James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Annual 1896

m k . l u c a s ’ s t e a m i n t h e w b s t i n d i e s 39 CHAPTER HI. MR. R. S. LUCAS’S TEAM IN THE WEST INDIES. TnE success that attended the visit of the team of Amateurs under the captaincy of Mr. R. Slade Lucas, the pioneers of English touring parties to the Islands, was so complete as to create the natural feeling of surprise that the West Indies had remained so long unexplored by English teams. Even as it was the trip would hardly have become an accomplished fact but for the persistency of Dr.R. B. Anderson, the/ows et origo of this new departure in cricket tours. A keen cricketer from his boyhood, Dr. Anderson in his time was captain and secretary of the Plymouth Cricket Club. Settling some twenty- three years ago in Tobago, he has played a leading part in the development of cricket in the West Indian Islands. The idea of a visit of English cricketers had long occupied his mind, and his return to England some three or four years ago gave him a favourable opportunity of bringing it to a practical conclusion. That it did take a tangible shape was, it is just to him to say. mainly his own work. With characteristic energy he interviewed the Committees of the Marylebone and Surrey County Clubs, besides advocating in person the advantage of such a tour before the annual meeting of County Secretaries at Lord ’s. From the West Indians in London he naturally received hearty co-operation, and the assistance of Lord Hawke, the Earl of Stamford, and Mr. Neville Lubbock was of great use in different ways. Lord Hawke had himself paid a visit to Jamaica on his homeward journey from a cricket tour in the States, and it was his intention at one time to have captained the team. As circumstances prevented this, Mr. R. Slade Lucas was induced to accept the post. The help of Lord Stamford and Mr. Neville Lubbock was equally useful in the business arrangements for the tour on this side, and to their influence the team were indebted for many facilities and little comforts during the tour. The Royal Mail Packet Company were induced to give special terms for the round trip, and concessions were also made with regard to the transmission of telegraphic news. The English cricketers were to be the guests of the clubs in the different Islands, so that in the end there was no great difficulty in getting the number required to form the team. The idea was to get a side capable of taking its own part with a second-class County eleven, and eventually the party was made up of the following:— Mr. It. 8 . Lucas (Middlesex), capt. Mr. It. Leigli-Barratt (Norfolk). Mr. It. Berens (Westminster and Oxford). Mr. F. W. Bush (Surrey County). Mr. H. It. Bromley-Davenport (Cam­ bridge University). Mr. J. M. Dawson (Cambridge Uni­ versity and Yorkshire Gentlemen). Mr Arthur Priestley (M.C.CJ . Mr. It. P. Sewell (Essex). Mr. H. Smith-Turberville (M.C.C.) Mr. W. H. Wakefield (Oxford Uni­ versity and Liverpool). Mr. J. H. Weatherbv (M.C.CJ . Mr. M. M. Barker (iiadley, M.C.C.L Mr. It. L. Marshall.