CRICKET OF TONG AGO

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 April 1927, Page 8

CRICKET OF TONG AGO

NUGGETS, NOTES AND SILVER

Commenting on the match between Victoria and New South Wales, played at Melbourne for. the She [field Shield in which the Victorians put up 'a record total of 1,107 in their first innings, an English writer says:

When the cables reached me giving brief particulars of the play I could not help thinking how different was the cricket seen in the first match between the States 70 years ago— March 1856, also in Melbourne. / Of the 22 who took part in that fardistant game there is now only one survivor- —Sir David Serjeant. He played the first ball sent down and is still able to recall the chief incidents of that historic encounter. The late Harry Hilliard, who also lived to a great age, remembered that there was no grass on the ground and that practically all the men played with their boots off —some in bare feet and some with stockings on.

The Sydney men, who had their expenses paid as a result of a subscription, journeyed to and from home by sea, and, after the game had been held up for a day or two by rain, it was found that the wicket, which had been prepared specially for the occasion, was unplayable. Accordingly, another pitch a yard or two away was used.

The match itself commenced with an argument. The umpires tossed, and the Victorians, being favoured in the call, decided to send the visitors in. New South Wales, however, —through their captain. George Gilbert, a. cousin of the Graces—claimed the right of choice, as they were the visiting team. This was eventually conceded to them, and they sent Victoria in to bat. some members of the side threatening to withdraw unless their view was accepted.

Last week’s game produced 1,558 runs for thirty wickets that of 70 years ago 183 for 37! In the last-mentioned match Victoria were put out for 28 in their second innings, and New South Wales, going in to make 16 to win, lost seven wickets in performing the task. Underhand bowlers were very successful on that day. Another remarkable contrast between the two games' was in the matter of the “gate.” The amount realised in the match of 70 years ago was only £6O ss. To that date people had not been accustomed to paying for admission to the grounds and in consequence some would-be spectators arriving without cash in their pockets, handed over small nuggets of gold instead. A man named Rowley was deputed to take charge of the takings on-the Saturday night, and being unused to such a responsibility he could not readily decide on a safe place in which to hide them. Finally, he resolved on his camp oven, and consequently, he stored the notes, gold silver, and nuggets there. The sequel many will guess. On the Sunday morning, a servant lighted a fire under the oven, but, fortunately for his peace of mind, Rowley was just in time to prevent the disaster; when he rushed on the scene the notes were beginning to turn brown. Times, indeed, have changed in many ways during the past 70 years; and "several other quaint contrasts between the cricket of long ago and today could he mentioned. Enough, however, has been written to suggest that the history of cricket does not lack romance and incidents in lighter vein.