Cricket 1913

260 CRICKET: A WEEKLY RECORD OF THE GAME. M a y 31, 1913. Correspondence. T h e C h a m p io n s h ip . D e a r S i r ,— A bemusing misprint occurrred in m y remarks in C r i c k e t of May 17th. If the number of matches to count in the actual Championship were reduced, the renowned Achilles would have an incentive “ to turn out at least for these matches ” (not " for three ") X should have said. B ut the self-abnegating Allies and the dreadful Young Turks, each equally afeared of the other p arty’s measures, have agreed to a five years’ cessation of hostilities ; and, apparently, the counties must await the lapsing of th at compact for an opportunity to put their full strength in the field in any complete series of matches. There is still leave, one rejoices to see, to amend the counting of points. Perhaps it is too much to hope th at it will be employed to entirely oust the valuation of draws. To revert to the simple proportion of wins to finished games is the only passable method while tests are not uniform. The very first match of this season exemplified the hardship and foolishness of attempting to assess the draw. Because Surrey and Northants had selected a date when the weather (for which neither was answerable) forbade play till the third day, they were allowed to share only four of a “ possible ” five points, thus giving all their other rivals a handicap advantage of 20 per cent, at the outset. Then (apart from the toss-up who had really the better of the game) the presumed victor is rewarded by the robbery of 40 per cent, of its " possible ” spoils (which three points means), instead of the 80 per cent, th at its unfortunate opponent loses. And a week later, mark you, the side th at under similar circumstances would have received the heavier penalty actually won the return game o u trigh t! C r i c k e t has already remarked another fault of the system : th at it tempts a side to hold on to the minor points rather than venture for the major reward, which would be the only one if “ wins in finished games ” were restore !. Yours truly, H. P.-T. Some Public School Cards. H A IL E Y B U R Y . May June 10— The Masters. 17— Mr. C. E. W inter’s X I. (atNorthaw) 24— Old Wykeham ists. 31— Free Foresters. 7— M.C.C. 13 and 14— Wellington College (at Wel­ lington) . 21— Butterflies. June 28— Mr. G. S. Pawle’s X I. (atWidford). July 5— Old Haileyburians. „ 11 and 12— Uppingham School. „ 19— Incogniti. „ 25 and 26— Cock House Match. Aug. 1 and 2— Cheltenham College (at Lords) A ll matches at home except those otherwise noted. W ELLINGBOROUGH . May June 15— Leicester Clergy (H.) 17— Leicester Ivanhoe A (H.). 24— Lord Lilford’s X I. (A.). 28— Northants’ Colts(H). 2— M.C.C. (H.). 14— Bedford Modern School (A.). 25— Elstow School (A.). July 2— Bedford Modem School (H.). 5— Elstow School (H.). 12— C ity of London School (H.). 19— Bedford C. & G. (H.) 21— Lord Lilford’s X I. (H.). 25— Past (H.). EASTBOURNE. June 21— Old Eastboum ians (H.). „ 25— K ing’s School, Can­ terbury (H.). 2— Mr. E. C. Arnold’s X I. (H.). 12— Lancing (A.). 16— Old Reptonians (H.) 19— South Saxons (H.). July May 14— N ext X V I. ,, 19 — St. Andrew’s Masters (A.). „ 2 1 — Blue Mantles (A.). „ 3 1 — Sussex Martlets (H.) June 4— Christ’s Hospital (A.). „ 9— Eastbourne (A ). „ 1 1 — South Lynn (A.). ,. 13— M.C.C. (H.). The Blue Mantles, Eastbourne, and South Lynn matches are on the Saffrons. Ancient Advice to Cricketers. The verses which follow are from the County Magazine of November, 1786. They have assuredly no merit as verse; one is not sure th at they ever had much as advice ; but they are likely to amuse many even among those who have not the anti­ quarian mind. They begin viciously— positively vicio u sly! Imagine a captain nowadays quaffing off a bumper of gin before he “ consulted his men." “ The umpire shall dispute the matter,” says our poetaster. Did he not mean “ decide ” ? But enough of comment. Let dead and gone H. H. speak for himself. Sir, — Since Cricket playing is become such a practical game, you will do a great piece of service to those who take delight in it, by inserting the following lines in your extensive Magazine, as a hint, as every man’s place is plainly set forth. A H INT TO CR IC K E T P L A Y E R S . Before the game you do begin, Take off a bumper, beer or gin ; Consult your men when this is done, And see which of them can well run ; Then choose two bowlers strong withal, Try see if they can catch the b a ll; One umpire then you must provide, And so must they on t ’other side ; Amongst your men you now must find A man .that can well stop behind ; For to stop well behind the wicket, Is deem’d a niceish part at crick et: These two things then you next must do, Place one at middle wick't, at b att’s end two ; Above the silent wicket one must go, Another in a line with him below ; Post one behind the bowler, 'tis the fashion, Another behind the batter, if occasion ; Above the stopper there must stand The bowler, for there he's at hand : One that can throw well, likewise scout, He for a long stroke must stand, out. Now all the players nicely stand, The bowler he must give command ; Provided there must be one more, I mean a man to keep the score ; And from the people get away. That he may not be in the play. The umpire must the knotches call When that the bowler has the ball ; • And all disputing with the batter, The umpire shall dispute the matter : These things observed, you need not doubt . But we shall quickly bowl them out. Before that you begin to play, Pray make by-standers get away ; If room permits, and they're inclin’d, E ’en make them all fall back behind ; When all are ready, mind your play, And I ’ll directly bowl away. Amport. H------ Y H------ s. W ELLINGBOROUGH MASTERS' CARD . May 12— Leicester Ivanhoe (H.). „ 26— Jesus Coll., Camb. *< («.), „ 31— St. Bart ’s Hospital (H.).’ June 7— London Hospital (H ). „11— Leicester Ivanhoe (A-). June 18— The Wanderers (H.). , 21— Beds Ramblers (H.). ,, 28— Richmond (H.). July 9— Northants C. & G . (H.). „ 16— Mr. H. Hawkins’ s X I. (H.). „ 26-^Rushden (A.). THE AMERICAN CRICKETER. Founded 1877 . Published by the Associated Cricket Clubs of Philadelphia. An Illustrated Journal of Cricket, Association Football, Tennis, G olf, and Kindred Pastimes. Nd. 114 , South 18 th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.» U.S.A. Price— 15s. per annum , post paid anywhere. Specimen copies mailed on request. Printed and published for the Proprietors by Cricket 4 Sports Publishers Ltd., 125, Strand, London, W.C., May 31 st, 1913. Agent* for Australia, Ac., Gordon dfc Gotch, London, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Launceston, Hobart and Wellington, N.Z. For South Africa, C en tral News A obkcy, Ltd., Cape Town, Johannesburg and branches. The trade supplied by B. S eal *, 10, Imperial Arcade, Ludgate Circus, B.C.