PREMIER AS CRICKETER

Northern Advocate, 1 March 1921, Page 3

PREMIER AS CRICKETER

MR W. M. HUGHES INJURES HIS BACK. Forgetting- for the moment the worries of office, the controversy with Mr Walsh, and the bush fires at S'assafras, the Federal Prime Minister, Mr Hughes, found time s°i lie days ago to indulge in a game of cricket, arranged between teams represen'tatativs of the Commonwealth departments and the Defence Department. Mr Hughes evidently knows his limitations, and in his showing there was nothing to suggest that he counted cricket among hi's many accomplishments. Against all precendent he played in a collar and tie, and went in to bat with his ! coat on. Foi a m?.n of his years, 1 however, the Prime Ministeer displayI ed wonderful agility in the field.. The ! players found great difficulty in keep- • ing their feet. Both Senator P.ussell ar.d Br:gad'er-General 'Blarney had j falls, and towards the finish of the j game Mr Hughes clipped when running between the wickets. He lay apparently injured, but, with the assistance of Senator Pearce and severs! of the field:-:men, he got up and resumed batting. He looked very pale when he returned to the pavilion and confessed that he had hurt his tack rather severely. Surgeon-Gen-eral Cuscaden subsequently examinee him and stated that Mr Hughes had received a severe shaking. The team from the Commonwealth departmonts, which Mr Hughes captained, wa? much the stronger, and won by run?.