With The Australians

Evening Star, Issue 19275, 14 June 1926, Page 8

With The Australians

Country House Cricket

The First Engagements

‘ Sports Special.’]

We left the Nalclera at Marseilles and travelled across France to Boulogne. Crossing the Channel we experienced a hard sou’-wester and heavy sea. The passenger accommodation is totally inadequate and out of date. There are very few cabins for uso in ease of emergency.■ The passengers are herded together, hundreds of them, for nearly two hours, luggage and all, on the top deck. These small boats arc very fast, and consequently the movement is accentuated. Well, everyone is not a good sailor. You can guess the result. When wo came to Dover and saw the great white dills 1 lomul myself breathing ‘•.Homo again.” After the long sea voyage the journey to London was a delight-magni-ficent dining car, easy chairs, good lunch, and all the time viewing England’s hcanly, which engenders a tooling of peacefulness and rest. I have travelled many countries, some beautiful, others grand, but there is no place quite like “England.” Many Australians feel that in some previous incarnation, if there has been one, they must have trodden this land ns heirs of the soil. There is such a feeling of satisfaction and’ joy in returning, and it is grand to think that " Homo” is the beautiful word expressing it.

Pack in London after seventeen years’ absence, one finds that ninny changes have occurred. Streets have been widened. Some have disappeared altogether. The city is nineli brighter. Tlie people move about more quickly. There is more rush and hurry.

I thought 1 knew at least some portions of London, but upon seeking some of our old haunts F frequently found myself hopelessly at fault. Motor tractors and (axis roar through the si reels with Hie noise of a, monster locomotive. They are endless, hopeless, and a. constant menace. To cross the road is a feat of dangerous activity. One has to hound and lake cover in turn, like a hunted rabbit. Tt is a mercy Nature removed our “ tails ” early in the scheme of evolution. We never could retain them and remain in the great metropolis unscathed. Only to-day 1 endeavored to break rover, and in a twinkling silent death went rushing past on rubber wheels, and T only saved myself from falling on the bonnet of the ear bv balancing on the point of my umbrella. JO Ul? XA LI STS I'i XT hi R TAIX. The Institute of Journalists gave tlie team a luncheon at, the Criterion. It was a great, function. The Prime Minister (Air Baldwin) mado an excellent speech of welcome, both Sydney Smith ami Collins replying well. ‘‘ Plum ” Warner, in responding to the toast of “Cricket,” spoke admirably and rev latcd how, on one occasion, an Australian took off his hat when entering Lord's pavilion for the first lime. Strange to relate, I paid similar homage to its sanctity when I first passed through its portals in 1899. The, Hon. F. S. Jackson, who captained England and Yorkshire in 1905 ajid beat Joe Darling, our skipper, for the toss eight times in succession, also made an appriate speech in proposing “The Chairman.” Put the greatest speech of all was made in simple language by J. M. Barrie, the playwright, whose, occasional cigar pnlr and twitching face seemed to suggest a highly-strung nervous personality. Yet there was no hint of it in his rather husky voice and otherwise calm posture. His inspiration, conception, and imagination are wonderful, his humor exquisite, and his pathos most affecting. The speech alone was worth coming to England to hear. MEETING OLD ENEMIES.

I have renewed very many nid cricket, and personal friendships, lint, not yob nil—Archie MacLaron, the great English batsman and captain; Gilbert Jcssop, “ the crouclier,” whose century and hurricane bitting won the final test match for England at the Oval in ,11)0:’; Walter Hrearlcy, who used to be styled “ Victor's victor,” because he claimed Victor Trnmpcr as, victim many times. Though a line, last bowin', “ Walter ” was a. poor batsman, who, on going to bat, would run all the. way to The wicket, got out, and dash in again at lop pace. lie bad tiny reputation ot being a modern “Springheeled Jack.” lie could jnmp_ over a billiard table, and is credited with mice jumping on to a mantelpiece; but this feat ho denies. In ibis connection be told mo a. good story of himself. 'When plavinp; for Lancashire v. lorkshire he made a bet with his captain, A. C. MaeLaren, that ho would leave the dressing room, leave his innings, and ho bark there again in three minutes. “Archie” took the bet aml _ proceeded to make arrangements to win, When Walter’s turn rnme to bat ho looked at the clock, noted the time, rushed nut of the mom at a double to the gate, but found it locked. Ho jumped the fence, ran nut to the. wicket, had his usual swing at the ball, got out,and returned at top pace, leaping the gate in the process. He was ahead ol schedule time, but couldn’t prove it. The clock had been removed! Most of our team have had simple colds, but look very fit. Their physician, Hr Hrnvlry Pope, is rolled up in bed, and intends to slay there until rbo mists roll away and the rain stops. I!c looks like, slaying there for some time. Tic believes _ not so much in remedies as prevention. FIRST GAME. The two days’ match at Air Maril ncau’s ground at Maidenhead will not. 1 believe, count in Die team’s averages. Mr Martinoan’s team was composed almost entirely _of amateurs selected from minor counties, who were “put up” at the house during the game. By tho way, England is not divided up into great cricket sections and called counties; as Sydney and suburbs are in cricket electorates. Each county, according to its geographical position, remains either a senior or a minor county. Most of the English amateurs play in minor counties because tho games are chiefly at tho week-end. and allow them to attend to business during the week, whereas, of course, ■ major county cricket is played every day excepting Sundays. Tho peculiar feature of it is that none of tho minor counties are incorporated with the major counties, Therefore, if a. minor conn tv player desires to nlay county cricket, ho must wait three years" to he qualified; Herein 1 see tho reason of_ what has been termed the decay ot amateur cricket. Thus this tine bow'er, Michael Falcon, who phived for Cambridge in 10!»9, and who was so successful in the present match, cannot play county cricket without tho three years’ qualification. Probably the authorities hero

