Empire Cricket Booklet

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JAMES LOGAN

Kotze wrote: 'I wish Conan Doyle had done his fair share of fighting instead of starting a controversy in the press.' 94 It was an inopportune statement to make considering Conan Doyle's contribution to the war effort, but one born out of the frustrations faced in embarking on the 1901 tour. Acting in the diplomatic role as team ambassador, captain Murray Bisset explained the raison d'etre of the tour, upon its conclusion in August 1901: Two years ago Mr. Logan arranged with Lord Hawke for the tour of a South African team in England, but the war came and upset everything. Later, when Lord Roberts left South Africa and said that the war was practically at an end, Mr. Logan again arranged a tour. Then came the second invasion of the Cape Colony, and we did not know what to do. But most of the team volunteered for military duties and when the invasion was repelled, and everybody thought that there would be no more trouble, we promised to go with the team. All arrangements had been made in England for the tour, and we did not see how we could back out of it, especially as announcements were continually being made by the authorities, that the war, as a war, was over. 95 The timing of the tour was not the only controversial aspect. The press also criticised the team because it was not a fully fledged South African side. It was, as some suggested, essentially a private venture organised by Logan and made up of players largely from the Cape, including his own son. 96 It is significant to point out though that, unlike the 1894 team, this side was granted first-class status by the MCC. 97 Had they begun the tour with minor matches in order to adjust to the turf wickets, they might have done better. The poor start weighed heavily against the ultimate success of the tour. 98 Logan, the 'Squire of the Southern Karoo', returned to South Africa having achieved a long-held ambition by leading his own cricket tour to the home of the 'empire game'. In July 1902, he received the ultimate accolade when he and his wife were invited to the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at Westminster Abbey. 99 There were invitations too to the Colonial Reception at St James' Palace hosted

by the Prince and Princess of Wales and attended by royalty and an array of dignitaries from around the empire. 100 Logan's contribution to British affairs in South Africa had been formally recognised. By the end of the South African War, his social elevation was complete.

Conclusion

Having completed the 1901 tour to England, Logan's name was now synonymous with South African cricket. His association with Lord Hawke's tours and his publicised support of the game as well as imperial policies in South Africa brought plaudits from peers and media alike. The year 1902 saw the end of the war and, seemingly, Logan at the height of his success. It led the Lakeside Press to exclaim: Probably no single individual has done more on the behalf of good sport, and particularly cricket, in South Africa than the Hon. James Douglas Logan, member of the Legislative Council for the Northwestern Circle of the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. Logan's name is a household word amongst cricketers throughout the length and breadth of the land. And well it may be. Not only has he consistently striven to raise the standard of the game by active personal participation, but he has been mainly instrumental in bringing to the country some of the best available English teams, notably two captained by Lord Hawke, and has given unstintingly of his great wealth to the same end. 101 Such praise could only enhance Logan's political and business careers. Cricket had been good to him and his association with the game raised his profile on all levels. Despite forays into the shady world of 'money' politics, Logan's public reputation was that of a sportsman, a true colonial, and there was little reason for anyone to question either his success or his motives. There is little doubting the business acumen of James Logan, and his eagerness to be seen as South African cricket's principal benefactor is evident from the high-profile tours in which he involved himself. The trophies, the donations, the support of worthy causes all helped to enhance Logan's reputation as