Introduction
“Among cricketers” wrote that great cricketing legend Dr W. G. Grace, “‘Ranji’ is exceedingly popular, his open-hearted generosity and geniality having captured all their hearts.” But when K. S. Ranjitsinhji (1872-1933) first came up to Cambridge in 1888, he had yet to win his popularity — even as he had yet to win his crown as Prince of Nawanagar. From this story, it is easy to see how Ranji wore down the barriers.
ONE of the best stories of the Indian Prince is vouched for by the Cambridge journalist who collaborated with ‘Ranji’ in writing his Jubilee Book of Cricket. When ‘Ranji’ was at Cambridge he went on a tour with the Cassandra Cricket Club.* A member of an opposing side inquired of some of the visitors if ‘that dark chap could speak English?’ They, speedily foreseeing possibilities, replied seriously that he knew a few words, such as ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ and ‘How’s that?’
When the unconscious ‘Ranji’ went to the wickets, to his great astonishment he heard some lively criticisms of his batting. He made a characteristically huge score, and every now and again some one of the fielding side would ejaculate, ‘Here, isn’t it time this fellow went out?’ Once, when the ball struck ‘Ranji’ in the chest and doubled him up, the fielding captain audibly hoped that it would ‘knock some of the steam out of the beggar.’ At the subsequent luncheon, when Ranjitsinhji rose to toast genially the home side, several faces were seen to change colour.*
The Cassandra Club was a Cambridge-based cricket team that played its home matches on Parker’s Piece, some twenty-five acres of open ground in the city centre (it was here that the rules of football adopted by the newly-formed Football Association in 1863 had grown to maturity). The Cambridge University team at the time was extremely strong, so in order to attract the notice of the selectors, Ranji played immense amounts of cricket, appearing for several clubs (often under the pseudonym of ‘Smith’) and on one occasion played three matches simultaneously, scoring a century in each. He was rewarded in 1893, when he represented Cambridge in the Varsity Match against supreme rivals Oxford.
Journalist A. G. Gardiner (‘Alpha of the Plough’), an admirer of Ranji’s batting, would also have admired his way of dealing with discourtesy. See Give the Wall.
Précis
As K. S. Ranjitsinhji walked to the crease in one of his first cricket matches in England, his impish team-mates confided to the opposition that he knew very little English. Thus reassured, they subjected him to relentless ‘sledging’. Afterwards, Ranji offered them a gracious toast and they realised with horror that he must have understood every word they said. (59 / 60 words)
As K. S. Ranjitsinhji walked to the crease in one of his first cricket matches in England, his impish team-mates confided to the opposition that he knew very little English. Thus reassured, they subjected him to relentless ‘sledging’. Afterwards, Ranji offered them a gracious toast and they realised with horror that he must have understood every word they said.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, if, may, or, ought, until.
Archive
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Change. One. Would.
2 Book. He. Rose.
3 Hope. Now. Out.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
gd (5+3)
aged. goad. god. good. guide.
gad. geed. goodie.
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