Lives in Cricket No 7 - Richard Daft

much to raise English professionals in the estimation of sportsmen on the other side of the Atlantic. It was the fond hope and belief of the Twelve that their visit will have the effect of encouraging cricket in a marked degree. Baseball and lacrosse will no doubt still prove formidable rivals.’ Over the winter of 1879/80, Richard and Edwin Browne made a tour of their own around Nottingham and its environs, giving lectures about their great adventure. The trip had been successful for Richard, who had received requests from his hosts to recommend professional bowlers, and he advertised this agency facility in Wisden for 1880, stressing that clubs, colleges or schools who applied to him ‘might rely upon his recommending those only who have satisfactory testimonials from their previous engagements, and who of his own personal knowledge are fitted for the post to which he recommends them.’ Yet, even as he looked forward to this new element in his business and to the season of 1880, he must have learned of Shaw and Shrewsbury’s decision to set up as his rivals. Later, he would learn from their advertisement in Wisden in 1881 that they were ‘under the Patronage of the Marylebone Club’. Meanwhile, he pressed on with another season of captaincy in what was to be one of the county’s most brilliant summers ever. America 95