CRICKET STIR

Southland Times, Issue 22010, 9 May 1933, Page 7

CRICKET STIR

LARWOOD STORY ATTEMPT TO WITHDRAW THE CHEQUE RETURNED EXPRESSION OF REGRET (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, May 7. Mr A. W. Shelton, president of the Notts Country Cricket Club, has issued a statement on behalf of Larwood regarding the Sunday Express interview. He says: “The interview with Larwood was written up by another person from statements made by him, believing he was at liberty to publish a statement the day after the return of the Marylebone team. He signed the proof of the article without sufficient thought. Upon certain facts being brought to his notice since signing the proofs, he had decided to withdraw it in order not to cause trouble between himself and Marylebone. Accordingly, he sent two telegrams to the editor of the Sunday Express on May 4 and May 5, the first of which was acknowledged in writing, withdrawing the interview as well as permission to publish it. At the same time he returned the cheque he had received in payment. Larwood wishes to express regret for the appearance of the article, the publication of which he did all in his power to stop.” The editor of the Sunday Express has written to the Daily Express stating that he never heard of such nonsense as the statement issued on behalf of Larwood. “As late as Saturday Larwood gave an interview to the Daily Mail reiterating his assertion to us that, he had been released from his pledge of silence to Marylebone,” he states. “We bought and paid for the interview at Larwood’s suggestion. When late in the week he asked to be released from his contract he made it clear that he sought his release chiefly because he proposed to' publish his experiences in book form. We preferred to publish in the Sunday Express.” G. Duckworth (Lancashire) in an interview, says: "The whole thing boiled down to a simple fact is . that some Australian' wizards were frightened to death of Larwood.” The Despatch says: “None of the team expects Larwood to use the bodyline except on occasions. The ball here swings far longer in the air and . the wickets are livelier, also there is a time limit to matches. Every, member of the team backs up the captain, therefore there can be only one answer to the Australian cable, namely, a polite refusal.” The Daily Herald, in an editorial, says: “There will be many supporters of the idea of a suspension of the Tests as the simplest solution of the diffisulties arising out of leg theory bowling. Certainly nobody will care to carry on if all the Tests are to be played in the lurid atmosphere which surrounded the last series, but surely such an atmosphere and spirit are not inherent in cricket. An abandonment and a rupture in cricket relations will reflect credit on nobody and will not serve as a good advertisement of what are supposed to be the traditional sporting qualities of Britons.” AUSTRALIANS ANNOYED “PREPOSTEROUS OUTBURST.” BREACH FURTHER WIDENED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Sydney. May 8. The Sydney Morning Herald, commenting ’on Larwood's article, says: "Larwood’s outburst concerning Australian players and crowds will further widen the breach existing between the two countries and will cause embarrassment to the Australian Board of Control and Marylebone.”

Mr Dwyer, an Australian Test selector, says: “Having seen all the Tests, I am filled with indignation at such a preposterous outburst. It is utter nonsense to speak of our . players as cowards. The bruised bodies of Woodfull and other batsmen have provided rather a sad answer to Larwood and the team’s ‘win at any price’ tactics;’

V. Richardson, Australia's vicecaptain, says: “There is no doubt that England won because of the body-line bowling. It is clever of Larwood to suggest that because he got leg-before decisions he was not bowling at the man. When certain players were out he played cricket as it should be played —he bowled for the wicket —but the damage had been done by then.” Mr C. E. Dolling, a Test selector, said: “It is a great pity to see such a magnificent bowler as Larwood sink to such depths as to speak in this manner. Larwood would be well advised to use less presumption, and refrain from criticizing such fine sportsmen as Woodfull and Bradman.” INTERVIEW CREATES STIR. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 8.35 p.m.) Sydney, May 8. The evening newspapers in Sydney and Melbourne feature. comment on Larwood's interview, which has set the whole of Australia talking again. Arthur Mailey defends Woodfull and Bradman, and declares that Larwood s action in giving such an interview is certainly not that of a diplomatic Englishman. Mr W. Johnson, a Test selector, says no comment of Larwood’s can change the view of Australians after what they saw with their own eyes. Neither Woodfull nor Dr Robertson, chairman of the Board of Control, is prepared to reply to Larwood at the present juncture. JARDINE PRAISED ENGLISH COMMENT ON TOUR. CONDUCT OF AUSTRALIAN CROWDS. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, May 7. “Jardine, the Hero of the Tests, “Triumph in Face of Abuse,” “Supreme Loyalty of Team,” “Amazing Conduct of Australians,” are the headlines of the Daily Telegraph story by Thomas Moult upon the arrival of the cricketers. He says that, though the players’ lips were sealed about certain aspects of the tour, their very silence indicated the truth that a “body of touring cricketers has never before been called upon to face such difficulties in the history of the game.” Mr Moult gives the following impressions, gathered from conversations with the players: “That the unparalleled difficulties of the tour were surmounted and the Ashes regained was a great personal triumph for Jardine. The term body-line bowling was deliberately used by a section of the Australian Press when it did not consider the ordinary term leg-theory inflammatory enough. When Larwood’s success brought about a crisis the team were unanimous that Jardine should continue to employ the leg-theory. Tales of dissension among the Englishmen were deliberately manufac-

tured, and the behaviour of the crowds during the Tests was sometimes nightmarish and frightening. Tlmre moments when the players felt that thousands would break the fences and pour on to the field. “Every player above all emphasized Jardine’s strength of character and his utter fearlessness in the most trying situation a cricketer ever had to face Every player expressed his willingness to go again. Jardine alone hinted that this was his last tour. “We in England have been given no idea of the intimidation they endured. The Test crowds went much ±urt . h fj than throwing oranges on to the _ Held and counting Larwood’s strides in a chorus. Forty thousand out of 60,000 spectators stood and . roared an offensive epithet of two syllables repeatedly until they were hoarse. Doubtless it was to this that Jardine wittily referred m New Zealand when he said: ‘We have just come from a country where our parentage was regarded as doubtful and our ultimate destination as absolutely certain. FUTURE OF TESTS INDEFINITE POSTPONEMENT. ENGLISHMEN’S GRIEVANCES. (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London May 8. Mr Eric Martin, in an article in the Daily Herald, says a high authority states that Tests between England and Australia may be postponed indefinitely as the outcome of the body-line controversy. Now that the team has returned the Marylebone Cricket Club intends to hold an exhaustive inquiry into the circumstances which temporarily ruined the enjoyment of lest cricket. The first move will be to hold a conference at which every member of the team will be asked to give evidence. The players, almost without exception, returned embittered. They feel that the treatment they received in many parts of Australia, particularly in Sydney, the home of barrackers, was contrary to all the rules of sportsmanship. Here are some of the complaints which will be investigated:—. The players could not leave their hotels without fear of being openly insulted in the streets. They were frequently molested on train journeys by gangs, who entered the carriages or threw missiles through the windows. They were jeered when at theatres, so many players preferred to stay in the hotels. The Test matches were played to an accompaniment of continual booing and abuse of the foulest character. Refuse was thrown at men near the boundary. The atmosphere of hostility that unnerved some players sometimes threatened to end in physical violence. MARYLEBONE’S INQUIRY CRICKETERS ASKED TO ATTEND. (United Press Assn.— Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 9.45 p.m.) London, May 8. The Daily Express says that Jardine, Wyatt, Sutcliffe and Hammond have been asked to attend Marylebone’s body-line inquiry. Marylebone’s share in the Australian and New Zealand tour is estimated at £30,000 at the present rate of exchange.