CRICKET

Southland Times, Issue 19458, 24 January 1925, Page 14

CRICKET

(By “Twelfth Man.”)

H. L. Collins has been appointed captain of the Australian XI for the remaining Tests.

By scoring 432, on Saturday last, the Union Club has set a new Southland record, the previous best being 425 by I.C.C. before the war.

Although both Armstrong and Collins had a great run in winning the toss in the first three tests, the figures are pretty even. The Adelaide match is the 107th Test match, and Australia has won the toss 54 times and England 53. F. S. Jackson once won the toss in all five Tests against Joe Darling, the Australian captain and hard hitter. The Second Test at Melbourne set a new world’s record in man-power and money. In all, 201,987 people paid for admission, and the gate receipts amounted to £19,929 1/11. The umpires had come out and the players were following, when one of the white-coats, having difficulty in placing the bails, went down on his knees to adjust them. Then the voice of a barracker was heard: “I knoo the game was gettin’ solemn, but I never thought they’d open it with prayer!”—Sydney Bulletin. The Australian Board of Control has decided the vexed question of what are firstclass matches in Australia. They are: Tests, matches between English and State Xi’s, inter-State and M.L. games, affairs such as the Howell and Iredale benefits, and Australia v. The Rest. Ponsford’s 429 against Tasmania has been adjudged a firstclass record, so poor old Archie Maclaren's bitter protest against the disturbance of his own long-standing 418, for Lancashire against Somerset, is stosuhed. Test-match men playing out of their own State are to receive a bite of 30/- a day, in addition to the £3O bonus, a rise of 10/- a day. It was also resolved that any player refusing to represent his State “without reasonable excuse” will not be considered for representative matches—unpleasant news for cricketers addicted to gardening, remarks a Sydney Bulletin writer. Despite the Union’s record-breaking total, the greater proportion of which, however, was compiled the previous week, there was an epidemic of small scoring at the Invercargill Showgrounds on Saturday. The chief feature of a drab afternoon’s play was that Kilby completed his century, and thus secured Mr P. Shaw’s long-standing offer of a new bat to the first man in the club to make a century. Wednesday was devoted to Country Day matches and although none of the games seemed to have been very brilliant, it Is a good thing to see the game being fostered in the country districts. The Eastern district team to play an Invercargill eleven next Wednesday looks a good side, being as follows:—J. Lynch, S. Lynch, H. Heath, McKay, Sutton, Perry, Hammond, Scott, Shelton, T. Bogue and Baynes. Two of Union’s Star players of seasons gone by are getting into harness again. At BaffoUr, Bob Fogo was bowling in someth-ng like his old form, and Tom Bogue will be behind the sticks at Gore on Wednesday. Both will be hard to head off from representative honours.

THE SECOND TEST. NOTES AND COMMENTS. A peculiarity about the Second Test match has been the number of defective balls and the number of bats that have been cracked and changed (says an Australian writer). As a wag remarked, we were getting the “truth about Blades.” Both Hobbs and Sutcliffe made their runs with the aid of three pieces of willow, and are evidently well supplied. On the first occasion, when Kilner brought out about half-a-dozen bats for Hobbs to make a choice, a reservist was heard to remark, “God help Australia!” He was evidently under the impression that the champion was going to use the lot at the one time, reckoning that if one bat could defy the bowlers for a whole day, what would six accomplish ? But one at a time was the batsman’s motto, for, like the Australian selectors, they believe in reserves. On the first day of the match, a fair partisan of Douglas made herself conspicuous in the members’ stand. She was convinced that he was the greatest cricketer in the field. “It stands to reason, mai deah,” she explaimed to a friend, “that a man they bring all the way out from England to play cricket must be better than the men they merely pick heah.” Ponsford had just belted the Englishman for a few when the lady applauded wildly. “Look!” she exclaimed, “Douglas has reached his 50. It’s a shame they don’t give him a cheeah.” He had, too —no wickets for 50. But Douglas didn’t get it all; Hobbs was a hero to another skirted enthusiast. “Yes, I intend to applaud anything he does!” she confided, “he’s the best cricketer in the English team. He insisted upon bringing his wife with him!”—Sydney Bulletin. Of the many features of the Second Test match, the success of young Australians’ batting and the brilliant fielding of Hobbs may be singled out. Dealing with the early dismissal on.their second day of Hobbs and Ponsford, after an over-night century, Dr Poidevin writes: —“History repeats itself in cricket, as in other things. When Clem Hill made his ever-mem or able 188 on the same ground against England in 1898 on the opening day of the match, to which Ponsford's effort has been likened, both in the circumstances of its making and in its effect upon the game, he was dismissed next morning without adding to his score. The same unhappy experience befell Ponsford, when he edged the first ball he received from Tate into his wicket. Thus was terminated an innings, remarkable, not only in its statistical interest and its utility to the side, but also in the manner to its making, and its promise for the future. It placed the young Victorian champion on a platform of performance not previously occupied by any other batsman, in that it gave him the unique distinction of making a century in each of his first two Test matches. It was an innings of almost inestimable value to his side, played in those most appreciated of circumstances, viz., when runs are mast wanted. His style and methods have already been canvassed here, but it is still worthy of mention that two of the leading characteristics of his batting were well illustrated—the versatility of his stroke and the precision of his placing. Ponsford has come to stay of course, in international cricket. There is great promise that his play will fulfil to a nicety the precise requirements of No. 4 in the batting order, viz., special resourcefulness and the /Capacity to push along steadfastly, an initial advantage or, if any thing goes wrong at the beginning, to possess and display the

