HUMOURS OF CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2555, 24 November 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

HUMOURS OF CRICKET.

When the Prince of Wales first came to reside in Sandringhatn in the character of a country gentleman, cricket was a great institution in the country of Norfolk, and the local magnates of the game conceived the idea that with a little management and humouring they might make a cricketer, or at least a cricket enthusiast, of the Prince, although, hitherto, he had shown no inclination in that direction. The subject was therefore brought forward on every available occasion, aud the conspirators wore so far successful that, after a little private tuition and practice, it was arranged that the Prince should make his debut in a match specially got up for his benefit at Sandringhatn. Mr Charles Wright the captain of the opposing eleven, a man of the most imposing dignity and solemnity of manner, went round privately to all his men, and put before each individual in the most impressive and serious fashion the necessity for letting the Prince have a chance, and helping him to run up a nice little score, which might conduce to that self-satisfaction so essential to enthusiasm iu any pursuit. All went well the Prince came to take his innings, when Mr Wright, being the bowler, after all his elaborate cautions to others, either forgetting his rdle, or unable to resist the temptation to add to his fame, incontinently bowled him out the first ball, and so ended for ever the hopesof royal patronage for the cricketing fraternity, for the Priuce could never be prevailed upon to play again. Mr Wright, when chaffed on the circumstance in after years, would shake his massive head in a melancholy and deprecatory manner, but never offer a word of explanation as to his action in the matter. The report of the affair in the local paper was a masterpiece in its way : " The Prince took a position at the wiuket. Mr Wright delivered a Lall. The Prince retired to the pavilion."