CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 June 1924, Page 10

CRICKET.

HOBBS NEVER, COACHED. In “My Cricket Memories,” by J. B. Hobbs, the author -says : “I have never had an hour’s coaching in my life. Tb give you an idea of my keenness,” he says ,“let me tell you that I used rise at six and walk half an hour to Parker’s Piece to get a bit of practice.” He was the eldest of twelve children — six* girls and six boys—and in his early days he assisted his father, who was the groundsman at Jesus College, Cambridge. At one time there was a possibility that Hobbs would qualify for Essex. He was well recommended to the authorities of that county, but was “turned down flat, no reason being given for the decision.” Australians will heartily endorse the truth of this statement by Hobbs: “I can honestly declare, without hesitation, that I have never allowed my average to interfere with my cricket; I could, perhaps, have made a- better show in the average list, if i had. Many a time I have thrown away my wicket m order to give the spectators bright cricket.”

Yes; it can be said of J. Hobbs that no great amateur batsman has ever surpassed him in his charm at the wickets or in his efforts to win the match without thought of average. No real cricketer i.s ever deceived by the man who thinks of his average. There is a gulf between the match-winner and the average-maker, and the higher the class of cricket the wider that gulf becomes. ENGLAND’S NEW CAPTAIN. Arthur Edward Robert Gilligan. the new captain of England in cricket against. South Africa,, is a Cambridge Lniversity man. He is in his thirtieth year, and served through the Great War. His sport has not been confined to cricket, for he has played Rugby Union and Association football, hockey, and golf. For Cambridge, with J. H. holds the last wicket record of 177 runs, against Sussex,, at Hove, in 1919, his own contribution 101. Tn first-class cricket last season he scored 1183 runs at an average of 21 T> and secured 103 wickets at 17.50,’ so that he is an all-rounder. NEW SOUTH AFRICAN. Mails coming through from England malce clear the mystery surrounding J. H. Parker, cabled recently as playimr for South Africa in the Test match. Tin ir S i' - bo V ier and played for Bradford C.C, in the Bradford League It was during the course of the match V Oxford University that he was linked up with the touring team.