Empire Cricket Booklet

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KEITH BOOTH

for the whole of 1894. Although Tom Richardson was to spearhead their regaining of the title that year, in 1893 Surrey fell from the pinnacle it had occupied almost by divine right, losing half of its matches and slipping to fifth place in the championship.

secretary to the Richmond Athletic Association. He was also involved in the lawsuit, but had stronger links with Lohmann who wrote regularly to him during his early days in South Africa. Lohmann would, in any event, be a well-known name in South African cricket circles because of his popular association with earlier tours. His fellow Surrey professional,Maurice Read, who accompanied him to South Africa, had been part of Major Warton's team on the earlier 1888/89 tour and while it is unlikely that he would have met Logan, who at that stage was still establishing his business empire and had not begun to involve himself in cricket sponsorship, he would possibly have learned something of the healthy properties of the Karoo air. Whatever the origins of the link, it remains the case that Logan was able to offer what Lohmann required in the form of an ideal venue for medical treatment and convalescence. An association which led to a close personal friendship seems to have developed from there. Having achieved financial success and become known as the Laird of Matjiesfontein, Logan built his own private cricket ground and played an influential role in local, provincial and national cricket as well as in politics. He had guaranteed the expenses of the Western Province side which won the Currie Cup in Kimberley in November 1892. 12 It was inMatjiesfontein that Lohmann was to spend much of his time in South Africa, doubtless at times contrasting the azure blue skies, the eucalyptus, palms and agapanthus and the clarity of Logan's private reservoir with the grey panoply of London, the inner city environment of The Oval and the polluted Thames. He returned to England in 1893, but not for long. Hopes for a permanent improvement in his health were ill-founded. He suffered a relapse, was compelled to remain indoors and within ten weeks of his arrival was on his way back to South Africa, on the Mexican leaving on 19 August. Lillywhite's was to regret 'the loss of such a grand all-round cricketer as George Lohmann'. 13 The party which travelled to Southampton to wish him goodbye was optimistic that his health would be restored in time for him to play a full part in the next season. The optimism was unjustified. Lohmann was to remain in South Africa

Lohmann as a Player in South Africa

As Lohmann's health began to improve during 1894, his thoughts turned once again towards playing some cricket. He had played a little with Matjiesfontein and, in preparation for a return to a higher standard, he made a few appearances for the Cape Town Club. There was a possibility that he might play in the Currie Cup despite his lack of full recovery. However, although he was to play with distinction for Western Province the following year, in 1894 the amateur ethos prevailed and he was not allowed to play. By way of protest, he withdrew from what was loosely called a 'test match' to be played for the benefit of the professionals - Frank Hearne, Charles Mills and BonnorMiddleton - of the Cape Town and Western Province Clubs, between the team to visit England and an 'All Comers XI'. It was a decision taken some time ahead of the match, as demonstrated by the following letter to the Cape Times published onMonday 2 April: Sir- I notice in your issue of yesterday it is stated that I will play as one of the All-comers against the cricket eleven that is about to proceed to England. I some time ago declined to play in this match to leading players of both the Western Province and Cape Town cricket clubs which I think might have been sufficient but, as it does not seem to have been so, may I beg of you to contradict the statement referred to, as I will not play in this match. It is the first time in my life that I have ever refused to assist brother professionals, but under present circumstances, I think I am perfectly justified in the course I have adopted.

I am etc

George A Lohmann Matjesfontein March 30 1894