Empire Cricket Booklet

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JONTYWINCH

scored 63 (out of 117) and an unbeaten 126 (out of 224 for 4), given a lively display behind the stumps, and captured key wickets as a bowler to inspire an historic victory for the Transvaal. The Star described him at the time as 'far and away the best bat in South Africa', but he had also been viewed as an attractive publicity proposition for the expedition that Cecil John Rhodes was organising to occupy territory north of the Limpopo.Bl Within weeks, he was ensnared by Rhodes's Chartered Company, seen by some as a callous business enterprise known for its 'carelessness of the welfare of the individual'. 82 Bowden's role as a pioneer opening a new territory of the empire was an unhappy personal experience but added lustre to his fame as a cricketer. Cadwallader identified him as an important drawcard needed to attract the necessary financial backing and fixtures for the proposed overseas tour. The fearful weather that struck Mashonaland in early 1891 and caused men to lose heart gave Cadwallader reason to believe he could persuade the cricketer to return to South Africa. His difficulty was that cricket's authorities would not contemplate a fee for Bowden's services. Ironically, journalists of the time maintained an almost fanatical observance of amateur ideals. When four Transvaal cricketers dared submit an expense account to their union, they were reprimanded by the Star. 'It is unsportsmanlike in the extreme,' said the newspaper, with the accompanying threat that if the players should be compensated, 'they must not be surprised if in future matches they see their names figuring in the score without the usual "Mr"'_B 3 For Cadwallader, a trip to Mashonaland to discuss cricket matters with Bowden was not out of the question. The territory was of major interest and it suited the Cape Times to have a man on the spot. Cricket's administrators were informed that Cadwallader would be away for several months as his newspaper had agreed that he should update views on gold prospects, the growing impatience with the Chartered Company, the findings of an investigation by the controversial Randolph Churchill, the aftermath of the British-Portuguese conflict - and lure Bowden back to South Africa.

Cricket Association. In September 1890, he cancelled the proposed Lillywhite tour to South Africa, stating that he did so because Cape Town was not prepared to pay its portion of the guarantee. The situation became very embarrassing for him: Charles Finlason wrote that Johannesburg, Kimberley, Pretoria and Natal had provided guarantees and that Port Elizabeth preferred a South African tournament but would go with the majority. Cape Town's advocate (later Sir) Thomas Lynedoch Graham then announced on behalf of his province: We have nothing at all to do with the actions of the hon secretary of the South African Cricket Association, Cape Town's cricketers not having yet formally joined this body. This gentleman (whom, it is only fair to say, has done a deal for cricket in South Africa) was appointed hon. secretary at a meeting held at Kimberley, con sequently he is a representative of Kimberley, rather than of Cape Town, and as such they are bound by his actions. Truly, this appears to me to be a striking instance of chickens coming home to roost. 79 Cadwallader's resilience enabled him to bounce back six months later with his own proposal for an English tour. At the April 1891 meeting of the South African Cricket Association, he spoke of Lord Sheffield bringing out a team that would include W. G. Grace. He described the arrangement as 'a chance probably only to be got once in a lifetime; every nerve should be strained to secure such a visit'. Cadwallader maintained the tour was vital to stimulate interest in the South African game but his plans ran into opposition.Bo Misgivings arose because the British rugby team was visiting during the winter months of 1891. It was argued that the relatively small white population could not cope with the costs and organisation involved in staging two major tours in the same year. The setbacks merely increased Cadwallader's resolve to make an impression and he switched his focus to an overseas tour. He looked to build his side around Bowden, who had turned the first Currie Cup Challenge in April 1890 into a personal triumph. England's youngest-ever captain had