“HOW’S THAT ?”

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12095, 24 March 1925, Page 5

“HOW’S THAT ?”

WHAT THE CROWD SAID COMMENT HEARD AT CRICKET TEST MATCH. LIVELY EXCHANGES. "While a New Zealand cricket crowd is but a novice in the art of “barracking” as it is practised in Australia, the ability to pass comment—caustic and otherwise—is gradually being developed, and touring teams in future will I doubtless imagine that instead of playling before staid New Zealanders they are performing for the pleasure and benefit of pertinent—or impertinent—- “ Aussies.” GOOD-HUMOURED CROWD. Yesterday’s crowd at the Basin was however, in high good humour, and the motley collection of humanity in the “bob” enclosure, which comprised all ranks of industry and commerce, enjoyed some bright flashes of wit and repartee. Tram conductors (off duty) rubbed shoulders with clerks and other products of the business world, while indications were not lacking that not a few watersiders and general labourers had given themselves the afternoon off. It was a cosmopolitan crowd, and [like the New Zealand eleven, the good I old office excuse about grandmother’s funeral must have had a good innings. “Take yer ’at off or sit down!” was the . irate shout of one stout individual who leaned against the fence and bellowed at all who dared obscure his range of vision. • “Orl right, old toy; keep your hair on!” was the ready response of not a few of the unfortunates who came in for his attention - | An air of expectancy hung over the crowd. New Zealand was hatting with Dempster and Blunt at the wickets. Everv stroke was commented upon, and It was surprising how much the crowd knew—sir thouAht it did —about the game. “Why don’t you hit ’em?” shouted one man as Blunt stonewalled several, falft balls. . “Hit ’em. me foot!” rejoined a nearby spectator. “What the d do you know about the, game? 'Do you want him to throw his hat away?” “Who are you talking to, GilligunP” angrily retorted the man who first spoke. The reference to Gilligan raised a general laugh which cleared the atmosphere somewhat.. There were all the ingredients in the conversation for a serious argument if not a fight. “HOW’S THAT?” It was perhaps unfortunate that a ! Victorian player appealed, to the umijpire on grounds which did’ not meet iwith the crowd’s approval. ;j , “Hojv’s that?” sounded over the ! (field, but the umpire found in favour jof the batsman. “How’s that?” gleefully yelled the crowd. Seizing on the phrase like a | pantomime audience takes to a new | catchword, they literally “did it .to i death.” When Blunt sent a beautiful | shot to the boundary the crowd bellowed “How’s that?” following it up with ; loud laughter. I Again, when a clean catch was i missed, by Austen at deep fine-leg : :“How’b that?”:—and another laugh, j “Blime, they’re rubbing it in, aren’t ithey?” remarked one hefty harracker. j Blunt’s cautious batting, which deIveloped at times into a “stonewall,” i reduced the “bobites” to boredom at I one stage. | “Wake up, Kiwi! The boat leaves [for Aussie next month!” shouted, one ■ man. . ! “Knock them about a bit!” “Shall jwe go home for our blankets ?” were :some of the questions shouted. Another man, by his persistent shouting of “Good!” ‘Oh!” “What’s the matter with you?” and “Wake up!” —according to his opinion of the hits or miss-hits—began to put a severe strain on the nerves ot the spectators within earshot. ‘ ‘Go home and sleep on it!” said a young fellow, which remark caused rhe elder man to “bristle.” “I know more about the game than you ever did,” was the heated rejoinder. “I played cricket before you were horn.” “You’ve forgotten a lot since then,’ replied the youth. 'S. Just then the batsmen opened their shoulders, and a spirited period of hatting engaged the attention of all, and the exchange of compliments was cut short. The crowd was critical, and many were the arguments in progress as to the hatting and howling abilities of the players. It was surprising the number of spectators who thought they could show the teams how things should be done, hut this iB not peculiar to cricket crowds. It is fust human nature.