SIR J. BARRIE’S BRIGHT LETTER ON AUSTRALIANS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 162, 28 June 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

SIR J. BARRIE’S BRIGHT LETTER ON AUSTRALIANS

CRICKET RULES ABOUT WIVES AND AUTOGRAPHS HOW AUTHOR LOST TOSS Though Sir J. M. Barrie, the famous author, was unable to speak at the welcome to the Australian Test cricketers, and repeat the performance which made the welcome to the 1926 team memorable, he supplies the deficiency in a letter to “The Times.” Sir James noticed a BrigadierGeneral’s letter in “The Times” in which, incidentally, he expressed regret. that bis cricketing days were finished. Sir James, through “The Times,” invites the- old soldier to come to dinner., He says:— “.What things we can talk about if only you come! The Australians, for instance. “I admit I have a leaning toard them) as they are such a young side and having, while they bat or take catches, to remember their 67 rules about wives and autographs. ' “I should like your opinion about Woodfull. “I remember, when I was a real captain, not a military captain, my opposing captain looked me over and told me to toss. He always called ‘The Bird,’ and no matter how the coin fell ho always said, ‘The bird it is; we bat.’ “I often felt there was something wrong about that,” says Sir James. “Now, do you think, as the Australians are such a young side and have so many rules to remember, that I should drop Woodfull a line, telling him the toss is most important, and that he should always call, ‘The Bird’r “Another t’-ing is whether I should give Hornih; ; a tip about slow left-hand-bowling. “I underbuild he i. their only slow left hander. . 1 am one myself. “People in Australia think White a great slow left-hander, but White doesn’t know what slow left-hand bowling is. He is a fast left-hander. “My bowling does not so much take wickets as it lies up against them. If I send down a had one J pursue it and [recapture it, and send it down again.

Do you think I would be unpatriotic if I told Hornibrook about this? “Do you feel a special interest in the many young Australians?” asks Sir James. “Ido. Especially Master McCabe, who is so young that his schoolmaster had to sign 4 rules, including one that he must not appear in the field and also that he must take McCabe back to school. “There is also Mr. Jackson and Mr. Bradman. There will be a time when they will be found drooping on a seat in the dressingroom, murmuring in anguish, ‘Oh, gosh! Oh, gosh! Why did I play forward?” “The question is not. whether I should prepare them or leave them looking happy with 97 on the board. Perhaps it is wisest not to give them tjps. A side that can leave out Macartney needs them not, or -is mad! . Macartney—and Jackson. “Did you ever see a swallow with a sense of humour chased by dogs? It would come down close to tempt them, then soar and then come down again and soar again. So round and round tho lawn. That was Macartney. “They say Jackson is such another. How splendid!—l mean, oh, dear!” Sir James apologises for having utilised “The Times” thus to invite the Brigadier-General to dinner, but. he says, “May is here, so are the Australians. It is therefore permissible.”