C. P. Johnstone

Conrad Powell Johnstone (19 August 1895 – 23 June 1974), known as CP Johnstone or Con Johnstone, was an English businessman and amateur sportsman who played first-class cricket between 1919 and 1948. After serving in the First World War he spent much his working life in India and is regarded as one of the key players in the development of cricket in Madras. He served in the First World War, played first-class cricket in both England and India and was also a noted golfer as well as the President of Kent County Cricket Club in later life.

Early life Johnstone was born at Sydenham in south-east London, the son of William and Katherine Johnstone. His father was a "Gentlemen of independent means" and Johnstone was educated at Hartford House school before going to Rugby School where he played cricket in the school team in 1912 and 1913. He captained Rugby in his final year and also represented the school in the racquet pairs. He played three times for the Kent County Cricket Club Second XI in the Minor Counties Championship in July 1914 and was admitted to Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1914 but his education was interrupted by the outbreak of war in Europe. He graduated in 1920 having been credited with four terms study due to his war service. He played cricket for the University team, making his first-class cricket debut for the team in May 1919 against the Australian Imperial Forces at Fenner's. He won a Blue in both cricket and golf, captaining the Cambridge team to an unexpected victory in the university golf match, and made his Kent First XI debut in 1919 against Hampshire.

After graduating Johnstone was employed by a liquor manufacturer in Calcutta and then for a number of years by Burmah Shell in Madras as a manager. When Madras entered the Madras League for the first time in 1939 Johnstone was the captain and a key player on the team and captained the Madras team throughout the period. Johnstone played both against Marylebone Cricket Club when it toured Madras in 1926/27 and for the club in five matches as well as for other teams on occasion. who was able to provide talented young players with employment in Burmah Shell, providing them with the opportunity to play cricket with a stable income behind them. Johnstone was President of Madras Cricket Club in 1947 towards the end of his playing career. slip fielder. Australian international Keith Miller described how a particular catch taken by Johnstone, then aged 50, in a match at Madras in 1945 was "the best catch that ever dismissed me". As a captain he was described as an "astute leader of men" particularly when the exclusive Madras Cricket Club, which had been largely controlled by Europeans, became the democratic Madras Cricket Association.