Cricket, a sport commonly associated with countries like England, India and Australia, found an unexpected star in the small Canadian town of Guelph. Dyce Willcocks Saunders, born in 1862, emerged as a prominent cricketer and left a lasting legacy in the world of Canadian cricket.
Saunders hailed from a community in Guelph that boasted a significant British immigrant population, fostering strong emotional and cultural ties to the "mother country" and the Empire. Cricket, regarded as a gentleman's sport reserved for the social elite, held a special place in this closely-knit community.
Beginning his cricket journey as a bowler, Saunders showcased his talent and made his debut for the Guelph Cricket Club in 1876. Despite the team's loss in his first game, Saunders persevered and eventually became one of Canada's greatest cricketers, earning the title of "the Dean of Canadian cricket".
After completing his education at Guelph Collegiate, Saunders continued his academic pursuits at Trinity College in Port Hope, where he was a captain of the school’s cricket club. He later enrolled in the Law Society of Upper Canada in Toronto, studying at Osgoode Hall while residing with his sisters, who operated a private school in Yorkville. At that time, he joined the Toronto Cricket Club, which became his sporting home for over four decades.
While Saunders enjoyed a distinguished career as a lawyer and was considered an authority within the Anglican church, his legacy primarily rests on his cricketing achievements. He represented Canada 20 times in international competitions, playing against teams from the United States, England, Ireland, and Scotland. His name has become known worldwide.
In 1892, Saunders played a pivotal role in founding the Canadian Cricket Association, based in Toronto, and served as its president from 1904 to 1908. He also held honorary positions at the Toronto Cricket Club and the Toronto District Cricket Council. Additionally, he became a trustee of the prestigious John Ross Robertson Cricket Cup, awarded to the winners of international competition.
Recognizing his contributions, Saunders received a portrait of himself painted by renowned Toronto artist Edmund Wyly Grier in 1924. This painting found a place of honor in the Toronto Cricket Club at Armour Heights; another copy is kept at the Marylebone Cricket Club at Lord's Cricket Grounds in London.
Saunders' passion for cricket extended beyond Canadian shores. He captained all-star Canadian teams in tournaments in the United Kingdom, making three trips in total. Following his first trip in 1887, he co-authored a book with fellow cricketer George Goldwin Smith Lindsey, documenting their experiences on English cricket fields and their dedication to learning the best aspects of “the good old game”.
Despite his efforts to revive cricket's popularity in Canada, the sport's structure as a game for the privileged hindered its widespread appeal, lagging behind sports like hockey and baseball in public interest. The Canadian sports press gradually paid less attention to cricket.
Saunders has been married to Amy Brehaut since 1889; the family had three daughters and three sons. He maintained strong ties with his hometown of Guelph, where one of his daughters resided at the time of his passing. However, he primarily lived in exclusive Toronto neighborhoods.
Beyond cricket, Saunders actively pursued interests in education, serving on the governing bodies of Trinity College School, Trinity University, Bishop Strachan School, and Bishop Bethune College. His business career peaked during his directorship at the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo Railway Company.
A devout member of St. Thomas's Church in Toronto, Saunders engaged in a range of religious activities and organizations. He played a significant role in the Missionary Society of the Church of England in Canada, and was chancellor of the Anglican diocese in Toronto from 1927 until his demise.
As a prominent Toronto lawyer, Saunders served as the president of the County of York Law Association in 1906-07 and attained the prestigious title of KC (King's Counsel) in 1908.
In 1930, Saunders travelled to England to argue a case before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, but tragically fell ill and passed away in London on June 12 following surgery. In remembrance of Guelph's Dean of Canadian cricket, the trustees of the John Ross Robertson Cup requested cricket umpires and team captains to observe a minute of silence.