Empire Cricket Booklet

'OLD CADDY' AND 'KROM' HENDRICKS

to the side's departure and to raise funds for the professionals. The Cape Times announced on 30 March that the All-Comers XI would include Hendricks and Lohmann. The Cape Argus thought the selection contradicted the view that no man of colour should be selected for a representative team, but recognised the benefits in the official side having a 'warm time of it' against Hendricks and Lohmann operating in tandem. Then, on 31 March, 'Vollie' van der Bijl withdrew from the touring squad and with great insensitivity was immediately 'given a place in the All-Comers team in place of Hendricks'. Two days later, Lohmann wrote a letter to the Cape Times

Very little went right on the tour which proved a financial failure. Its collapse was only avoided through assistance received from steamship companies and South African businessmen in England. The team 'won a splendid victory over a fair M.C.C. eleven' at Lord's but lacked players who could draw the crowds. 43 The fact was quickly seized upon by Cadwallader, who accompanied the side as press representative for several South African newspapers. 'Certainly everywhere we went,' he observed, 'we were asked why we didn't bring Hendricks with us. It was surprising how the general public had got to know about his reputation.' 44

An artist's anticipation of the arrival of the South African cricketers in England in 1894 ( Cricket Field)

Castens ruefully commented that English crowds 'have been disappointed with us because we are none of us black'. He was perfectly frank in explaining the non-selection of Hendricks. 'In England,' he said 'the colour question never crops up - with us it is always doing so. I don't defend it, merely say what is a fact

to announce his withdrawal and a special committee (Alf Richards, Castens and Steytler) was deemed necessary 'to fill up vacancies for the All-Comers team'. Despite this precaution, Van der Bijl 'for some reason or other failed to put in an appearance' on the day of the match. 42