professional whose bowling is recommended by his season’s work. Of the amateurs, Messrs. J. A. Ferguson (Perthshire), .7. Si vrigbt (Arbroath), and I). Chapel (Grange) showed up best in last year’s matches ; but none of them is either deadly or steady enough to dismiss many lirst-class batsmen cheaply. The nucleus of the batt ing will be found in Messrs. It. G. Tail (Forfarshire), T. A. Bowie (Clackmannan), M. R. Dickson (Arbroath), W. II. Tliorburn (Peebles), B. L. Peel (Grange), G. W. Jupp (Carlton), J. Grieve (Selkirk), P. S. Fraser (Grange), and others; most of those named have been successful in such matches before ; much may be hoped from Fraser who is young and has great scoring power, if he can but improve his defence. For wicket-keeping it is unnecessary to look beyond G. K. Chalmers (Forfarshire), who is also a resolute hitter towards the end of an innings. Certainly, given good weather, these matches are sure to give a great impulse to Scottish cricket; the fixture at Perth especially is sure to be a great success; it is even now one of the chief subjects of conversation in the “ Fair City.” It is strange that cricket in Scot land is so much more keenly supported in the north-east counties than elsewhere. It is to bo feared that a fully representative X I. of Scotland can hardly be obtained for each of these live matches. In fact, the greatest handicap to Scottish cricket is the lack of a leisured class ; all the best amateurs are busy professional men, who can hardly spare three consecut ive days for a game, however much they would like to do so. It naturally follows that they are not trained to three-day cricket. It is not that Scottish grounds are poor, or the wicket always slow and dead, as seems to be the belief of some English writers on the game. There are plenty of wickets which in fine weather are hard and fast enough, e.g., on the Grange, the Perthshire and Forfarshire grounds. The great difference from English pitches is that rain practically never produces a really sticky “ bird-lime ” w icket; the sun is not hot enough to dry them quickly. Hence bowlers, especially slow bowlers, can seldom absolutely ratt le a side out. On the other hand, in nearly all club games batsmen have to meet a pretty good professional at one end : thus run-getting is not so easy as in many English districts. It follows that it may be said, inconsistent as the statements seem, that it is harder both to make runs and. to get wickets in Scotland; but they are confirmed by the success of Scottish cricketers in both departments when they appear—rarely if is true— in English cricket. Nor is Scotch weather so unfavourable to the game ; the east wind in May is bitter, but the rainfall, except in the west, is lighter than in the greater part of England, and most days in the summer are pleasant enough. In fact, Scottish cricket is in a healthy and improving condition ; tliero only needs to be more of it, RECORD OP THE GAME. A p r i l 27, 1912. and for the players to be more used to more important and longer contests. County and club cricket will 110 doubt be improved by the keenness generated by the representative matches. The county championship will probably lie once more between Forfarshire and Perthshire ; the former is the better batting side, having run-getters down to the last wicket, but apart from Bingrose their bowling is weak. Perthshire are less strong in batting, but in Benskin, Messrs. Ferguson and Lovat Fraser they have a good trio of bowlers. Of the Eastern clubs, the Grange may be expected to do better ; though they have lost most of their great players of a decade ago, their best men now are on the young side, and ought to improve. The Carlton are always a dangerous, energetic side, though their bowling on good wickets is not very dangerous. The old school clubs in the Edinburgh district, such as the Academicals, the High School, and the Watsonians, have agreed this year to play their matches with each other with­ out professional assistance ; this may in the long run develop amateur bowling, but at first is likely to lead to higli scoring and drawn matches. Cricket in the West is very keenly, perhaps too keenly, played, at least in League matches ; at present though such sides as Drumpellier and Uddingston are strong, there is rather a lack of individual excellence. The same statement applies to the South, though the brothers Grieve (Selkirk) and Storrie (Hawick) are above the avorage. Th e Reveille. April (lings forth her sun In all the frenzy of its golden wealth, And memories, one by one, Come creeping on the sunshine’s ribboned stealth, Lost moments, long since spun. And who can give a thought To Summer’s ecstasies, but it must bring A whisper of the sport , The magic of the game : the echoing Of battles that were fought ? The field in purest green, Edged in with trees in shady elegance ; The sunlight’s glorious sheen, Wliit’ning to whiter white the combatants Scattered upon the scene. The friendly strife, the cry That tells the keenness of the watching few ; The bit that soars on high, The run that calls the cheering forth anew, The score a-creeping nigh. The mighty catch, the ball That swung its thunderbolt of sudden death And wrought a champion’s fall All coming back upon the warming breath That April breezes call. They whisper promised days— For Cricket’s joys are straining to begin, And on the future’s haze That every day grows thinner and more thin The sunshine soon will blaze. P h il is t in e . THE AMERICAN CRICKETER. F ounded 1877. Published by H. H. Cornish on behalf of The Associated Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia. Au Illustrated Journal of Cricket, Association Football, Tennis, Golf, and Kindred Pastimes. No. 008, Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, P a , U.S.A. PRICE— IB/- per annum, post paid anywhere. Specimen copies mailed on request.