Cricket 1914

428 THE WORLD OF CRICKET. A u g u s t 15, 1914. Oates being the wicket-keeper. The latter, as well as several fielders, appealed for a catch at the wicket, when I at once replied “ Not out.” Later, when Harry Butt (another Sussex batsman) was batting, Hallam, the bowler, along with some of the fielders, made a precisely similar appeal, to which I again responded “ Not out.” I after­ wards learnt that a few of the Notts team had been taking me severely to task for giving what they considered to be two incorrect decisions. “ A r t h u r S h r e w s b u r y , with whom I was at all times on the best of terms, also told me, after the close of the day’s play, that he considered both of these decisions were wrong, and that in his opinion, both men were caught at the wicket. I replied that I could not agree with him, as the ball had, in Mr. Brann’s case, hit his shirt-sleeve, and in Butt’s case the ball just grazed his pad at the knee. This was fully confirmed, as the two batsmen told me, the following morning, that they had neither of them played the ball, but that it had hit each exactly as I had explained to Shrews­ bury.” F ro m a full report (Worcester Daily Times) of the meeting one is able to gather more than appeared in the meagre accounts given in the London press. M r. P a u l F o l e y , it seems, wrote to all the other first- class counties asking for support in this crisis in the club’s history. Kent, Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Surrey readily agreed to guarantee £2.0 each for the next two years. Warwickshire and Derbyshire said that they would do likewise if the other counties did. Essex, Northamptonshire, and Leicestershire sympathised, but had their own financial difficulties, and could not afford to help. Somerset, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Notts, and Sussex had not replied ; but he hoped that at least one or two of these counties would contribute. T h e money thus guaranteed, with the /100 offered by the professionals, would go far to make up the difference between the ^850 promised and the ^1100 needed, Mr. Foley said. J u d g e A m p h le t t , who has worked hard to keep the club going, was in doubt as to whether to vote for the amendment— i.e., for its continuance. He said that if the club continued Lord Cobham must be relieved of the responsibility of the bank overdraft. L o r d C o b h am said that he would make his offer of £100 operative for two years, expressed his high appreciation of the professionals’ action, and asked to be relieved of his duties as an active member of the Committee. He has done much for the club, and if he retires at this juncture no one can feel that he is deserting the colours. T h e captain of the eleven, Mr. W. H. Taylor, has guaranteed ^100. Sir George Hingley, at the meeting, offered ^50, and Lord Deerhurst £20, each for two years The amendment was carried by 14 votes to 3, and Worcester­ shire will go on. T h e pavilion at Old Trafford will be utilised by the British Red Cross Society, and the fulfilment of Lancashire’s remaining matches is not absolutely certain. U p to date (August 12) the following players have totalled 1000 runs or more (in each case the date on which the 1000 was reached is given) :— 1— Tarrant (June 15). 2— Hearne (J. W.) (June 16). 3— Mead (C. P.) (June 16). 4— Hobbs (J. B.) (June 19). 5— Woolley (F. E.) (June 30). 6— Hirst (July 9). 7— H. P. Chaplin (July 16). 8— F. R. Foster (July 17). 9— P. A. Perrin (July 20). 10— Denton (D.) (July 21). 11— Hardinge (July 21). 12— Humphreys (July 23). 13— Gunn (G.) (July 23). 14— King (July 23). 15— Wilson (B. B.) (July 24). 16— Bowley (F. L.) (July 24). *7— Jupp (July 27). 18— Rhodes (July 27). 19— Hubble (July 27). 20— Sharp (July 27). 21— Russell (July 27). 22— Tyldesley (E.) (July 28). 23— Seymour (July 30). 24— S. G. Smith (July 30). 25— J. W. H. T. Douglas (Jy. 26— Vine (Aug. 3). 27— Ducat (Aug. 3). 28— Coe (Aug. 5). 29— Relf (A. E.) (Aug. 6). 30— Gunn (J.) (Aug. 7). 31— Parsons (Aug. 7). 32— Tyldesley (J. T.) (Aug. 8) 33— Hardstaff (Aug. 11). 34— Bowley (E. H.) (Aug. 11). 31 )- T h e only men whose names occur in this list who have not previously made 1000 in a season are the two Sussex colts, Jupp and Bowley, and Hubble. After all Worcestershire will not] go to the wall ! So it was resolved at a special general meeting held on Satur­ day last, when the county professionals, through Burrows as spokesman, offered either ^100 down or a guarantee to play in two county matches next season without any fee whatever as a contribution to the fund being raised. J o h n H o b b s (August 6) alone has reached 2000; but both Mead and Woolley should follow suit within the next week or so. T h e takers of 100 wickets to date are : 1— Kennedy (July 10). 6— Drake (July 28). 2— Booth (July 21). 3— Blythe (July 22). 4— Hitch (July 27). 5— J. W. H. T. Douglas (Jy. 28). 7— Hearne (J. W.) (Aug. 3).. 8— Tarrant (Aug. 5). 9— Woolley (F. E.) (Aug. 7). 10— Rhodes (Aug. 7). P o r t s m o u t h is absolutely impossible as a cricket venue just now, of course ; and the Week there has been given up. Warwickshire will be met at Southampton instead, and Lancashire probably at Bournemouth. F o r the present the M.C.C. counsels: “ Go on.” Their advice is based on the sound principle that in so far as is- possible the nation should pursue its normal way. W h e t h e r this will be possible for long is another matter. Even as one writes the shock of a big battle not far from the historic field of Waterloo is impending. A million armed men, fighting in defence of their countries, will meet another million slipped from the leash by an ambitious tyrant. To think even of the holocaust of dead is appalling. Liege, where the German slain lay five feet deep in places, will be as nothing to that enormous battle front of 250- miles or more. A n d it may be that when once the issue is joined thus- grimly the feeling of the nation will be against further play. It cannot affect them, those gallant allies of ours ; and yet— can we go on playing, watching, or writing of cricket while they are in the death-grapple ? T h e r e are many considerations involved. In the event public sentiment will settle the matter. T h e M.C.C. have contributed £250 (as a first donation) to the National Relief Fund. Some Press Opinions. “ Should make many friends . . . Good luck to i t ! ” — The Pelican + “ A bright production and promises well.” — Scarborough Daily Post. “ Should appeal to all lovers of the national game.”— Thame Gazette. “ A very readable number.” — Uttoxeter Advertiser. “ A capital first number.” — Royal Cornwall Gazette. “ One of its most valuable features is that the Editor is prepared to. place his knowledge at the service of his readers, young or old.’*— Upton-on-Severn News.