HUMOUR IN THE TEST MATCHES

Southland Times, Issue 23649, 26 October 1938, Page 15

HUMOUR IN THE TEST MATCHES

The famous cartoonist, Tom Webster, was provided with some great material for his humorous sketches in The Daily Mail by incidents in the Test matches. The sketches themselves were, of course, the main source of amusement, but the clever captions, even when quoted alone, are almost sufficient to enable one, especially if Webster’s work is familiar to them, to visualize the quaint figures which the artist presents.

During the fifth Test one series ran thus: “Yorkshire v. Australia at the Oval. After making nearly 200, Hutton got something in his eye. It was very likely a couple of Australian bowlers.”—“Best comment of the day came from the broadcast—‘ ’Reilly is bowling with two short legs’.”— With Hutton’s score at 257 Paynter came in, and made nothing. His ‘duck’ must be the biggest and proudest and happiest duck in the world because he has shortened this match by at least two months.”

Another series ran thus: “After allowing Hammond, of Gloucestershire.to win the toss, Yorkshire went in. — “And Hutton and Leyland played the Australians at cricket until it was time for Sunday.”—“Australia had all the good fortune going, because Hutton had a bad finger and could make , only 160 not out.” —“While poor Maurice Leyland, who had been left out of the last four Tests through a bad shoulder and bad selection, got a convalescent 156. —“Hutton and Leyland have to bat again today, and if Hutton’s finger doesn’t get any worse for the next two or three weeks.” —“And Leyland’s shoulder keeps all right throughout October.”—“The Australians may be sorry that they invente.d Test matches to a finish.”