restraint, steadiness, /and grit needed to avoid disaster. / Victor Richardso/ was the hero on his day, of triumphantbatting deeds. He continued batting in A most confident manner, and as he began/ne continued right to the finish of his i/nings, except that as his score mounted so too did the vigour of his play. The aggressiveness of his batting reached its qmnax the over before he got out, when, in six consecutive balls in one over from Douglas he scored 21 runs with a series of most brilliant strokes to different parts of the field. At the time of his dismissal he was pounding the attack mercilessly, in a way seldom, if ever, seen in Test cpcket, and it was a great disappointment xo the enthralled spectators when he was /uh out. As a concession to the excitement of the moment he hit one from Tate high in the outfield. The stroke was worth two, which the batsmen ran, Gilligan dallied in picking up the ball and they ran a third, and with the throw-in, a poor one and wide of the wicket by 15 yards, a fourth was foolishly attempted. It gave Chapman a chance to do one of his very brilliant pick-ups when running at top speed, which he followed up by hitting the wicket with an underhand throw. It was a simple yet disappointing termination to a great effort and a most brilliant exposition of orthodox batting. “The partnership of Ponsford and Taylor was a glorious achievement, and as the runs mounted into three-figures, and over, it looked as if the record Test match partnership for the fourth wicket of 221 runs, held by S. E. Gregory 103 and Harry Trott 143, made at Lords in 1896, was in danger. It was terminated, however, by another super brilliant piece of fielding by Hobbs at extra cover. Taylor being beaten by the throw, and the wicket hit —a tragic end to a wonderful display. Taylor was run out on Ponsford’s stroke, and Ponsford's call.

“Arthur Richardson’s batting gave every appearance of carrying him into big figures again; when suddenly his innings came to an untimely end through an exceptionally brilliant, piece of fielding, and throwing in by Hobbs. The ball was driven by Bardsley well to Hobb’s left, and it looked certain to penetrate the. inner row of fieldsmen, if not to reach the boundary, when Hobbs by a magnificent effort secured the ball, and hit the wicket with his throw. Richardson ran to Bardsley’s call, and no blame was attachable to anyone. It was just a wonderful display of the extraordinary ability on the part of England's extra cover specialist.”

Referring to the undue length of the Test matches, John Worrall, an old international player and Australasian critic, says:—While everybody admits that these long-drawn-out games will ultimately throttle the sport, there is a wide diversity of opinion among players and managers regarding the cure. At Government House on Saturday night, when the members of the present teams fraternised with many old-time Test cricketera after dinner, it was the one subject of conversation. A prominent member of the English team was in favour of an extra stump or higher stumps or a narrower bat. Those innovations may be an effective remedy to the evil influence that has wormed its way into the game’s vitals, but as they would abolish all the records of the past, all the great deeds that have spurred men on to greater, I would not like to see the implements of the game interfered with in any way. Another suggestion was that only a specified number of days should lie set apart for the preparation of the pitch. That would help, but only with the proviso that no two-ton rollers should be used —none beyond a certain weight. Another suggestion —this time from Strudwick, the English wicketkeeper—was that a new ball should be requisitioned at evtry 100 runs. That also would be an advantage. The best solution, however, in my opinion, emanated from the brain of Hugh Trumble, the great old bowler. His idea was to limit play to a given tjme—either four or five days, the former for choice—and decide the issue on the result of the first innings. These are a few of many schemes advanced, with everybody desirous of curtailment. One of the results of these long-drawn-out engagements is that country cricket is suffering. The length of the First Test deprived the residents of the surrounding district of such an important town as Albury of the peasure of entertaining and seeing the Englishmen play, while there is not the remotest chance of the match against Bendigo taking place as per schedule. The game itself suffers through the cancellation of these fixtures, which is a great pity indeed. And there is another side also to the picture. The present English combination consists of 17 players, all exceedingly anxious to play. At least six of the number must stand down on every occasion, and many of them, being desirous of seeing as much of the country as possible, regard these games as particularly important, for the reason that they get their opportunity. While all are agreed that something must be done, it is entirely a subject for future consideration. “A GREAT REPUBLIC.” The cricketers of the world form a great republic in which eminence can be secured only by excellence. There is no favouritism, no snobbery; neither birth nor wealth can obtain precedence. The lad, the youth, the young man has his own determination, if he is eventually to win the highest distinction, fend that highest distinction is simply a badge on his cricket cap. He seeks no material prize, not even a leaf from a wreath of laurels. Cricket is a high educational and moral medium. It is its distinguishing feature that self must be sacrifice<l, and selfishness must be exercised if a cricketer is to succeed. His great aim must be to bring credit to his side. Each feat of skill may bring him delight; but delight because he has helped his side; he must be continent, so as to be always capable of putting forth extreme effort; he must be patient, extremely patient, for he knows how in the marvellous and delightful uncertainties of the game, his slightest impatience may be followed by dire disaster to his side. He must be courageous against violent attack, and he must have nerve in a crisis. There is yet another lesson to be learned from this greatest of all games. In my long experience of life and human nature I have come to the conclusion there is no acquirement more important than manners. “Manners makyth man,” and the rude, or abusive, or disobedient cricketer finds that the want of manners is regarded by his fellowcitizens of this great republic as so great a drawback that his services can be done without.—Lord Harris at the Lord Mayor’s reception to the South African team.

