CRICKET FIND.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20086, 15 November 1930, Page 21

CRICKET FIND.

, ——&- ABORIGINAL PAST BOWLER. (MO* OUB OWN COUUFOiIOm.) SYDNEY, November 6. In view of the fact that so few of Australia's aborigines have been success- | ful at aport, tho selection by the i Queensland Cricket Association of the aboriginal, Eddie Gilbert, to represent tho State in first-class matches, is of particular interest. It may so happen that Gilbert will be a find, for Australia is sadly in need of a really fast bowler. Gilbert is said to bowl so fast that the flight of tho ball cannot be aeon from the grahdstand. Ho was discovered -during country week in Brisbane, when the various country teams are brought to the city for what is really a try out. Then ho was selected ito play against tho New South Wales colts. So well did he perform on that occasion, taking six good wickets, that he was selected for the first Sheffield shield match against South Australia. It can fairly be said that he did his part towards securing for Queensland its first outright win in that competition. Gilbert comes from one of tho aboriginal stations, Barrambah, from which, during tho war, all the able-bodied men enlisted in a body. They were all accepted sad proved to be a fine body of men. Gilbert is likewise a fine type, with fine broad shoulders, and arms fully developed as the result oi frequent throwing of tho bopmerang. Western Queensland also producod the noted boxer, Jerry Jerome. In Melbourne there is an outstanding example of aboriginal athletes. He is Doug Nicholls, the star wing man of Association football. He Is the only aboriginal playing football in Melbourne, and ho is a midget as far as aboriginal# go, for he is only sft 2in high. He i» a great runner, and has won the chief professional running race of Victoria. Years ago there was a famous aboriginal footballer in Adelaide, Harry Hewitt, and he used to play without boots. As far back as 1867 a cricket match was played in Sydney between the Albert Club and an aboriginal team of twelve Iwhich included a white man as the thirteenth man. This aboriginal team went to England in the following year, and although it was only moderately successful, it was an arresting advertisement for Australia. Two members of the team playejcl first-class cricket in Australia on their return. There was another fast bowler. Marsh, who played for New South Wales for some years. He became quite famous oven though his

deliveries were frequently questioned, and he was often no-balled. To confound his critics he bowled on one Occasion with his bowling ft*m splints. Another notable aboriginal athlete was Charlie Samuels, the New South Wales. professional runner.