The Minor Counties Championship 1905

5 representatives had been filled by Harry Mallett, Earl Norman and Percy de Paravicini. It was agreed that they be re-appointed. The Position of Northamptonshire – During the 1904 season the MCC Committee had agreed that Northamptonshire should become a first-class county and compete in the first-class county championship, subject to it being able to arrange six home and away fixtures with the other first- class counties. ‘Pat’ Darnell explained that they were still one fixture short of achieving this number, with Hampshire, Leicestershire, Surrey and Warwickshire committed and Derbyshire offering to step in but only if five other opponents were guaranteed. It was clear that the Association’s proposals for three divisions and a more equitable scheme for promotion and relegation were not going to find favour with the ‘cricketing establishment’ which he deeply regretted. Northamptonshire had been loyal members of the MCCA and they did not wish to do anything by accepting the MCC offer which was considered ‘unsportsmanlike or unfair by colleagues at the meeting’. Pat Darnell paid tribute to the work of the Hon Secretaries and the Emergency Committee as their efforts were largely responsible for the offer of ‘promotion’ that had been made to the County. He finally asked that if Northamptonshire failed to obtain the necessary ‘sixth’ opponent at the fixtures meeting later that da y, then he hoped that ‘as old friends’ the county could look to some minor counties to offer friendly fixtures for 1905. [Fortunately, Sussex offered to include the county on its fixture list and Northamptonshire’s first -class status was secured.] Changing the Method of Scoring – Bedfordshire had proposed that the system of scoring for the Championship should be amended to award teams two points for a drawn match where they led on first innings. It was argued that such a system was a better reflection of the real strength of counties than the present one. The proposal was passed, the sole dissentient being Harry Mallett who argued it would lead to teams playing dull cricket and going for draws when they should be going for wins. The Application of the Closure – Durham proposed that the MCC Committee be asked to allow for two-day matches the declaration to be made any time after tea on the first day. The present Law 54 did not permit any closures to be made on the first day. The proposal was supported and the Hon Secretaries were asked to write to the MCC making this suggestion and express willingness for the Minor Counties to trial it in a future season. The Application of London County – The finances of the London County cricket team were under strain and the first-class counties were increasingly unwilling to offer fixtures. As a result, Dr W G Grace made an application to the Association for membership. Concerns were expressed about the ‘scope’ of the team and difficulties relating to the qualification of their players. The application was turned down. Umpires As had become the usual practice over recent years, the captains and secretaries met at Lord’s the day after the Annual Meeting on Wednesday 7 December to select the umpires for the 1905 Minor Counties Competition. Those present were F E Lacey (MCC Secretary), H R Orr (Bedfordshire), Sir Charles Nepean (Berkshire), H Tresawna (Cornwall), W Hardy Manfield (Dorset), W R Wilson (Durham), Dr J Earl Norman (Hertfordshire), H Duncan Stratton (Staffordshire), R Ll Hodgson (Suffolk), W T Graburn (Surrey 2nd XI), A M Miller (Wiltshire) and R W Frank (Yorkshire 2nd XI). Francis Lacey took the chair.