Abe Bailey and the Foundation of the Imperial Cricket Conference

Abstract

This article seeks to fill two major historiographical gaps, those on the career and achievements of Sir Abe Bailey (1864–1940) and on the foundation of the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909. Bailey was a Randlord, press baron, and politician; he was a substantial landowner in both South Africa and Rhodesia, possibly owning more acres than any other individual in the world at the time; he was a soldier who served with distinction in both the South African War and the South West Africa campaign in World War I; he was a noted breeder and racer of thoroughbred horses in both South Africa and Britain; and he was an ardent sportsman and great benefactor of South African cricket. He was also deeply committed to Britain and her empire, and saw regular cricket tours between South Africa and the ‘mother country’ as an important mechanism for helping integrate South Africa in the British Empire. Among his chief legacies was the Imperial Cricket Conference, now the International Cricket Council, founded as the outcome of his initiative.