THE GREGORY’S. (By Jack Worrall in the Australasian? No name is more prominent in Australia than that of Gregory so far as international cricket is concerned. Some of the Gregorys have represented Australia, while Arthur and Charles played for New South Wales. The Test players include D. W. Gregory, who also captained the first white team of Australians in England; E. Gregory, father of the brilliant little Syd.; J. M. Gregory, son of Albert; and S. E. Gregory, one of the best batsmen and cover fieldsman ever born in this sunny land. These were all man of mark and great players, with nerves of steel. In my younger days Ned Gregory was the curator on the Association ground at Sydney, fairly short in height, but strong and broad. Dave was a taller man, a fine broad-shouldered specimen, and occasionally acted as umpire in the old intercolonial days. On one memorable occasion I inadventently appealed for an l.b.w. decision against Syd., who had, however, played the ball after the appeal had been heard. I apologised upon my return, but Dave would take no notice, holding up a hand in token of dismissal in the most statuesque fashion. Tom Garrett was at the other end, and he also spoke to the umpire, but to no purpose. Next day the old Australian Eleven captain remarked to me that he had dined at his brother’s!

(Continued from Previous Page.) house the previous evening, and that Syd. had said that he played the ball. “There is no use coming those games with me,” he said, “and I told Syd that he ought to know better.” I agreed with him that Syd. was entirely at fault. Many present day lovers of the game remembered Syd. Gregory. He was a wonderful batsman on a sticky wicket, one of the best ever seen, a brilliant cover, and the dearest little chap on earth. Everybody has seen Jack Gregory, and all are praying that he will be fit and well for the Tests. He is the youngest of the famous band, is lithe, active, and strong, and, in an all-round capacity, the pick of the bunch. The Gregory influence has been a noted one in Australian cricket, and long may it flourish. The only other family that in any way approaches the Gregorys is the McLeods, of Melbourne. In Robert and Charles were two fine Test players, capable in all departments; and no more gentlemanly player or better liked man than Charlie McLeod ever trod the green turf. THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. IN PRIVATE LIFE. Although almost everyone is familiar with the names of the Australian XI players, very few know their occupations or professions (says a writer in the Sydney Sun before the commencement of the first test match). H. L. Collins, for instance, is an unknown quantity—that is, of course, it caused many to burst into laughter on trams, boats, or trains, and then in regard to “work.” Some time ago he was a "stipe at the ponies, but resigned so he could give his attention entirely to cricket. The great left-hander, W. Bardsley, serves out cricket balls over the counter; while Oldfield, at his sports depot in Hunter street, sells any material used in sport, but cricket articles are his long suit. ’ C. E. Kelleway pushes a pen industriously at the War Service Homes Department; while Johnny Taylor is studying for dentistry at the University. Some day, and everyone hoj?es sincerely it will be very shortly, Taylor will be plucking out teeth as neatly as he picks a ball up from the edge of the boundary. J. M. Gregory is directing the destinies of Kavanagh and English, hardware manufacturers, in Surry Hills, and whilst seated comfort ably in a chair, waiting for the other directors, prepares traps for the unwary batsman. Everyone knows what Arthur Mailey does. The humour of his cartoons has made readers of them hang their heads sheepishly at the glaring gaze of others who could not understand what provoked the laughter. Even Mailey’s own face, as he draws it, is good for a smile. At present H. L. Hendry is in Sydney seeing relatives, while Arthur Richardson is also having a slack time. The later spends a lot of his spare time in South Australia with a team of colts, and some day he hopes to produce another C3em Hill. His namesake Vic Richardson, is a motor car salesman. Ponsford has plenty of money, and handles thousands of pounds; but it is not his own. He is a bank clerk. Andrews, who is twelfth man in the team, says that he has the best profession of the lot. “Of course, making coffins,” he says, "some people would think it a dreary and ghostly job, but there is a lot of unseen humour in it.” Probably Andrews could see the humour of the game, as he calls it, but nevertheless, his is not exactly a pleasant job.