Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/141

110 father of the present Essex professional, made himself famous.

Critics of the game have argued with some truth that too much time is wasted. Matches ought to begin at 10.30 and go on to 7, with only an interval of three-quarters of an hour. Without going into the question too minutely, whilst admitting some time is wasted, it must be remembered that there is a limit to the powers or endurance of the human frame. Bowlers, especially on these hot days and on perfect, hard wickets, cannot and ought not to be called upon to bowl more than thirty overs a day, and if you began at 10.30, got three hours' play before luncheon and four hours and a half after, you may not be able to get the side out, and your fast bowlers will have far too hard a day. All of us who have ever played know the feeling of lassitude that comes over us half-an-hour before luncheon and an hour before drawing the stumps. The Eton and Harrow match is hardly ever finished in two days, and several times there has been nearly eight hours' play on the second day; and though boys' pluck may carry them through and enable them to play up to the end, it would