[Written by M. A. Norn-!!, the Veteran International, for the

have good reason in enforcing this restriction, hut writing (as I endeavor to do) from the viewpoint of one detached from local and time-honored custom, 1 can only say “the pity of it.” The match in question was more in the nature of a breather and muscle loosener' than a. serious contest. The ground and wicket were very sloppy after tho previous day's rain, when play was impossible, though it served to demonstrate Bardsley’s watchfulness and ability, and Ryder's offensive defence, and successful forcofnlnoss under these conditions. Tho great feature of the day’s play, however, was Falcon’s howling. Flo is usually a fast bowler, hut, under tho conditions, wisely moderated his pace, kept a fine length, swung the hall about, turned it a little,, and at limes got up dangerously. He finished with .seven for 42, and illustrated quite convincingly that his bowling effort in 3921, when Armstrong’s team was defeated for the'first time at Eastbourne, was no chance performance. Ho is a fine athlete, strongly built, and is untiring. Again T say “ the pity of it.” English county batsmen are denied the opportunity of playing against his bowling; it could only add to their belter equipment. One other howler worried our batsmen a. pood deal with his swingers and break from (ho off—Moyer, who plays for Cambridge. Ho will bo heard of again.

Our howling was tint treated with any great respect. Charlie Macartney was accurate, but Innocuous. Gregory could scarcely keep his footing. Grimmelt.hns not nearly struck form, and was scored elf freely. Ling hit him for a beautiful 0, which struck an old oak tree outside the playing area, the hall bouncing in again. Neither he nor Column, of Column's mustard tamo, nor Falcon (who, by the way. is a very good batsman) was troubled by our howlers, the best of whom were Richardson and Ryder.

Tt is said that English country house cricket is the best of all. Even if it is not represented by the cream of English cricketers, it certainly is the most enjoyable, as all those who take part in it and who played in this match can testify. LEICESTERSHIRE. After ten days of cold, wet weather the first match ol the official programme commenced last Monday. On Saturday, Ihe first day, no play was possible. Though the wicket was covered, tlie outfield was so sloppy that a postponement until Monday was imperative. Sunday's wind and bright sky were responsible) for the ground drying, and when play commenced the wicket was slow, with the bail skidding through occasionally. “Two-paced” is the correct phrase to indicate its character. Covering the wicket is permitted twenty-four hours before and until start of play; but once it begins, even though there bo only one ball bowled, the covering is not used again during the match. This often permits n, match to commence at the specified time when otherwise it would not be possible. This seems quite a reasonable proposition. Whatever the weather may be subsequently the cover is not used. I met C. E. De Trafford, Leicestershire’s old captain and hard-hitting batsman. In 1893 Harry Graham christened him “The thsber.” 'When asked the reason ol this soubriquet, he replied, “ Because ho walks like an oyster.”

