“BARRACKING.”

Otago Witness, Issue 3489, 25 January 1921, Page 51

“BARRACKING.”

CROWD’S COMMENTS AT TEST MATCH. (Fhom Oub Own Cokbespondent.) SYDNEY, January 10. Much has heen said about the way in which the Australian crowds “barrack” tho players during a big cricket match. Here are some typical comments gathered during play in the Second Test match in Melbourne, it was a sweltering day—about _ 104 in the shade —and the masculine portion of the crowd carried its coat and waistcoat over its arm, or hung them on the nearest fence. Howell came on to bowl. “0 ; h, how’ll you get him?” bellowed the crowd’s head punster —and gained a laugh. Douglas, the English captain, and a distinctly “classy” young officer, was bowling. Douglas is anything but Australian in his ways, but the crowd loves him, and caU.3 him ’“Johnny” and “Doug” quite affectionately, probably because he is really a good sport. He has a curious habit, when bowling, of hopping about until he finds the exact spot from which he delivers the ball —and this, of course, is a god-send to the crowd. “'Two steps to the rear, Johnny, and mind the step,” they shout. Then, as Douglas gets ready to deliver, “Ah, now you’re right.” Douglas grins. Pellew had reached his century and Gregory was approaching his, after a wonderful batting display. And then a tired voice was heard addressing poor Douglas, w ho had tried every howler and every trick he had to prize the pair asunder. “Oh, hurry up, Dug—they have to go to England in April.” But when England went m at last the barrackers turned their guns on the Australians, and Armstrong, the _ burly captain, had to endure much. A noisy admirer at the fence called him a “burly bosker.” The very long-legged Gregory went sailing a\vay after a ball. “Don’t step over the grandstand” pleaded a shrill, anxious voice. His nonchalant way of catching a throw-in tickled the spectators. “No wonder Fritzie didn’t get. you,” someone shouted. “You could catch a 5.9 and throw it away.” When one of Gregory’s very fast balls caught Rhodes on the arm there was an immediate howl of “Stretcher-bearers.” Even the new Governor-General, Lord Forster, a keen cricketer, was not exempt. As he strolled through the crowd there were friendly if somewhat cheeky remarks made. “Say, Dig, could you stop one?” inquired one friendly voice—and his Excellency grinned appreciation. That is the famous “barracking”—distinctly stupid as a rule, and quite harmless.