Empire Cricket Booklet

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JONTY WINCH AND RICHARD PARRY

father and some of his colleagues were so impressed with his potential that they raised the money to send him to England for a trial with Hampshire. In other words, he went to England on the same basis that Basil D'Oliveira did, and like Basil has done, he made a success of it. Mind you, I wouldn't say he was quite as educated or cultured as Basil is.' 41 Llewellyn Becomes an Overseas Professional Llewellyn left for England on 15 April 1899, a week after a farewell match was held for him. He was presented with a purse of gold which was described as 'a tangible mark of the esteem in which he is held by Natal cricketers'. 42 Jack Williams chose to twist Bowen's account of Llewell yn 's alleged ostracism by writing: 'It is thought that [Llewellyn] decided to play county cricket in England because of his irritation over the racist sneers that other South African Test cricketers, in particular the Transvaal batsman Jimmy Sinclair, made about his colour and their suggestions that he was not white.' 43 The generosity of the Natalians and the interest shown by Hampshire made Llewellyn aware that his talents could earn him money. He was not the first South African to play county cricket and there is an interesting parallel with Cyril Sewell who, like Llewellyn, was born and brought up in Pietermaritzburg where he had the benefit of playing in their organised junior cricket. Sewell was the son of an Old Marlburian and known as 'Skilly' - a nickname meaning a thin, mixed gruel that could have arisen from his slight build and dark complexion; there again, any one of a number of contractions might have been used in the case of this 'skil(ful)' sportsman. 44 Sewell was seventeen years old and a pupil at Maritzburg College when he represented the first-ever Natal rugby side in 1892. 45 Two years later, he was selected for the South African overseas cricket tour. He departed a month before the rest of the team, thereby missing the Currie Cup tournament that was played in March 1894. Unlike Llewellyn, Sewell never played cricket for Natal but was still treated to a farewell ceremony at which the governor presented him with 'a handsome gold

representative team is a misfortune that some of the big wigs at the Cape, one may reasonably think, would have seen to. 37 This unavailability may also have been based on Llewellyn's possible belief that the Western Province would not select him for racist reasons and that he did not want the issue debated publicly. Within a few days, much interest was being shown in Llewell yn . Major R. M. Poore had, whilst stationed in South Africa, been 'much struck with his play' and wrote to Hampshire 'advising them to offer the young cricketer an engagement'. 38 The county cabled their interest to Llewellyn who was inclined to reject the offer. No reason was given but his home-town newspaper, the Natal Witness, expressed concern, stating that 'the chance is a splendid one'. In a paternalistic piece aimed at influencing a talented son, it continued: 'I hear that now opportunity offers, Master "Buck" is inclined to hold back. Much as we in Natal should regret to lose the services of such a brilliant performer ... [he] would, I fear, be laying himself open to the charge of standing in the way of his own advancement if he allowed the chance to slip ... many of his friends are of the opinion that he would be ill-advised ...' 39 Views varied with regard to Llewellyn's decision. The Cape press, which was inevitably close to the Western Province cricketing establishment, seemed unimpressed with his attitude and gave no thought to problems that might have prompted his actions. Use was made of a report that emanated from Durban: 'Much regret is felt among the sporting community that Llewellyn finds it inconvenient to accept both engagements.' 40 The Transvaal cricket authorities saw an opportunity to strengthen their squad and there was speculation that Llewellyn would move to the Rand in 1899. This did not materialise because of Llewell yn 's sudden change of mind. The Natalians were determined to fend off the Transvalers, although Dan Taylor's intervention in encouraging Llewellyn to accept the Hampshire offer was probably on the basis that he wished to do what was best for the young player. Herby Taylor later recalled: 'I can't remember who it was that discovered "Buck", but I do know that my