Collins, having won tho toss, opened with Hardslcy, Belli played sound, watchful cricket in an endeavor to get match practice, which the wet weather denied them at the nets Hardsloy played on to an -overspill from tho lefthander, Bale, who bowled well to our cautious batsmen, but fell away when Hie, later and more aggressive players jumped in and gave him the long handle. With Collins and Hardslcy in and M runs up, neither looked like pelting out-. Then tho game’s chief fasei nation, its uncertainty, took a hand. Boih Hardslcy and Macartney were clean bowled by Halo (rather a woolly name). "With the addition of only 2 runs Macartney was out to a similar ball to (hat which dismissed Hardslcy, but in Mac’s caso Bale was ho lilt," round the wicket, and he should have covered up. It was noticed that one Leicester player continually slopped tho ball with his foot and caught it on the rebound. This is unnecessary, and is had cricket. He, did it once at inid-ofT and missed, ami an extra run was nearly given away. On another occasion, alter missing, he ran on the wicket to recover it. Taylor was going nicely wimn he tried to force (he fast bowler into the open country, didn't connect properly, and was .splendidly caught at forward short leg. TL.f'cr was nut Ibw to Bale, though he appeared to snick it info his legs. Pousford had a fine reception, and fell in ( o a trap at forward short leg. hut was missed, a difficult catch. _ Afterwards lie played himself in, using the square cut and on-dnves. lli.s form indicates a successful season. Me and Andrews, by jumping down the pitch to Dm slow ‘left-hander, Bale, soon knocked him off. Andrews had had hick in hieing howled oflMiis pads from a long hop which lie tried to pull to square leg. Gregory wont in when runs were badly needed, and after his first three overs, when lie was uncertain, played a most delightful innings, and finished not out 11>2. Ho played himself in, and then proceeded in the vernacular to “deal out stoiidi ” to all and sundry. Ho pulled, cut, drove, and lifted the fast howlers into the country. He was ltd when the last ball was howled, and a leg glance for 4 gave him his ]UU—a lino climax to the day’s play. H was a clever, resourceful innings, and delighted Dio crowd, every one of whom was pleased at his century. It was an innings ot great value to Aus--1 Skdding, who howls fast, takes three steps, then a. hop sideways, six more steos. and a. hop into the air, throe more strides, and then delivers tho ball. It is peculiar, and. as tar as I know, unique. Ho made the hall fly occasionally, and turned it away a trifle Irom tho off stump. U was a. great physical effort so oarlv in the. season. They say he is the fastest howler in England. We shall see. _ The Leicester attack is reputed to bo tho best in the counties, and the fielding was fine. The pressure generally was sustained, and runs were hard to make until Andrews’s, Ponsford's, and Gregory’s offensive spoilt the howlers length ; hut the fielding remained good. In Major Fawke, Leicester possesses a fine captain, who changed his bowlers with judgment, and always with an eve to preserving a contrast at each cud. Excepting when he tailed to put

an outfield for Gregory, awl once when there was no third man for his fast bowlers, he placed his field cleverly. It is not, as a role, considered good policy to bowl a. slow left-hander to a. left-hand batsman excepting when the right-handers fail to dislodge him, and then only for a few overs. A’o doubt Bale’s .success in bowling Hardsloy early in the day induced the captain to try it on Gregory, but Gregory's forcing tactics soon caused this bowler's retirement. But what 1 want to emphasise is that Major Pa n ice showed judgment in making it n quick change, and treating his cifort only as an experiment. Australia’s innings dosed for -TiG, the last wicket adding 70 runs; Gregory 120 not out, Grimmett 22. Keeping his end up well for his partner, Grimmett was out to a fine catch at second slip by Astill, who, jumping high, missed, but caught Dio ball on tho rebound. All things considered, it was good cricket all round so early in the season. Leicester commenced their innings, and there was a buz a of excitement when Collins threw the hall to Gregory. Great interest was centred in .Everett, who took up the attack at the other end. lie only bowled a few overs, however. When Grimmett relieved him public interest was again stimulated iu the desire to see the slow howler who bowled so finely in the fifth test against Gilligan’s team. Gregory had tho satisfaction of getting the first wicket of the official tour. Everett, going on at Gregory’s end, gob Astill caught by Oldfield. Tin's was hi.s first wicket of the tour. Soon Grimmett did likewire, disposing of Berry, who had played Gregory very woll. The batsman jumped out to a high-tossed leg break, but did not go far enough, and skied it, to raid-on. Taylor, a tall, slim youth, who plays for Cambridge, and who fielded so well at short leg, is going to be a fine player. Ho possesses a good stand at wicket, and is not afraid to make forcing strokes. He played Gregory with great confidence, but was bowled by Macartney with a. fine hall. 1 n estimating Ins calibre we .must not lorgct his youth and the anxiety he naturally experienced in playing against Australia. Going on again, .Everett was much slower, and his length and direction suffered. Macartney got two more wickets quickly, the last one Ibw. Ho took advantage of bowling over the

wicket, but in such a case the ball must not bo pitched outside the leg stump, or the batsman can rover up without fear. The gloomy news of the general strike, declared that same night, seems to have affected public enthusiasm and Leicester’s batting. Leicester missed quite a number of easy runs on the oft, where the covers were deep, and when a short-pitched ball came along to bo forced or a half-volley to drive it invariably went straight to a fieldsman. Had placing loses many tourers. Leicester’s innings closed rather tamely. Tho feature of the out-cricket was Macartney's fine bowling. He kept a hue length, broke a little from leg, and used his fast one with discretion. His figures were:—Thirteen overs, 11 maidens, 9 runs, o wickets—sufficient evidence of bis deadlinoss.