Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-21
MARVEL AMONG CR|CKETERS
FEATS OF "RANJI," THE FA.
NOUS INDIAN PRINCE.
Again Makes His Appearance on the
Field After Several Years
Absence.

LONDON, June 2O.-Since 1904 the Jam
Sahib Of Nawanagar (the 'Ranjf' so
dear to the hearts of all cricketers) has
not taken part in frst-class cricket, and
his appearance recently for the gentlemen
of England against the University of Ok
ford attracted record attendance for
the ground. Unfortunately, "Ranji" was
mot ft,' and he was in twenty-five min
utes for nine runs. With the exception of
". G. Grace there has never been such a
popular cricketer, not only in England.
but throughout the world. as his highness
the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. Ever since
his arrival in England last November the
burning question of the day in cricket
circles, and. indeed. to a great extent
with the general public. has been, "Will
Rapji play again?" for. in spite of his
accession to the throne Of Nawanagar
''Ranji'' will always remain in the hearts
and on the tongues of the British public.
The Jam Sahib of NawanaGar is one of
the most interesting personalities of the
day. and whether 1t be at the wicket. bat
ting as no man has ever batted before, or
In the coverts bringing off rights and
lefts' with unerring aim. or en- his lake at
Shillinglee Park fishing for trout. or in
solemn conference in his palace at Jamna-
server as man of quiet brilliance.
Ranji Never Rufled.
Who ever saw "Ranji'' ruffied or dis
turbed. even when opposed to the best
bowling in the world on a bad wicket?
With the utmost apparent ease he would
deal coolly and quietly with balls which
had easily beaten men of the highest rep
utation as bats. Every stroke which he
played would be brilliant one. yet he
dealt with the bowling so easily and quiet
ly and without effort that the bowling
was made to appear easy and the pitch
seemed a good one. until one noticed that
all the other batsmen were ficundering
about helplessly, trying to defend their
wicke.s.
There is a good story told of the Jam
When just before the varsity match he
played against Cambridge. Mr.. Napier
one Of the best amateur bOwlers in Eng
land sent down a magnificent ball. which
would have bowled ninety-nine men of
every hundred. The Jam, with the great
est ease and deliberation f1icked II away
between hts legs and the wicket to the
boundary. an unorthodox stroke and one
which would have been a fuke il any one
but "Ranji' had played it, The Cam
bridge captain went up and demonstrated
with the Jam.
"You really must not do that" said he
why not?' inquired the prince
WELL you see. we play Oxford next
week and you will break my best bowl
er's heart II you make strokes like that -
Very we'll, l will play him another way
next time he sends down a ball like that"
and, sure enough. he did. And that is
another of the marvels of "Ranjfs" bat
ting for. whereas all great bats have
their pet strokes for each ball which they
have to play he has at least three diff
ferent methods of dealing with any ball
and he can make use of any one of them
with equal facility.
| Two Centuries" in a Day.
To the telling Of "Ranji's' records there
| is no end, but perhaps his most wonder
full feat was that Of making two separate
hundreds on one day at Brighton for Sus-
sex against Yorkshire. a tremendous test
of physical endurance. He has three
times made three hundreds in succession.
accomplishing this great feat twice in one
year. He has twice made more than
5000 runs in first-class cricket in a sea-
son. and his average each year when he
played for Sussex was a thing to marvel
| at. Whether he will make many runs
| this season remains to be seen. but dur
| ing the latter part of April and begin
ming OF May he had several first-class
bowlers down at Shillinglee 10 get him
into form. They were all unanimous in
their opinions that the Jam was as good
as ever he was-in fact. he made ali the
other persons who went in to bat look as
!if they were beginners.