A GREAT ALL-ROUNDER: FOUR TIMES IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 26153, 15 July 1947, Page 6

A GREAT ALL-ROUNDER: FOUR TIMES IN NEW ZEALAND

[By “ Wallaby.”]

Warwick Armstrong was, in every sense of the word, one of Australia’s cricketing giants. A great batsman, a shrewd bowler of slows, a safe fieldsman, and one of the best captains ever to lead the' formidable Australian elevens of his time. Physically, too, he was a giant, rivalling the great Dr ■W. G. Grace in bulk, and -in many respects in cricketing skill. To see Warwick, Armstrong lumbering up to the crease to deliver his “ straight leg-breaks,” as his fellow-players generally described them, was to gain the impression of quiet dominance, and the same impression was conveyed when he was at the wicket, except that there was nothing “quiet” about, the quality of his driving when lie “ let go.” But Warwick was capable of turning the ball; even bowling the “ wfong ’un,” and this he proved in what was perhaps liis greatest test match performance’with the hall." This was at Lord’s in 1909, when he took six for 35 off 25 overs, 10 of them maidens.- In liis 41 tests, he took 87 wickets at 33.59, and his batting average was 38.82 for 74 completed innings, with six centuries. Armstrong was well known to New Zealand followers of cricket during his period, for he visited this country on .four occasions. The first time was in 1905 with an Australian team which included Trumper, Noble, Duff, Hill, and Cotter. Otago was easily defeated by these tourists, making only 55 and 74 to Australia’s 304. Armstrong’s contribution was 12, but in the first test against New Zealand lie made 126 and in the second 67 not out. His' next appearance ’ here was in 1906,. when he Jed a Melbourne Cricket Club side, and old-timers will remember' how close Otago went to what would have been a well-deserved victory. Otago got 139 in its first innings, and when Melbourne responded with 273 it looked all over. But the late Harry Siedeberg played a fine innings for 102, and Otago totalled 253, leaving ;the visitors 110 to win in 90 minutes. Then the thrills began, for Downes (four for 30), Austin (three for 19), and Fisher (one for 14) bowled magnificently, eight wickets were down for 59,' and one man was hors-de-com-bat. But the w T ily, Warwick, _ acting upon an arrangement made with tjie Otago skipper (“ Gillie ’’ Wilson) that if a wicket fell within five.minutes before an adjournment play should cease, eamo on to the field and waved to Gillie, who called his’team off; Armstrong next came to New Zealand iit 1910, when he captained an Australian side in which were Bardsley,: Mayne,/ Kellew'ay, and Whitty. This .was the season during which Charlie Macartney was in Dunedin. as coach, and for Otago against these Australians, he made 18 and 45. and took seven for’ 81 and none for 34.Armstrong hit 91 of the side’s 189,' and it won by 10 wickets. The big man’s next best score were 72 in the .first test. .. ’ ' It "was in 1914 that Arthur Sims brought over a strong Australian side, in which were included Trumper. Hansford, Noble, Collins, Mailey, and Dolling—a great array. Armstrong held his own, making 128 against Auckland, 96 and 110 in the tests, 142 against’ Manawatu. and 61 against Wellington. He did not play against South Canterbury, when the Australians hit up the record score of 922 for nine wickets (J. N. Crawford 354, Trumper 135, McKenzie 106).