WRITING A BOOK

Southland Times, Issue 22013, 12 May 1933, Page 7

WRITING A BOOK

JARDINE’S DECISION ENGLISH CRICKETERS’ TOUR HOBBS AGAINST BODYLINE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, May 10. D. R. Jardine in a statement said: “When we won the Ashes Punch said it hoped the Ashes controversy would be scattered to the four winds. I am sure this would have been in the best interests of cricket generally and would have been welcomed, but our silence and forbearance have not elicited reciprocal forbearance. I feel reluctantly compelled in the interests of accuracy and in bare justice to the team to write a book about the tour.” A copyright article in the Star by Jack Hobbs states: “I think I had better say at once that I do not favour body-line bowling, which seems to me contrary to the spirit of cricket. Its adoption generally, or even by one or two men, would not be in the best interests of the game. I may well be asked why I did not say this in my cables from Australia. My answer is that I did not wish to embarrass Jardine or the team. During the Tests they had quite enough anxiety and had I expressed an opinion for or against it would have given the Australian critics a lever to further harass the team and stir up strife. I consider body-line bowling is not good for cricket as there are certain elements of danger in it. A batsman facing a fast bowler is asked to play strokes more for the protection of his body than with the idea of defending his wicket or scoring. Looking at the question from a broader viewpoint, what man with a son showing promise as a batsman would care for his boy to go to the parks and face body-line bowling with the risk of receiving a blow calculated to inflict a lifelong injury? So I say body-line bowling is not in the true spirit of the game. Furthermore, it will spoil its attractiveness.” JESSOP’S CONDEMNATION. London, April 29. “Better to lose a match than to lose the respect of our opponents,” writes Gilbert Jessop, ex-intemational and hard-hitting batsman, in an article in the Scotsman condemning body-line bowling. Mr Jessop urges that an early decision be made against “this most objectionable method of attack.” Whether or not the bowler’s sight of the wicket is obscured, there is not sufficient excuse to exploit the theory unnecessarily. It is dangerous to limb and life. Intimidation is opposed to the spirit and tradition of the game, he says. Amendment of the rules is necessary, both for batsman and bowlers. The former should be prohibited from using his pads against any ball pitched outsides the off stump, and the bowler should be penalized for delivering a ball short of a certain distance. Something on these lines is essential to restore Anglo-Australian cameraderi, which it is unthinkable should be threatened owing to a method with so little to recommend it. LARWOOD AND VOCE TRIBUTES TO CAPTAIN. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, May 11. “Despite what has been said in the Press everyone was loyal to Jardine,” said Harold Larwood in acknowledging a presentation of an address and silver tea and coffee service from fellow townsmen in East Kirkby, Nottinghamshire. He added that one could not have wished for a better captain or had a happier time. Those who were not fortunate enough to have been selected for the Tests did their utmost to help those who were. W. Voce, who received an address and a case of cutlery, also paid a tribute to Jardine as a great captain