CRICKET TACTICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21576, 22 August 1933, Page 6

CRICKET TACTICS

D. R. JARDINE'S BOOK BARRACKING EPISODES A REGRETTABLE SCENE BY D. R. JARDINE (Copyright) No. XV, Followers of football teams in England for the most part go to matches to see their sido win. This may or may not bo an admirable thing, but at least there is no doubt it is more admirable when they pride themselves on their loyal and unswerving support than when they boast of an impartiality which their actibns belie. I' am not suggesting that an Australian crowd should necessarily bo impartial; I am only pointing out how utterly ridiculous the claim is. Let me give one or two examples of this boasted impartiality. Ihe first, since it was almost the last, which I personally suffered at the hands of an 'Australian crowd, took place in the last innings of the last test match, and was described in an Australian paper as follows: — "There was a demonstration by a section of the big crowd which witnessed the play in the fifth test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday, when the English captain, D. R. Jardine, complained to Umpire Borwick about the fast bowler, Alexander, running on the wicket. "The crowd jeered and 'counted out' 'Jardine, and barracking broke out afresh when he patted the spots on the wicket . . . There was a regrettable scene in Alexander's fourth over. The fast bowler was still bowling over the wicket, and one ball rose sharply and struck Jardine a sickening blow on the left side. Immediately there was a roar from the crowd, and then, while some .of the fieldsmen approached Jardine, many of the spectators joined in sustained applause. Such conduct was unpardonable." Perhaps I need only add that an old 'Australian captain agreed with me that the wearing of the wicket, against which 1 was protesting, should never have been , permitted. Breach of Manners At Brisbane, on two occasions, the ball bounded queerly and disabled a fieldsman. On both occasions the crowd jeered and cheered. ]t would not be difficult to continue a fale of similar incidents almost indefinitely. I do not propose to do so, however, for'T hope 1 have avoided the scylla of saying too much, and the charybdis of saying too little, with regard to the treatment frequently meted out to past, English sides. There is, however, one incident of a breach of manners to one quite outside the English team which I cannot refrain from mentioning, in order to express our regret that such a thing should ever have occurred. On the occasion of one State match, a high dignitary honoured the proceedings with his presence. As is usually the custom on these occasions, both sides lined up on the grass outside the pavilion gate,' to have the honour and privilege "of being introduced to him. While'this short ceremony was being performed, I distinguished the wellknown sounds of someone being counted out. ~ 41 Loyalty and Esteem " For once in a way I could not imagine what it was all about. At that time, for reasons which I need not specify, I was temporarily the object of what may be described, as a mild popularity campaign. This emboldened me to venture to bet an even penny with the opposing captain as to whether it was he or I who was receiving this latest mark of the crow'd's*'favour and attention. To my surprise I was informed that the bet was off, since neither he nor I, but the dignity, was receiving this token of the/crowd's loyalty and esteem, for no better reason, (for he was extremely popular) than that his P*" ence resulted in the game being held up for some three minutes. I am sure I can speak for the opposing as well as the M.C.C. team that wo very genuinely and sincerely appreciated the honour done us by this visit. Both teams, I havo no doubt, resented this extraordinary example of democracy's manners in arrogating to itself the right to demand its full pound of flesh, for;,which it had paid the magnificent sum of a shilling or two at the gate, without the restraint to concede three' minutes of a whole day'B cricket to a' 1 visit which should mean as much to the crowd as it does to the officials of the ground and the players concerned. Suggested Experiment No doubt I shall be told that this (demonstration was all in good heart, and I should be quite prepared to believe this, while reserving the right to comment on such an extraordinary exhibition of goodness of heart. It is not for me to suggest solutions or remedies for unfair barracking, but, while speculating on these things, I should like to see another experiment tried. . , Before the gates are opened for a match, notices should be posted _ over every turnstile, and at frequent intervals over the ground, stating that no play would bo guaranteed. Once inside the ground the crowd might be faced with farther notices to the effect that, in the event of any barracking or noisy demonstrations, play would automatically cease for the space of half an hour. Let us assume it to be a New Year match between Victoria and New South Wales. On tho first day of this experiment I do not imagine that there would be an' hour's play. On tho second and subsequent days I doubt if those Would be half an hour's stoppage. One objection to this, however, would be the power placed in tho hands of the home crowd to force a draw when circumstances looked unfavourable for their side, by means of a series of scenes and demonstrations. For all that, 1 think the experiment might bo interesting and worth while. (To be continued daily.)