Empire Cricket Booklet

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DEAN ALLEN

The 1901 team's colours - red, blue and orange - were deliberately identical to those of the South Africa War medal ribbon. The permission of General Sir Forestier Walker had been especially obtained in order that these could be adopted. 92 In Logan's native Berwickshire, justification for the tour was provided by the local press: 'Mr Logan has, with the majority of his team, fought steadily through the campaign for eighteen months. He raised a company of rifles at Matjiesfontein in the Karoo, and has obtained leave of absence from his command for three months.' 93 The Scot's involvement in the war, like that of his players, was being embellished to exonerate the timing of the tour. In a chapter for The History of South African Cricket, published in 1915, bowler J. J.

that the South African British could stand up to any team in the world in something much nobler and better than cricket. The timing of the tour was unfortunate. Neither Logan nor any of the other organisers anticipated that the war would drag on for so long. Pressure was also placed on the South Africans by the English cricket authorities who did not want their season disrupted by a cancellation. While Logan's own position had been strengthened by SACXs decision to disband during the war, the players themselves were naturally sensitive to Conan Doyle's criticism. They pointed out in their defence that eight of the fourteen players had seen active service, whilst others had been members of various town defence forces.

James Logan and family, c1899