Great Umpire.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

Great Umpire.

808 CROCKETT PASSES.

Man of Strong Personality And Firm Convictions.

The death of Robert M. Crockett recently removes, a. man who was not only a great cricket inspire, but a great personality as well.

Although his life was spent largely on the cricket field, and it is in connection with the game that he will always be remembered, Bob Crockett was no ordinary man, and he possessed talents that, had they been directed in other channels, would assuredly have carried him far in life. But the lure of cricket was so strong in him that lie could not break away from it.

In fiomo respects his career bore a remarkable resemblance to that of the lato Jim Phillips, but, whereas Phillips broke away from the game and made a success in another sphere, Crockett stuck to his old love right to the end. Both were employees of the .Melbourne Cricket Club, but. whereas Phillips gained fame in Australia and in England as a player, Crockett did not become prominent in this respect. Phillips in his day was regarded as the greatest of Australian umpires, to be succeeded in this branch of the game by Crockett. Crockett learnt much about umpiring from Phillips, and he came to be regarded, not only by Australians, but by Englishmen also, as the greatest umpire in the world. When a. young man Crockett qualified as an assayer, but ho could not forsake cricket to follow that profession. When his cricketing days were over Phillips qualified as a metallurgist, and followed this profession with success until his death a few years ago. Crockett remained a cricket professional, but as a sideline he became interested in the manufacture of bats, and many years ago imported English willow trees for that purpose. These ho established on a willow farm near Daylesford, his native town, and ho achieved much success, in this business. There is no need to say much at this stage about Bob Crockett as an umpire, but cricketers of all countries recognised him as a man of firm convictions and One not afraid to hold to them, as a kindly and courteous man with a gentle voice and a gentle manner, and as a friend of all connected with the game. Many a young player—and many an older one, too —has reason to remember some kindly help given him by Bob Crockett. Ilis death is a decided loss to the game, of which he was such an ornament.