Lives in Cricket No 11 - CP Lewis

fame and success were each increasing, would not bother to come to Wales, preferring instead more lucrative matches elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The day before the game one newspaper even reported: ‘It is now stated that the Australians will not be able to come to Wales, as they are engaged in London.’ Perhaps there were concerns over the guarantee that J.T.D. had promised, but as it turned out, nobody should have worried as Gregory and his men honoured their commitment and travelled by train from Twickenham through the night to reach Swansea. They had cut short their match with the Orleans Club after only two days’ play. It was hardly the best of preparations, and no doubt influenced J.T.D. when he won the toss and, after discussing things with Lewis, decided to bowl first against the tourists. Here faithfully reprinted is how the events unfolded as reported by The Cambrian , considered at the time to be the national newspaper of Wales: Schoolmaster at Llandovery College 50 The famous Australian touring side of 1878, which beat the M.C.C. in a single day’s play, on 27 May of that year. Standing (l to r): J.M.Blackham (wk), T.P.Horan, G.H.Bailey, J.Conway (manager), A.C.Bannerman, C.Bannerman, W.L.Murdoch. Seated: D.W.Gregory (captain). On the ground: F.R.Spofforth, F.E.Allan, W.E.Midwinter, T.W.Garrett, H.F.Boyle.