WISDEN AND THE TRIANGULAR SCHEME.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 991, 4 March 1909, Page 10

WISDEN AND THE TRIANGULAR SCHEME.

In “ Wisden’s Almanac for 1909.” the editor thus touches on the triangular scheme: “Personally, I was always on the side of the Australians To tell the truth, the triangular scheme was put forward too much in a hurry. Tn the idea itself there was a certain fascination. and the important issues involved scarcely received suffic’ent consideration. Moreover, when the draft scheme had been prepared, there was a tendency to overlook th fact that before anything was known o' Mr Bailey’s project, the counties had. in response to a circular from the M-C.C-. unproved unanimously of a visit from the Australians in 1909. It seemed to me quite a mistaken policy to force the .Australians into the tournament against their will. Having come to England at regular intervals since 1878, the Australians ihad the first claim to consideration, and I am strongly of opinion that nothing should ve been done in the way of arranging details until their consent to take part in the tournament had been received. From the first they held the key to the situation. They have been accused of acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, but I cannot see that they exceeded their right in asking that before they met the South Africans in England, the South Africans should pay a visit to Australia. “ The question is now being looked at in a far more reasonable way, and as Mr. Lacey announced at the secretaries’ meeting at Lord’s, it is hoped to hold a conference between representatives of England, Australia, and '"’mith Africa, at which the whole matter can be gone into. While it lasted the controversy provoked an immense amount of newspaper comment. For the most part the case was fairly argued from every point o' view, but certain over-zealous people in Johannesburg, including, it would seem. Mr. Abe Bailey himself, went so far as to suggest that the Australians declined the triangular tournament because they were afraid to meet the South Africans. This attitude would have been offensive if it had not been so transparently absurd. The Australians have their faults, but lack of courage is assuredly not one of- them!”