Lives in Cricket No 37 - William Clarke

96 Controversy ‘lack of interest’ for, either the party who was at the wicket ought to have made the inquiry, or those connected with the ‘in’ side should have had the fact communicated to them. Fancy for one moment two country clubs contending together; the first innings decides which are the victors; the time for drawing (as agreed) is half-past five; three minutes is wanted and six runs also. Would not the two batsmen know it? Such was the case at Newcastle. The Hereford match, where the Eleven were also engaged, I am sorry to be obliged to acknowledge, I lost seven pounds in going to see. I did not, however, stop; for when I bought a card, I perceived the following Eleven for England had nearly completed their innings: Caesar, Grundy, Anderson, Parr, Caffyn, Guy, A.Clarke, A.Mynn , W.Clarke, Bickley and Hillyer. The latter, when I entered the ground, was just called from the duties of ‘umpireship’ to play in the room of Box, for whom Caffyn kept wicket. Neither of those I have marked in italics are capable, Mr Editor, of playing for England. Much dissatisfaction was the result, the county being young as cricketers, it was likely to do very great injury; £70, I believe, was collected for the Eleven, which, with their own professionals and additional expenses, was principally got together by crowns, half-crowns, shillings &c. This will convince the reader how popular the game of cricket is likely to become in Herefordshire, if not prevented by the introduction of men who have no pretensions to cricket, and players whose days have gone by. I should strongly advise clubs to know and be certain what sort of an eleven they are engaging to show them cricket. I have dwelt very long on this subject, Mr Editor, but these “doings” are totally injurious to the noble and manly game of cricket, and I am confident your cricketing readers will thank you for the insertion in your widely circulating journal of that which tends to promote the game. What expense it has been to me to procure the above information will be well expended by the satisfaction of knowing that our provincial cricketers may realize great benefit from it, and also that it may be the means of the game being played as it should be. The above parties played 30 matches, of which 11 were drawn, 10 won and 4 lost. The “United Eleven of England” are, it appears to me, established on a far better principle and have connected with them most of the best cricketers. They played four matches, won three and drawn one; they were on two occasions very weak. If they wish for good matches they must play their strength; include no gentleman unless he be really worthy of a place. They have on their side most of the ‘skill’ of the country, and conducted on honest principles, which appears to be the fact, they must succeed … Cambridge, November 4 A Lover of Cricket. It was in The Era of 26 December 1852, that Clarke’s response to ‘A Lover of Cricket’ appeared: If I had taken the advice of my friends and some of the leading members of the Marylebone Committee, I should not have answered this ‘Lover of Cricket’, but as the article in question is principally directed against