CRICKET CROWDS

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1932, Page 4

CRICKET CROWDS

The English cricket foam’s match against a Combined AnsIralian Eleven began at Perth yesterday. The fact that 11,000 people were present and that the gale-takings amounted to £BB3, indicates very plainly the interest which the visit of the Englishmen is arousing. There are

still those —and they make a Jai-ge number —who wonder why others can find the time and money to see a three-day cricket match through to the bitter end, as probably a big proportion ot those who witnessed the first day’s play at Perth will do. But the reason is not far to seek. Eeferring to this matter, “The Times” recently commented editorially that a cricket crowd is, on the whole, an expert crowd. The individuals are quick as lightning to feel and to express appreciation, of a good maiden over, clean taking by the wicketkeeper on the leg side, a clever short run, a dogged defence or a brave aggressiveness at a time of crisis. A good deal of activity of mind goes with the inevitable inertness ot" the body. Mental arithmetic is in the air. The most unlikely looking people discuss intricate records ot* various kinds, or calculate just what difference the winning, losing, nr drawing of this or some other match will make to the final order in the championship table. Here and there are still to be seen and heard the extremists and eccentrics whose affection for; the game seems to have curdled into criticism and dis-

satisfaction. There is the garrulous and 'cocksure gentleman who knows all about everything. He wonders in no small voice why the captain of the fielding aide does not change the howling or fill this gap or the other in" the Held; expresses his disgust that the batsman does not hit the ball; or, Avhen" there is for the r moment nothing else on hand, proclaims and condemns the gross errors of the Selection Committee. He is to be seen in embryo in the small schoolboy to whom cricket means either . boundaries or wickets, and who ( groans aloud at every hall that does not produce one or the oth- ‘ er. But these are the freaks and , abnormalities in an alert and I cheerful company. It, is, in the j mass, a crowd of sportsmen. , They want their own side to win. but they are quite ready to sal- , ute ungrudgingly merit on the " part of the enemy. They adore I vigour and success, but they see . virtue in courage and endurance . under misfortune, and thev are i quite ready to shout “Bad luck” to the man, whether friend or , foe. who has done his best and \ honourably failed. It could hard- , ly he otherwise. Tl is their way of “playing the game,” Hie love ’ of which has coaxed the hours -from their time and the shillings ' from their pockets.