Though one of the results of the war has been
to render our national addiction to pastime somewhat suspect, cricket certainly does not seem to have impaired the fibre of the Australians, several distinguished English amateurs have borne themselves gallantly at the front, and two well-known county players have been killed in action. Some of us may think that a great deal too much time is spent on " coaching " boys in cricket at fashionable preparatory schools, but all are agreed that in the interests of British sportsmanship the rules of a great game should be honestly observed. The decisive, though somewhat tardy, action of the captains of the first- class counties in " naming " a number of unfair bowlers deserves the support of all true lovers of fair play, though the real credit of forcing on the crisis belongs to the professional umpire Phillips, who on several occasions in recent seasons courageously exercised the invidious privilege of " no-balling " notorious offenders. At the same time, one cannot but admit that a good deal may be said for legalising throwing, or that the indisputable predominance of the modern batsman on modern pitches over the modern bowler is likely to be further enhanced by the proscription of the unfair bowler.
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