Empire Cricket Booklet

JONTYWINCH

all, Cadwallader was the only candidate and press reports had already indicated that it was a formality that he would be chosen. The other unions were not initially aware that Milton opposed the appointment of Cadwallader and needed time to choose and then promote another candidate. The Cape Argus was the first to express its surprise that 'Western Province' should treat Cadwallader so shabbily, as he had done more than anyone to put South African cricket on its feet. 'It is whispered,' said the report,'that the Western Province Cricket Union committee after having opposed the scheme at the outset, having got a majority of selections in the team, a Western Province man as skipper [Herbert H. Castens], and the Western Province Cricket Club colours adopted for the tour, want also to dictate about the managership and are nominating a "special" of their own fancy.' 36 Cadwallader responded by publishing an open letter in which he appealed to the guarantors of the English tour not 'to throw him overboard, after working so hard in bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion'. He said that he was being overlooked in favour of Simkins 'in consequence of the machinations of a clique about whose actions I could "a tale unfold'". Cadwallader might well have known the full story of Rhodes' s involvement in the drama. He was probably afraid to mention the prime minister, but spoke out bravely against Milton who, he said, had 'privately exerted influence to induce other unions for that gentleman [Simkins] against myself' . 37 The WPCU officially nominated W. V. Simkins to stand against Cadwallader. The national votes for the two candidates were divided equally but Cadwallader withdrew, stressing that he did not care to identify himself with the candidature for the management unless he received unanimous, or almost unanimous, support. He was later paid £50 and reimbursed out-of-pocket expenses to conclude another unfortunate episode. An editorial in the Cape Times referred to the tour' s'regrettable controversies' [which] ought not to have happened of course, but we are passing through an era of squalls in which influenza and Laboucheres and explosive bombs must play their part to remind the world that the

reign of peace is not yet. But we could have wished the movement had been spared the slur of murky surroundings at a time when it needed all favouring auspices.' 38 Politician and cricket benefactor J. Douglas Logan, who had enjoyed a 'magnificent majority at the poll due to the coloured vote' was 'strongly in favour of the best team that South Africa can send of whatever class or colour, as most likely to ensure a successful tour'. He believed that Hendricks should have been selected and then announced that he was withdrawing his guarantee on account of Cadwallader being discarded. 39 It was hoped that the influential Bailey would speak out on the question of sending Hendricks, but he reserved a final decision on the matter until he had met with Milton at the Currie Cup tournament towards the end of March. Bailey admitted thereafter that he had 'yielded somewhat to the very good argument that, after all, our men were going to England to learn rather than with the hope of achieving any great glory. Under these circumstances, it was argued, it was not absolutely necessary to lift a coloured man up on account of the moral effect it might have on the whole coloured population ...' 40 Milton did not attend the meeting of the SACA which was held during the Currie Cup tournament, but Castens, who represented him, was well briefed on the innumerable problems that had arisen in the aftermath of the De Aar meeting. An important development to occur was the ruling that in the future the national body'should be managed by a committee of three members of the union holding the Currie Cup'. 41 As Western Province had emerged triumphant in the tournament, they formed a new committee that comprised Milton, Smuts and Steytler. It was clear that Castens had pushed all the right buttons and most notably secured the removal of Cadwallader as secretary of SACA. The game was effectively in the hands of Milton and the Cape Colony government, although the arrangement was reliant on the Western Province side winning the Currie Cup. In early April, a match was arranged for the South African touring team against an All-Comers XI at Newlands. It sought to provide practice prior