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94 to finish the whole match. I cannot agree with the people who argue thus. To begin with, it is true that one match was finished in three hours, but whatever practicable change is made it is hardly likely that any more astonishing result will ensue. But the great point that reformers take is that you must not legislate for cricket in wet weather, but for cricket in hot summer days and on hard wickets, when both cricketers and spectators enjoy the game, and under the only possible circumstances that cricket is enjoyable. I venture to think that cricket reform will not make very much difference in the scoring on soft bowlers' wickets. As I have said, no reform would produce a smaller scoring match than Middlesex and Somerset match of last year.

It may be stated at once that altering the rules, and perhaps the implements, of the game involve questions on which the greatest possible differences of opinion exist, and no doubt that is one reason why the M.C.C. are slow to move; and there is another reason, namely, that the actual first-class players who rightly are consulted, for the most part are inclined, according as they are batsmen or bowlers, to look at the matter from