AN INTERVIEW WITH RANJITSINHJI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1291, 26 November 1896, Page 11

AN INTERVIEW WITH RANJITSINHJI.

An interesting interview with Prince Eanjitsinhji appears in the current numborof the Strand Magazine. Speaking of the English counties, the Prince said:—" Oh their season's all-round form, I think that Surrey is the best team. Hero, also, I might add, upon a good wicket. Yorkshire, on the other hand, are the best team upon a bad wicket. Another thing is, that I consider that if Kichardson were take* out of the Surrey team they would drop back considerably. Richardson is a grand bowler, and in his absence the county eleven would suffer an almost irretrievable loss. Of course, the same may be said of others beyond Surrey. For instance, if you were to take Mold out of the Lancashire team, the result would be th© same. No, Ido Hot think Yorkshire would be affected in the same manner if any one particular bowler were withdrawn. They have a first-class reserve to fall back ■npon, and are, in fact, a fine all-round batting, bowling and fielding side." The Australian Eleven, in his opinio!*, was very good all-round ; " but the batting, a* awhole, was superior to the bowling." '" I should say," he added, " that they area better team than any other I have seen, with one exception, in the bowling of the 1888 eleven. At that time Turner and Ferris, were at their best."

" Yes, I can bowl a little," he said in answer to a question. "In fact, I was very successful when I first commenced playing for Sussex. Now, however, Mr Murdoch does not care to put me on, as ho is afraid I should spoil my batting. Mr Stoddart, of Middlesex, is not put on to bowl, I believe, for the same cause, so we sympathise with each other for +he harsh treatmen t of our respective captains. My style ? I should describe it as being a slow medium, with a break from the off."

Aa a final question, the Prince was asked if he could tell how he had been so successful at such an early period of his career. "Luck," was the laughing response. "I commenced my practice very carty. I am shooting through the winter, and so keep myself fit, and in April I am at tbo nets. Hut luck is everything with a cricketer. If lie has that and a little skill, he has little to fear."