ACTUALITY. Ranjitsinhji, practising at the nets prior to the First Test between England and Australia at Sydney, 13-17 December 1897. The camera is positioned in the silly mid-off area, behind the side netting.

Watched by a bowler-hatted man behind the net, Ranjitsinghji plays the following strokes: a drive towards extra cover, a push on the leg side off the front foot, a pull over mid-wicket, another drive to extra cover; a man runs into picture to retrieve the ball; Ranjitsinhji plays to leg off the back foot, a square drive, a pull over mid-on, another drive to extra cover, then moves into position for another drive (37ft).

Note: This is one of four films taken by Henry Walter Barnett, using a Lumière Cinématographe, prior to the first Test match between England and Australia, December 1897. Copyright records for all four are held at the Public Record Office, file COPY1/434, dated 1 February 1898. Fuerst Brothers of London are named as the copyright holders, Barnett of Falk Studios, Melbourne, the `author of work' in each case. The other titles (not in NFTVA) are PRINCE RANJITSINHJI AND HAYWARD BATTING AT THE WICKETS, ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM LEAVING THE FIELD ON OCCASION OF TEST MATCH DEC 10 ETC 1897 and NEW SOUTH WALES CRICKET TEAM LEAVING THE FIELD. These latter three are all dated December 10, and the first Test began (at Sydney) December 13. The films were first shown in Britain 7 February 1898 at the Alhambra as part of programmes sponsored by Nestlé and Lever. Although Fuerst were agents for Lumière films, the films were not Lumière productions and were taken after Barnett had ceased his earlier association with the French company.

Refs: Warwick Trading Company catalogue 1898, pp 61-62. John Barnes, Pioneers of the British Film, pp 69-70. Cinema Papers, August 1993, pp 62-63. Public Record Office, COPY 1/434 (dated 1 February 1898). The Era, 19 February 1898, p20a (see Barnes). Music Hall, 11 February 1898. Photographic News, 18 February 1898, p 98.