CRICKET IN THE PAST

Evening Star, Issue 17036, 6 May 1919, Page 6

CRICKET IN THE PAST

FAMILIAR- NAMES RECALLED. The satisfaction expressed at the prospect of the revival of first class encket next year has been so pronounced that proposals for the manner in which «'thegames shall be conducted have been almost legion. Some of the suggestions have been wise, and some otherwise but one and all clearly testify to the sincerity of their sponsors to benefit the game (says F. S. Ashley-Cooper in ithe London ' Evening Standard'). And here it may be mentioned that it has often been customary to suggest alterations almost wholly from the_ point of view of first class matches. Exhibition cricket is an excellent thing in its way, but it is certainly not the most important phase erf 'the game. So far as health and exerciso aro concerned, village, school, and interclub cricket are of far greater moment, and for this reason every care should be taken by legislators to do nothing which should harm, oven to the smallest extent, the welfare of players who are not in the public eye. It is probable that for every first class match played there are at least a thousand of less note, and therefore precaution should be taken to safeguard the interests of those who participate in the latter. . HE WANTED A HUNDRED. If it is desired to save time in a match, one very obvious means of doing so is by increasing the number of balls to the over to eight or ten. The advisability of increasing the number of balls has often been mooted. From the earliest days until 1889 'the number, was four (unless otherwise agreed upon), from that date until 1900 five, and since then six. When the matter came under consideration about 70 years ago Alfred Mynn, the Kentish giant, "a man of splendid physique, when asked his opinion, drew himself up to his full height, and exclaimed, in his Porthos-like way: " For myself, I should prefer a hundred balls to the over." But Alfred always was generous. The outstanding features of the first tour of ah Australian team in England are still remembered so vividly by middleaged cricketers that it seems difficult to realise that 40 years have passed since Spofforth, Murdoch, Blackham, and others were seen for the first time here. A EUDIi AWAKENING. It mav be recalled that during the tour of Lillywhite's team in 1876-77 an English side was beaten for the first time on level terms by Australia. Evidently, however, the event made but littl« impression on the memory of followers of the game in this country, for when the Australians landed at Liverpool in 1878 their arrival caused_Jn.lt httle comment, and when they were beaten by Notts in the opening match of their tour people took it as a matter of course. There was a very rude awakening. Proceeding to London, the colonials met a very strong side of theM.C.C. at Lord's, and, 'dismissing them for 33 and 19, won the game in a single day m decisive fashion. The event created an immense sensation, and it is not too much to say ■that the match marked the commencement of a very important epoch m the history of cricket. . It at once became recognised, everywhere that a new power had arisen in the cricketing world, and that the. supremacy of England at a game which had always been considered peculiarly her own was seriously challenged. THE "DEMON BOWLER" ARISES. The success of 'the team was assured, and everywhere crowds flocked to see Spofforth. "The Demon," by his bowline at Lord's, at once jumped into public favor and notoriety, although Boyle, who had proved far more effective in this country than he had ever been on the harder" wickets of Australia, had slightly ■the better figures on that historic occasion- , ~ ,„ It must be patent to anyone able, to recall the doings of the earlier Australian teams that there were giants m those days. The manner in winch Blackham stood close to the wicket against the las test bowling electrified Englishmen, whilst Spofforth, as a match-winning force, was second to "W.G-." Murdoch, who came over in 1878 as reserve wicket-keeper, developed into the best of the Australian batsmen, and Garrett, Palmer, Bonnor, Boyle, George Giffen, and others caused themselves to bo placed among the- immortals of Australian cricket. EXTRAVAGANT PRAISE GIVEN.

When Palmer camo over for the first time his accomplishments as a bowler were heralded in the most extravagant fashion by Bonnor, whose unstinted praise struck terror into the hearts of a small circle of acquaintances to whom the great man was holding forth. Bonnor, however, was the most boastful of men, -and he nullified —or, rather, considerably lessened—the effect of the impression he had made by adding airily: •' So fur as I myself am concerned, 1 couid play him all day with a toothpick!" The confession came as n, great relief to his hearers; but Palmer was nevertheless destined to obtain numerous triumphs. The cricket rivalry between New Softth. Wales and Victoria has always been keen, and a very amusing instance occurred respecting the selection of one of the earlier Australian teams. Boyle, one qj' the soundest judges of cricket, took exception to the choice of one invited for the trip, and just as the team was leaving Melbourne he handed a sealed envelope to a friend, saying: " When we have played our first game in England, open this, and you will find the name of the man who will prove the failure of the side." The friend waited until the result of the match with Oxforl University was received, and then, opening the envelope, read the name of H. H. Massie —who had scored 2C6 by most brilliant cricket in his first great match on English soil! Seldom can prophecy have proved so hopelessly wrong, for Massie was destined to play many splendid innings, and his hitting powers were much appreciated by all. Another amusing circumstance respecting the selection of a player occurred a few years later when Kenny Burn, the Tasm'anian batsman, was chosen as second wicket-keeper. It was not until the team had sailed that the discovery was made that Burn had never kept wicket in his Jiftl