CHAPTER XXXIV 



CRICKET, FOOTBALL, LAWN-TENNIS, GOLF, AND 

 HOCKEY 



While cricket cannot be said to be extremely popular 

 in the Protectorate, there is a good deal played 

 during the two seasons in the year, that of July to 

 October being the principal. The reason of the com- 

 parative unpopularity is simple. In a young country 

 where everyone is hustling for a living at the present 

 and a fortune in the future, it is hard to find time for a 

 game which lasts at least the whole of one day. Still 

 the keen cricketer can be quite sure of a game once a 

 week in the capital. In Nairobi the principal clubs 

 are — The Gymkhana, Parklands, the Railway, and 

 the Indian team, the first-named being usually the 

 strongest, while other clubs are Port Florence, 

 Nakuru and Mombasa, which vary greatly in strength 

 from time to time. The principal match of the year 

 is Officials versus Settlers, taking place during race 

 week, and competition for places in the two teams is 

 very keen. 



The wickets are of matting with the outfielding of 

 grass, and this fact, added to the beautiful light, 

 which is almost perfect, being neither dull nor glaring, 



renders the batsman's task comparatively easy. 



336 



