CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 July 1924, Page 9

CRICKET.

MEMORIES OF A FAMOUS TEST MATCH. .(By J.W., in Australasian.) Prior to the present visit of the South Africans in England, 34 Test matches vere played between the two countries, England winning 21, the Afrikanders eight, and five were drawn. All the South African victories were achieved on their own soil, and when their fixr.t success is gained in England it will he a red letter day for South African cricket as memorable to them as is the year 1882 to Australia. For in the month of August in that never-to-be-forgotten year our picked representatives beat a great side of England bv seven runs in what has been justly ctescribed as the greatest Test match of all time The bowling of Spofforth and Boyle, the wicketkeeoing of Blackham, and the beautiful hitting of Hugh Massi® are an oft-told and well-remembered tale, and, though we have won many Tests since in England, the memory of that famous match at the Oval will never die. All through that trying time of England’s last innings, when ‘ U •G. ” and Ulyett were together, and England had 50 runs up for two tickets, and only 34 wanted for a win, Spofforth was quite unperturbed. He bowled as he never bowled before. The *th the gloves—the incomparable Blackham—-though outwardly calm and cool was within a seething volcano. His varying temperaments were striking contradictions. At times fussy over trifles, he cast it all aside on great occasions, and never, failed in a crisis with the gloves and seldom with the bat. Spofforth knew that he could change his pace and bowl whatever ball he liked without catching the wicketkeeper off his guard, and the combination, helped by others in every department, made history for Australian cricket that should never he forgotten Of that famous band of heroes that represented us on that epoch-making occasion seven are still in'the land of the living, all in their respective States, except Sam Jones, who possessed a glorious tenor voice, and F. R. Spofforth, of the tall, wiry frame and equine countenance, John McCarthy Blackham is in this city, hale anil hearty, though troubled at times with a touch of neuritis in his arm, the result of a nasty fall when mountaineer--1,1 neighbourhood of Panton Ti- T. Toin Garrett ’ Hugh Massie, and Ahck Bannerman are in Sydney, Sam Jones somewhere in New Zealand, and Freyne Spofforth, “the demon,” always known as Fred,.but Freyne, according to an old book in my possession, is in England, where he has resided for many years. Among my happiest recollections in Great Britain was the appearaTtce. of “Billy” Murdoch and iv 111 our dressing-room at Lord’s and the Oval, wishing us success on all great occasions. The old captain was the more jovial of the twain f but both were equally welcome, for it was cheering to know that, notwithstanding their long sojourn in England, they remained Australians when it came to cricket The old champion George Giffen is in Adelaide, is still an enthusiast, and is doing grand work in helping along the younger generation in the mysteries of the great game of which he was such a grand exponent. Other members of that never-to-be-forgotten band . who participated in that match of long ago, ™ "'ho have gone west, are W. il Murdoch (the captain), Percy Stanislaus McDonnell, G. F. Bonnor (dear old “Bon.”), George Palmer, H. F. Boyle, wu the beloved “Tommy” Horan. \\ hat great memories are coniured up by the mere .mention of their names! Ihey were six wonderful cricketers whose deeds and fame will never die. ihat famous 1882 team consisted of only 13 players. George Palmer, perhaps the greatest bowler on a good wicket ever seen anywhere, as he*had such a wonderful finger snin, was chosen, but owing to illness could not P la The dashing, impulsive Percy McDonnell was so annoyed at his noninclusion in the first instance that he refused to fill the vacant position, and S. P. Jones, who had iust turned 21 years of age, was included. Thus Australia was weakened materially The wickets would have suited a* smiter "ith McDonnell’s capabilities, for it is questionable whether a better stiekyvicket batsman ever lived. Jones at a ater stage was also a fine batsman on a bowler’s pitch. H may not he out of place to give the names of that great team which represented England at the Oval close on 42 years ago. They were: A. N. Jdoinby (captain), as fine a sportsman as ever lived, IV . G. Grace, A G Sted, C T Studd, A. P. Lucas, the Hon Alfred Lyttleton, R. G. Barlow, Ean G Ulyett, E. Peate, and Maimce Read. Ihe last-named five were professionals. The reaper has been busier with that famous hand than in the case of the Australians, as the only ones that have not joined the great majority include A. N. Hornby C T Studd, and Maurice Read. It may be interesting to know that the only member of this old English team that had not visited Australia as a. nlaver was Alfred Lyttleton. * ‘ NEW M.C.C RULINGS. Fho follow ing rulings have been issued gy the Marylebone Club: An over should always be begun if tmm has not been reached, and should oe finished, except us hereafter provicled If a wicket fall within two mmutes of time the umpires should e ail tifiie unless the incoming batsman c iaim s his ri-dit to bat for the time remaining. If a wicket fall after time lias been reached the umpires should call time.

If a bowler is injured that lie cannot finish the over he has begun, the over should lie regarded as completed. the boundary in front of the pavilion at Lords is the rail and not the errass slope. a