Lives in Cricket No 34 - Frank Mitchell

92 Chapter Fifteen The 1912 Triangular Tournament The announcement of the South African team to play in England in 1912 was made in mid-February that year. Frank Mitchell was named as captain. At this distance in time no reasoning has been found that may have been given by the national selectors for their choice of Mitchell as captain, and the rejection of other candidates. On any showing it was a bold decision. Frank Mitchell was aged 39, and had played no first-class cricket since his previous tour of England in 1904. To exchange strong club cricket in South Africa for the uncertainties of an English summer with a prolonged fixture list and to be then successful as a batsman was a major ask. On the other hand, he had been a proven leader for his university and for South Africa, was much respected by his former county of Yorkshire, had knowledge of English conditions and was well known in all cricketing circles. If it was a gamble to choose him, then it was a gamble that was not without its attractions. The 1912 Tour. For the first time, a group photograph of the cricket captains of three nations is taken – Mitchell, C.B.Fry and Syd Gregory.