MR C.E. ANDERSON HAS THE CRICKET-WATCHING HABIT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30094, 30 March 1963, Page 9

MR C.E. ANDERSON HAS THE CRICKET-WATCHING HABIT

TN 1897 Charles Anderson sat next to Billy Patrick in the standard six class at Sydenham School. Patrick, that year, was granted a free membership of the Sydenham Cricket Club. Charles Anderson went along to watch him play in 1898 and now. 65 years later, he is still watching the Sydenham club play on Saturdays.

Last Saturday, Mr Anderson was full of memories, some rather hazy, some as clear as when the event happened 40 years ago. Modern cricket and players were not quite as good as they were in 'those days,” said Mr Anderson Not, he hastened to add. that he was decrying modem cricket, but 40 years ago the game seemed brighte. and the players were more individual. But those earlier teams certainly scored faster than they do now. Sydenham always had big hitters, said Mr Anderson. It was not all fast scoring though. Sometimes they had to dig in. but it was still good cricket. “You could sit and watch Billy Patrick and other batsmen even if they were not scoring runs. “They bad style. It was al! wrist-work. Polished batting, I call it You don't see it so much now.” * Names of great players tripped off Mr Anderson’s tongue as he delved back again into the past “Sid Callaway from Riccarton. and Tommy Malone from West Christchurch. . Dan Reese, Charlie Oliver, Reg Read, Joe Bennett. Jack Kerr. Boxshall the wicketkeeper—they were all great players. Strangely enough. Mr Anderson never played cricket regularly. “I have played in friendly matches, but for me the best thing

has been to sit and waton and talk with others who love the game.” As he reminisced on his 65 years' association with the game he loved. Mr Anderson said he had followed other sports, but cricket was the only game he really liked watching. It has a charm about it, he said, as he echoed the feeling of thousands of other cricket lovers who find relaxation and peace just sitting and watching on a still, warm day. He had seen many centuries scored in cricket, but there was no innings that really stood out in his memory. And perhaps rightly so, for after 65 years, one summer had merged into another, and winter months became periods when the weather stopped play.

but mere was a very definite answer when Mr Anderson was asked who was the best New Zealand batsman he had seen. “Billy Patrick. He was the most finished batsman ever turned out in New Zealand.”

It was 50 years since he lived in Sydenham but every Saturday he went from St. Albans to Sydenham Park to watch has club play. It was never a burden to make the trip, even though he was 78 now. said Mr Anderson.

Recently Mr Anderson was made patron of the Sydenham club; something which he regarded with the greatest pride and pleasure, he said, as ha moved away to start talking to some of the players and spectators about the prospects for the match.