Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/295

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
248
OUT-DOOR GAMES

batting; true, good-length bowling; smart fielding; a decisive result, and, if possible, a close finish. I cannot help thinking that the County Captains have lost an opportunity. Not one word have they as a body said on the curse of cricket, the abnormal run-getting, but instead of this they attempt by a high-handed usurpation of power to drive certain bowlers out of cricket, driving one more nail into the unfortunate bowlers, to add to the already colossal number of runs.

I warn the batsmen that, if they persist in their opposition to all reform, the interest of the public will ultimately flag, and the reforms will then be brought about by a revolution and not by constitutional methods: if cricketers are wise, they will anticipate this change rather than provoke it.