Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/119

92 become a rare exception, drawn matches will not take place unless caused by bad weather.

It is perhaps necessary, before discussing the particular measures of reform, to state broadly that in England it is impossible to prolong the duration of matches to more than three days. Speaking personally and quite apart from considerations of gate-money, I should greatly prefer to see the majority of matches begun, continued, and ended in two days. If there are not many players like W. G. Quaife and Noble, it is quite possible, if no time is wasted, and if no innings exceeds 220, to occupy only two days in playing such matches, and I think I am right in saying that between 1860 and 1880 it was the fact that a majority of matches did only take two days. In summers like 1899, when nearly 50 per cent. of matches were unfinished, the wear and tear is too great, fast bowlers get worn out prematurely, like Richardson, much night travelling is a weariness to the flesh, and, worst of all, on the third day when it is obvious that a draw is and can be the only result, there is no seriousness in the game, which degenerates into burlesque. Three days is the utmost limit that