Empire Cricket Booklet

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'OLD CADDY' /,ND 'KROM' HENDRICKS

Speculation invariably centred on whether Hendricks should be chosen. Cadwallader, who had a dual responsibility as sports editor of the Cape Times and secretary of the SACA, boldly promoted the player's inclusion. He was encouraged by a comment made by Read who had led the 1891/92 tour: 'If you send a team, send Hendricks; he will be a drawcard and is to my mind the Spofforth of South Africa.' 13 Those in favour of selecting Hendricks were also able to point out that he was easily the fastest bowler in South Africa. The only player who rivalled him in terms of pace was Natal's Peter Madden who had been labelled a 'chucker' and was not considered for the tour. E. J. L. Platnauer, the sports editor of the Standard and Diggers News, was persuaded that Hendricks was essential to the team's success. Interest in the fast bowler grew quickly and in January 1894, Reuters carried a message which was published in newspapers throughout South Africa: 'With regard to the proposed cricketing team for England, the [Transvaal] papers strongly advocate the inclusion of Hendricks, the Malay fast bowler, in the tearn.' 14 It was the late intrusion of the WPCU that placed a different complexion on the tour. They were the provincial body that would be called upon to nominate Hendricks, a step that they were unlikely to take. There were references to the fact that players might object to travelling with 'a coloured man on equal social terms'. One report some years after the tour stated that when a 'prominent coloured player' was considered 'several other men declared they would rather stay than go with him'. However, none of the players ultimately chosen was quoted as voicing a complaint prior to selection. 15 Cadwallader reacted dramatically to growing concern by suggesting through the Cape Times that Hendricks could be taken as 'baggage-man'. In that role, Cadwallader argued, 'there could be absolutely no objection to Hendricks on account of his being a Malay'. What might be interpreted as an unfortunate suggestion seemed to be a calculated attempt to bring the issue into the open. Cadwallader wanted Hendricks to be given a public hearing, an assertion that is supported by a prompt - and possibly pre arranged - response in the next edition of the daily newspaper. Hendricks was insistent on disclaiming

'Regular Demon' Emerges at the Cape

It is unknown how long Cadwallader harboured an interestintakingaplayerofcolour toEngland.Hehad certainly been encouraged by the performance of the Malay XI against Walter Read's team at Newlands. Seeing the English struggle to cope with the pace of 'Krom' Hendricks might then and there have convinced him that he had found a player who would be of interest to audiences overseas. He regarded the loose-limbed fast bowler as 'a regular "demon" with his very swift deliveries' . The dismissal of the English batsman, Jack Hearne, had caused the crowd to gasp in astonishment. Cadwallader recalled: 'J. T. Hearne, who had been very venturesome, had his off-stump shot some yards out of the ground in trying to drive a fast ball from Hendricks.' 9 Another of the English players, George Hearne, described Hendricks as being 'the fastest bowler in South Africa ... I was in a long time withJack Hearne but it wasn't pleasant. The balls flew over our heads in all directions...' 10 On 1 November 1893, Cadwallader initiated contro versy with guns blazing by nominating the sixteen players that he thought should tour England. He chose Hendricks as one of a quartet that he believed should spearhead the bowling and then followed up the shadow selection by suggesting that 'the inclusion of a Malay, may cause rabid colonists to change colour'. A few days later, he published a letter that called on players to avail themselves for the tour.11 Early in 1894, Cadwallader asked the major centres to consider likely candidates and submit nominations from their area to the national selection committee. They were also asked to choose the side that they believed would be best equipped to represent South Africa on an overseas tour. In the weeks that followed, there was much discussion as to the composition of the team. Throughout this period, Cadwallader maintained 'constant communication' with Charles Alcock in England and 'hoped that any player selected to represent South Africa will not be prevented from any cause from playing'. 12