A REAL CRICKET ENTHUSIAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 211, 6 September 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

A REAL CRICKET ENTHUSIAST

Au revoir To Australian Test Selector

yiCTORIAN and Australian cricket lost one of its most capable and popular administrators when Mr. W. J. Johnson died on August 4 at Melbourne as the result of a heart seizure. Up to the day before his death he was apparently in his normal health.

Bill Johnson was one of those real enthusiasts V.ho was completely wrapped up in the game of cricket, states H. M. Bcillie in the Sporting Globe. A very capable player— sound batsman and successful slow bowler—in his active cricketing days with .forth Melbourne, he in recent years has been delighted with the success of his elder boy, lan, in club and inter-State cricket, while his younger boy, Colin, was showing promise with his father's old team. North Melbourne.

Test Selector His enthusiasm did not end here, for he was one of the keenest administrators the game has known. He played for North Melbourne for 26 years, ending in 1931; he was honorary treasurer of the club for 31 years, relinquishing the post when he became honorary treasurer of the V.C.A. in 1939 in succession to the late Mr. W. S. Stott; he became one of the club's delegates to the V.C.A. in 1927. and he was a selector of Victorian and Australian teams, in addition to filling other important positions in the cricket world. His administrative ability and his fine personality made him popular with everyone. He had a fine record in the playing field, both as batsman and bowler, and represented Vic-

games. Like Jack Ryder at Collingwood, he became the permanent captain of the North Melbourne team, holding the position for 15 years.

Among his feats were alPf which he was very these was in a match bet£L&< Melbourne and MelbcSS?« years ago. He had the^Sil* to miss Vernon RansfortnSS* great lefthander had the mortification of on to make more than9<sJS'i mined that he must to make up for this out with W. Rohsburn North Melbourne innings, anfs> Rohsburn was out fori?2s*% 196 runs on the went on to make 136. He also claimed some of ftS: for making Bill Woodfull JfE?* batsmen. The occasion between Victorian and |2i« Wales second elevens iull had gained ours Johnson, who the Victorians, sent WcxxifoSHii and the luture AustrSSh drew attention to himselfl&S& a score of more than 200. * One of the most remarks**, ing feats was when wickets for 89 in a matd?Ls Richmond in 1926-27 With ous-looking slows. fgSSfci