CORRESPONDENCE.

BRIGHTER CRICKET.

[To me Eorroa or THE " BrEcuarolt."] Soh —Every ordinary person knows—and what the Intellectuals think about it doesn't matter as few of them are-sportsmen- that the war has been won by the Sporting Spirit of the British Nations. Nothing, therefore, could be more important thee that our national games should accurately reflect the true genius of our race. The brightening of cricket is, as the politicians would say, "a measure of first-class importance," and it is necessary, as the politicians would also say, "to establish a basis of discussion." Many proposals have beau put forward, but they only scratch the surface of the problem. What do we mean by brightening cricket? We mean that the game should be played in such a manner as to satisfy the spectators, the Democracy. They are the taxpayers in the case, and the right to call the tune is theirs. The lions in the path are the autocratic powers 'of the captain and of the umpire. When these are abolished the rules don't matter and the will of the spectators can be enforced. Suppose, for instance, a bowler has "found a spot," and the casualties among popular batsmen are deplorably numerous, the epectaters would naturally put on a less deadly bowler and the game would be brightened. Suppose, again, that two batsmen on a " plumb" wicket have established complete mastery over the bowlers, the batsmen might be ordered to play tip and run so as to restore an equilibrium disturbed by conditions in no way due to the skill of the batsmen. Jessop might be run out before he had received a ball through the mistaken judgment of a batsman who had no charm for the spectators. In this case the umpire would be overruled and Jessop reinstated at the dull batsman's expense. In short, the powe, of brightening any particular match would be in the hands of the people most interested—i.e., the spectator. It may be regarded as certain that drawn matches—except through wet weather—would be unknown. The spectators would insist on a finish. A healthy rivalry would be created between the spectators at, say, Lord's, the Oval, and Old Trafford as to which ground should gain the distinction of producing the brightest cricket. And the place of honour at the end of the season would be secured by the team which had by common consent given the greatest pleasure to the greatest number of people.

Old Stagers may recoil slightly at first from the proposed reforms, but on reflection they will come to realize that fixed rules and bright cricket are destructive of one another; ale relying on the sporting spirit of the Democracy, the Old Stagers will reconcile themselves to change with changing times. Not only would the spectators come into their own and enjoy more vivacious cricket, but a wider public would share their pleasure in reading the accounts of the matches. The following summary of a game under the new dispensation should not be ineapab:o of realization

YORKSHIRE a. MIDDLESEX.

The second day of this match found the game in a very bright condition, and a large crowd gathered at Lord's to assist

in the dgnouement, which it was generally agreed should take place before lunch. It will be remembered that a day's hilarious cricket in which three innings had been completed and during which the spectators had frequently burst into popular songs—the most popular being " It's a long, long way to the Pavilion "—had left Middlesex with 195 runs to get in order to beat their Northern opponents. Heavy rain had fallen during the night and a fierce sun had been beatiug on the wicket from an early hour.

The spectators having made an inspection of the pitch, were addressed by Captain Warner and the Yorkshire captain, both of whom made admirable speeches sparkling with bright sportsmanship. The Hon. Robert Lyttelton replied on behalf of the spectators, who were in fine form.

It was decided that the game should be finished by two o'clock, the only dissentient being Colonel the Hon. F. S. Jackson, M.P., who pointed out that it would be more con- venient for Members of the House of Commons who had questions on the paper if the game were concluded by 1.90. His view was opposed by Mr. Horatio Bottomley, who spoke on behalf of a London constituency as well as in his capacity of speetator, and Colonel Jackson's objection was negatived without a division.

It was also decided that the value of a hit over the boundary should be ten runs.

In order to encourage Mr. Bailsturnp, the Cambridge wicket- keeper, who was making his first appearance in c inty cricket, it was decided that byes should not count.

In view of the difficult nature of the wicket the stumps were driven one inch deeper than normal into the ground. It was decided that there should be no umpires, all appeals being decided by the spectators.

The Executive Committee of the Yorkshire XI. entrusted the attack to Wilfrid Rhodes (Nursery End) and Jack Tyke (Pavilion End). Tyke is a colt who has been taking a great number of wickets in Club cricket, but there is a slight suspicion that in his delivery he flexes his wrist unduly, and the spectators decided to watch his delivery very closely and, if necessary, to submit it to the test of the cinematograph, a cinematographer being on the spot for the purpose. This is one of many instances of the great improvement effected by the new r4gime. In the old days the question would have been left to the unaided eye of the umpire to decide.

The greatest enthusiasm prevails, and the spectators are confident that the match will reflect redounding credit on Lord's, the cradle of the national game.

Thus the position stands at the time of writing.

A full account of the game will appear in later editions of Evening Stunts. with the opinions and photographs of well-known spectators.

—I am, Sir, Ac., Psacr CREED. P.S.—All sportsmen agree that the alien and degrading wort "camouflage" must not be used in connexion with cricket.— P. C.

[Captain Creed's effort in irony represents a truth that should not be forgotten. His own cricket, at all events, was bright enough under the old rules, as followers of Public School cricket—particularly those who saw him make 200 for Marlborough against Rugby at Lord's—will remember.—En. Spectator.]