SYDNEY HILLITES

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 December 1934, Page 12

SYDNEY HILLITES

CHEER WOMEN AT CRICKET SYDNEY, December 17. A remarkable thing happened at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. The hillites, who have earned for themselves an unfavourable reputation for their unruly behaviour and indiscriminate bellowing at important cricket matches, were satisfied and conquered. Women cricketers, playing their first international match, completely won the hearts and admiration of these hard-hearted barrackers. Many men and youths went there, as they openly confessed, to “see the women players make fools of themselves” in their efforts to emulate man in his prowess with the bat and ball, but they left the ground expressing astonishment at the remarkably high standard of play, and feeling satisfied that- they hgd had “the best bob’s worth of cricket for many a day.” It was real cricket, they said, worth half a dozen ordinary men’s matches. Opinion was expressed all round the ground that the girls had introduced to Sydney spectators a brighter cricket; making it a vastly more interesting and entertaining spectacle. “The women play the game just as well as the men, and they do not waste any time on the field, or resort to scheming tactics,” said one spectator. , Most of the “know-alls” of cricket were present including Yabba and many of his big-throated mates, and, of course, the well-known inebriates, whose continual and unprovoked bellowing of nasty epithets proved so unpleasant to the ears and the temperament of the English Test players on the ground last year. But on Saturday, the behaviour of the hillites was perfect. They were enthusiastic, sympathetic, and tolerant because they were genuinely astonished at the girls’ knowledge of the game, and at their smartness, courage, and sportsmanship in the field.

“The girls are playing the game, so let us play it,” said a barracker while chiding a youth for shouting a nasty remark. The hill was not completely silenced. It would be impossible to do that. They joked about the feminine players, and they good-humouredly criticised their actions, but there was a complete absence of loutish bellowing or invective howling. The English girls, who were in the field practically all day, seemed to enjoy many of the remarks that reached their ears. Occasionally they looked around and smiled at the crowd from under their long-peaked caps. ‘SHAKE UP THE POWDER PUFF.” When play was resumed after lunch there were over 2000 spectators in the “outer,” men being in the majority. Some took off their coats and stretched lazily on the grass, while others sought the protection of the stand from the blazing sun. The players were due on the field at 1 p.m., and when they had not made their appearance at five minutes past the time, several persons expressed their impatience from various parts of the hill. “Shake it up with the powder ptuT in there, girls!” they exclaimed. “We know you like to look pretty, but have a little consideration for u-; men.” “Don’t get impatient, old chap. M r o men are never on time these days. Anyway, it’s a woman’s privilege to keep a gentleman waiting,” shouted another. When there was still no sign of the players at 1.10 p.m., there were increased cries of “Come on, girls, come on, show a leg.” “I wish Bradman and them were coming on instead of these women,” exclaimed a big red-faced man. “Aw, Bradman would probably make a duck, anyway.’ came a reply. As Miss Monaghan and Mrs Blade, the New South Wales batswomen, and the English players came out at 1.15 they were given a hearty reception. The barrackers were quick in learning the identity and names of the players. Many referred to them by their Christian names, but as they found this difficult on 'account of three having Mary for their name, three Mollie, and three Betty, they gave them .the nicknames of “Bradman,” “Hobbs,” “Larwood,” etc. Miss Blade pleased the crowd with her forceful batting. “Ah, now,” shrieked a man, “ain’t she sweet.” “Ain’t who sweet?”

“Fernie, of course, Fernie Blade. Who do you think? Gee, that was a beautiful shot right to the fence. There is no doubt about these ladies. They can certainly shoulder those balls.” Cries, such as, “Bradman could not do better than that,” “Girls, you are wonderful,” “Look at Duckworth there. She can certainly take them,” were heard when balls were returned with remarkably rapidity from the boundary right on to the stumps. The brilliant fielding of the English girls and the solid batting of the New South Wales players raised roars of delight from the crowd. Surprise was expressed by everyone at the accuracy and pace of the bowling. “Why, they bowl like first grade men players, and to think that I came here believing they tossed ’em under-arm,” said an elderly man who claimed tc have attended every important cricket match on the ground for the past ten years.

“These English girls might show even some of our best players how to field. Look how smartly they pick up and return the ball with one hand. Not many junior players will do that to-day,” he said. “Hey, Yabba, why ain’t yer yowling?” “Why should I, the ladies are playing all right for me. This is cricket, this is. Leave the girls alone.” “Run, run, there is two in it,” commanded a stocky man sitting on the grass with his boots off. “Ah, let the girl play her own game. She knows what she is doing.” When drinks were brought out, and two English girls walked over to the batswomen with refreshments, the crowd thought it was a wonderful gesture. “That is sportsmanship,” they muttered. “Yes,” added someone, “It is a knock to men’s international cricket, all right. Imagine Larwood and Bradman helping one another to drinks.”

MODERN WOMAN CRITICISED. A group of men under the stand started a general conversation on the physique of the players, and women in modern life. “Those poor girls have been running round in the sun all day, and it is a wonder to me that they don’t get tired or faint," said a sympathetic spectator. “Women are different these days,” put in an old gentleman with a big white beard. “I think modern life

is wrecking woman and her looks. The time is not far distant when we shall soon see a return to the more ‘womanly woman,’ for men are tiring of the obviously sports type, and the men will call the tune to this sort of thing.” “What did you come here for then if you don’t like to see ‘this sort of thing?’ ” put in a young man who had been occupied in acclaiming the flayers for all he was worth. “Let us give credit to the girls where credit is due. This is wonderful cricket, and just look at them. Look at those legs and muscles on the girls out there. The girls are of better physique than half our boys. They are pretty and clever, and any one of them would | make a good wife for any man. You must admit, dad, that these girls are showing the men the right spirit in which cricket should be played.” Towards the finish of the match, when England wanted only a few runs to win, the barrackers were worked up to a high pitch of excitement. They cheered and applauded every run. It was a grand finish to a grand match. The hill went home jubilant.