Editing Archie MacLaren (section)

===Full-time cricketer===
In late 1899, MacLaren joined a private cricket tour of America and Canada organised by the cricket-playing Indian prince [[Ranjitsinhji]].<ref name=figures/><ref>Down (1981), pp. 61–62.</ref> The following March, he was appointed as an assistant secretary at Lancashire. The position was a sinecure;<ref>Wynne-Thomas, p. 74.</ref> his main role was to coach the first eleven which effectively meant that he was paid to play cricket, despite his amateur status. Surviving records do not indicate his salary, but some sources suggest he was paid comfortably more than Lancashire's leading professionals.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 63–64.</ref><ref>McKinstry, p. 72.</ref> In addition, MacLaren worked as a journalist for the ''[[Daily Express]]'', reporting on matches in which he played, a common practice at the time for amateurs.<ref>Down (1981), p. 64.</ref> Resuming sole control over the Lancashire side,<ref name="G85" /> and freed from his teaching responsibilities, MacLaren played from the beginning of the 1900 season, planning meticulously in a bid to lead Lancashire to the County Championship. His batting form suffered initially, but the team dominated the start of the season. Commentators gave much of the credit to MacLaren's captaincy. However, he was severely criticised for conservative tactics in one game, when he was reluctant to attempt to force a win. In the latter stages of the season, MacLaren scored prolifically, making a succession of high scores at rapid pace.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 64–66.</ref> He ended the 1900 season with 1,554 runs at 36.13.<ref name=fcbatting/> During that season, the leading Lancashire bowler [[Arthur Mold]] had been no-balled for [[Throwing (cricket)|throwing]], but MacLaren defended him in the press. At a meeting of county captains in December, MacLaren was the only representative to defend the legality of Mold's [[bowling action]], and in 1901, Mold was again no-balled and his career was effectively over.<ref name=D66-8/> MacLaren struggled with injury in 1901, and his batting form suffered. He frequently dropped low in the batting order, and it was late in the season before he began to score runs regularly. His captaincy was criticised after some tactical decisions which were either unconventional or unsuccessful, and he clashed with the Lancashire committee over the poor state of Old Trafford's pitch.<ref name=D66-8>Down (1981), pp. 66–68.</ref> In total, he scored 1,069 first-class runs at 31.44.<ref name=fcbatting/>

[[File:Archie MacLaren c1905.jpg|thumb|left|MacLaren c. 1905]]
MacLaren was invited by the [[Melbourne Cricket Club]] to bring a team to Australia during the English winter of 1901–02. This was the last privately organised team to represent England at Test level in Australia, with subsequent ones playing under the colours of the MCC. Many leading players were unavailable—Yorkshire's [[Wilfred Rhodes]] and [[George Hirst]] were not permitted to tour by their captain [[Martin Hawke, 7th Baron Hawke|Lord Hawke]].<ref>Down (1981), pp. 68–69.</ref> The team was judged to be weak, but contained several players at the beginning of their careers who went on to success at Test level. [[Sydney Barnes]] was chosen by MacLaren after playing only a handful of county matches. Barnes' success on his single appearance for Lancashire in 1901 convinced MacLaren of his worth, to the surprise and disparagement of commentators, most of whom had never seen him.<ref>Down (1981), p. 70.</ref> Barnes began the tour well,<ref name=D71-2/> but did not get on with his captain. During a storm on part of the sea journey, MacLaren, speculating on their chances of survival, commented to a team member: "If we go down, at least that bugger Barnes will go down with us."<ref>{{Cite book| last = Gibbs | first = Peter | chapter-url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/598250.html | chapter = A chill wind beyond the boundary| title = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack  | year = 2012 | publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-5634-6  |access-date =12 June 2013}}</ref> The team lost their first match and continued to struggle. MacLaren clashed with authorities in Melbourne over his right to choose an umpire, but he began to bat well at Sydney, where he scored 145 and 73 in a tour match.<ref name=D71-2>Down (1981), pp. 71–72.</ref>

In the first Test, MacLaren shared a century opening partnership with [[Tom Hayward]] and scored 116 to become the first man to score four Test centuries. This was the last Test century by an England captain in Australia for 57 years. Barnes bowled with great success; [[Colin Blythe]] and [[Len Braund]], like Barnes chosen by MacLaren and making their Test debuts, performed effectively and England won by an innings.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 73–74.</ref> The remaining four Tests were lost as the team suffered from a lack of effective bowlers. MacLaren severely overbowled Barnes, who took 13 wickets, in the second Test; the bowler was injured in the next game and took no further part on the tour.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 74–76.</ref> MacLaren was successful with the bat. He scored 92 in the fourth Test, made centuries in the two first-class games played in between the Test matches, and finished top of the batting averages. Critics judged that his team had performed well despite the heavy defeat, and his captaincy attracted praise.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 77–79.</ref><ref name=Wisden01-02/> In addition, the team were considered to be the best fielding side to visit Australia.<ref name=Wisden01-02>{{Cite web|url = http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/153658.html | title = England in Australia, 1901–02| work = Wisden Cricketers' Almanack  | year = 1902 | publisher = John Wisden & Co | location = London |access-date =17 November 2012}}</ref> In the Test series, MacLaren scored 412 runs at 45.77,<ref name=tbat/> while in all first-class matches he hit 929 runs at 58.06.<ref name=fcbatting/>

Before the tour began, MacLaren resigned as Lancashire's captain and assistant secretary, owing to his concern for the health of his wife. Journalists speculated that MacLaren would join the [[Hampshire County Cricket Club|Hampshire]] team as assistant secretary, as he lived in that county, or even move to Australia. Lancashire selected a replacement captain, but when MacLaren returned to England, he re-committed to the club, stating the visit to Australia had improved the health of his wife, and he was reappointed.<ref>Down (1981), pp. 79–81.</ref><ref>Wynne-Thomas, pp. 80–81.</ref>