Empire Cricket Booklet

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GOOLAM VAHED AND VISHNU PADAYACHEE

Mr Jhinkoo, where guest speakers included Pandit D. Panday, Ally, E. G. David and S. Sanker. 61 By the end of the First World War, there was little organised cricket in Pietermaritzburg. Latest remarked on 29 November 1918 'that some years ago Pietermaritzburg was a very strong centre in cricket ... I cannot understand the apathy of Pietermaritzburg sportsmen'. 62 Cricket was also largely dormant in Durban in the immediate aftermath of the war. In December 1917 and September 1918, DDICU again wrote to Pietermaritzburg but the overtures were ignored. 63 A meeting eventually took place during the match between Pietermaritzburg and Durban at Albert Park Oval on 5 April 1920, which Durban won 'by an innings and odd'. While the parties failed to form a union, Shanker, DDICU's secretary, felt

Class, Privilege and Success Class and privilege were important in determining success on the cricket pitch. Practice facilities and financial incentives ensured that cricket was dominated by trader-sponsored clubs. Class even determined who could and could not participate in formal cricket. In November 1918, B. Nobin, M. Chinswami and T. Gabriel formed a cricket association for Durban's waiters who could not get time-off on Saturdays to play in the regular league. 67 Formal cricket was dominated by merchants and educated Indians who founded the earliest clubs and remained active as players and administrators. High registration fees constrained working-class participation and made cricket an

M. K. Gandhi (seated in the front row, fifth from the left) is pictured with players and officials of the Greyville Cricket Club in 1913

that 'matches of this nature should be encouraged as much as possible, as it will improve the standard of play and create friendly relationships between all concerned'. 66 Provincial unity would come later. A Natal Union was eventually formed in December 1923 when officials met at the home of Parsee Rustomjee.Rustomjeewaspatron,AlbertChristopher president, M. John 63 secretary, and Shaik Emamally and P. K. Govender were vice-presidents. It was agreed that the headquarters would rotate between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. 64

elitist undertaking. Even traders and educated elites struggled to pay the annual subscription of £3.3.0 per team. 68 While Indian cricketers were denied equality with whites, this did not prevent them from attempting to mimic their colonial masters and behave as gentlemen by respecting the 'rules of the game'. Players, spectators and administrators were expected to observe appropriate standards so that Indians would become 'civilised' and rightfully demand equal rights. From December 1912, teams were fined for