HIS HUNDREDTH YEAR

Southland Times, Issue 19461, 28 January 1925, Page 7

HIS HUNDREDTH YEAR

ANDREW CRAWFORD. CRICKET PAST AND PRESENT (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 25. Andrew Crawford, father and grandfather of the famous cricketers, celebrates his 100th birthday at Wimbledon to-morrow. He received anonymously a cake inscribed: “100 not out.” Apart from eye trouble, he retains all his faculties. Interviewed by the Daily Chronicle, he said: “I followed the play in Australia closely. I had all the details read to me every morning. The only worry was that we lost three tests. Somehow our fellows appear to lose heart when they go to Australia, and do not seem able to play their natural game, their scoring there being terribly slow.” He characterised Lord Hawke’s outburst as rubbish, and said: “Let the best man captain whoever he is. On the field they should all be equal.” The proudest day of his life was when Surrey beat Australia by 5 runs in 1909. Mr Crawford concluded: “The style of cricket has altered a lot in my lifetime. I think the romance and pleasure have largely departed, but it is still a great game as a trial of skill, strength, courtesy and sportsmanship. Long may it so remain.”