Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/120

Rh is possible for cricket in England, and I repeat, what has been remarked elsewhere, that even in Australia, where apparently time is no object, it would be an advantage to curtail the matches to three days. Many drawn matches prove several things, but there is one fact especially that I wish to dwell upon, namely, that they prove that the balance between batting and bowling is destroyed. When innings of over 250 are played, there is a triumph of batting over the bowling, and when this is continually occurring interest in the game must diminish; in other words, it is not a game in the strict sense, it is only an exhibition of batting, much as a football match, when one side scores ten goals to nothing, it is not a game, only an exhibition of goal getting.

I have heard it constantly remarked by some people who appear unable to satisfy themselves that reform is necessary, that we ought to possess our souls in patience and wait for a wet season, then it will be seen that so far from the bat triumphing over the ball, the boot will be on the other leg; there will be a series of small scoring matches, the Middlesex and Somerset match at Lord's being alluded to, when three hours sufficed