Incidents of Cricket

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 285, 17 November 1923, Page 11

Incidents of Cricket

STRANGE OCCURRENCES. (By “Recorder.’ ’in an Australian Exchange.) Walking Stick v. Bat. William Ward ,the famous Marylebone batsman, once' played a singlewicket match against an opponent who was allowed to use a bat, whilst Ward was only permitted to have a walking stick. Notwithstanding the handicap Ward defeated his opponent. Swallows Killed. During a match at Hampden Park between Sydney and Paddington 11., Chapman, bowling for the former, hit a swallow flying across the pitch. The bird was knocked against J. W. Fletcher, who was batting, and was killed. In 1885. during the game between Caius and Trinity Hall Long Vacation Clubs, a ball from Mr. Cordeaux, who was bowling for the former, hit a swallow flying across the wicket and killed it. In the same year at club practice at Loretto, a ball hit hard by a batsman at one end of the nets struck and killed a bat which was coming out of a hole on the edge of the turf at the boundary. Curious Dismissals. E. L. Waddy, playing for New South Wales v. Victoria at Melbourne in 1908, was dismissed in a peculiar manner. A ball from Hazlitt glanced off his bat on to his head and cannoned into the hands of Laver at point. In November, 1902, L. P. Deane, batting for Burwood v. North Sydney, at North Sydney Oval, was outed in an unusual manner. He touched a ball from the bowler, which rebounded from the wicketkeeper’s head and was caught by Punch at point. Clem Hill’s Mascot. When this great Australian lefthanded batsman was in his prime it is said that a cockatoo given by Clem’s mother to a Mr. Palmer always laid an egg when he was going to make a big score. When Clem ran up 176 against Victoria the bird, then 40 years old, laid an egg. Won by a Dog. During a match between Carltons and University, on the Sydney Domain, the former chib secured victory owing to a dog running off with the ball whilst in play. Whilst the dog was being chased several runs were made, which the umpire, F. J. Ironsides, decided must be counted. Unusual Incidents. During a match at Dover an amusing incident happened. The wickets were pitched on part of a field upon which cattle were grazing. A bull suddenly rushed amongst the players, scattered them in all directions, and afterwards charged the stumps. In 1862 a cricketer named Dowson, playing on the oval, was struck in the mouth by a ball, which knocked him

back on to the wicket. The umpire gave him out “hit wicket.” Captain Johnstone, playing for the Royal Artillery against Fowler’s XI, was given out, “hit wicket,” when the string of his bat became loose and knocked off the bails. Thomas Raw!in, playing for Middlesex v. Surrey at tLe Oval in 1894, bowled to Jephson, who had his bat splintered by the ball. The splinter hit a bail and knocked it off, and upon Appeal the batsman was given out—hit wicket. Remarkable Coincidence. When England met Australia at Lords in 1896, the latter team made 53 On the same day Durham made 53 53 against Yorkshire. The English Eleven made 386, and Yorkshire exactly the same score. The initial letters of the teams spelt Eady, who made the third highest score for Australia. Long Overs. Sometimes Sydney bowlers growl at the length of the eight-ball over. How would they like to send down an over of ten balls, which was the one adoptee by the associated clubs of Philadelphia in 1911? The “American Cricketer’’ commenting on this, remarks: “The rule will undoubtedly succeed in its mission, as much time is wasted in crossing over between the overs, an I it should not work any great hardship on the bowler, for, though he bowls more balls, he gets a long rest between overs.’’ Selectors Severely Censured. The* committee of management of the Waverley Club in 1907 passed the following resolution“ That this meet, nig of tho committee of management of the Wavcrlcy C.C. desires, in view of S. E. Gregory’s retention of batting and 'fielding form, to enter its emphatic protest against his exclusion from State teams.” The N.S.W.C.A. refus-1 ed_ to receive the letter, but that the opinion of the committee was correct was proved by Gregory’s batting in the January match of the same season when “Tien” made 201 against Victoria, A SENSIBLE ANSWER. Governor: “What complaints have you to make about this prison ?” Tramp: “There ain’t enough exits, sir ’’