Page:Out-door Games Cricket and Golf (1901).djvu/147

116 Mr. Champain had been willing to run risks he would have declared the Oxford innings at an end perhaps an hour before, at 2.30, in which case Cambridge would have had about three hours and three-quarters to get about 240 runs. The wicket, however, was perfect, amateurs were bowling, and the Oxford captain would not run the risk of declaring the innings at an end. He thought that there was more probability of Cambridge getting the runs than of Oxford getting them out, so he went on batting.

The M.C.C. have now passed, or at any rate recommended, that any innings may be declared at an end at luncheon on the second day. When a strong side wins the toss and goes in, and at luncheon on the second day has got 700 runs, this new rule will very likely enable the match to be finished. One side is very strong and the other weak; the weak side may be got out twice in a day and a half and be defeated in one innings; but in one day this may not be possible. But these are exceptional circumstances, and in practice this change will not often be found of any use. As far as the abolition of drawn games is concerned, I do not think that any rule as to