Ranji was "champion cricketer" of the year in 1896, and _Punch_ indited an "Ode to the Black Prince" with a portrait by Sambourne. Yet the cricket world was not without its frictions and difficulties. In this year the professionals had claimed a higher rate of pay than the regulation £10 for taking part in matches against Australia, and _Punch_ intervenes in a cartoon in which he gives Grace, Abel and Trott the toast of the Three F's--"Fair Play, Fair Pay and Friendliness." _Punch_ a year earlier had congratulated the Committee of the Rugby Union on their decision that "Professionalism was illegal," thus showing their determination to "keep the ball out of the Moneygrub's sordid slime." But while he deplored the prospect of strikes and lock-outs in the cricket world, he clearly held that here, at any rate, the status of the professional was securely established and deserved considerate treatment. England won the rubber, rather unexpectedly, in 1896, and _Punch_ singles out Grace, Peel, Hearne and Abel for special honour. The English visiting team were defeated in Australia in the winter of 1898, and _Punch_, in his "Eleven Little Reasons Why," genially satirizes those critics who tried to explain it away:-- Because of course they play cricket in Australia all the year round. Because it was too hot for anything, and of course the English team were unaccustomed to the heat. Because there was a chapter of accidents from the first, and everyone had bad luck. Because the coin never would come down the right side on the top, and consequently the British could not go in first. Because the ground got hopelessly out of order by the time that the first innings of the Australians was over. Because the constant travelling and occasional _fêting_ were enough to put everyone out of form. Because there ought to have been more extra men to fill up the ranks on emergencies. Because at least one admirable cricketer was left at home whose services on several occasions would have been invaluable. Because the tea interval coming after the luncheon pause was confusing to the Mother Countrymen. Because the glorious uncertainty of cricket is proverbial, and success may be deserved, but cannot on that account be always attained. Lastly, and probably the right reason, because the other side had the better men.