AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS INSULTED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 21, 17 August 1932, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS INSULTED

AMERICAN SPORTSMANSHIP INDICTED American sportsmanship has suffered a staggering blow by the disclosures which the Sydney Referee finds it necessary to make concerning the tour of Arthur Mailey's Australian cricketers in U.S.A. and Canada. The cable published in the Referee, containing as it does serious charges of official neglect, lack of commmon courtesy and decency, and an utter disregard of sportsmanship, constitutes a grave indictment against those sporting authorities in America from whom a band of Australian cricketers on a mission of goodwill—not of pro-fit-making—might reasonably have expected at least a manifestation of friendliness. Rut, far from that, our cricketers have been treated in as shabby a manner as could be imagined.

The cable from Winnipeg states: "The treatment of Arthur Mailey's cricket team in Montreal was most unsportsmanlike. The players received no consideration, even providing their own transport to and from the ground. The lunch provided was inadequate, the players leaving the table hungry and disgusted. After the excellent treatment at Ottawa and the enthusiastic recepion by the Prime Minister, Mr. Bennett, the Montreal experien-

ces were astounding. The team travelled day and night to New York, where they were received at the station by a large mixed crowd. The first three days' play at Innisi'all Park was against the West Indies. These matches were 'before approximately 4000 spectators, mostly coloured. On the first day the dressing room accommodation was disgraceful, but through the players complaining it was thereafter improved. The fielding ground resembled a ploughed field, and the matting on dire wicket was extremely dangerous. Several players were injured. The Australians w°i'i; certainly disturbed by the primitive conditions. The barracking was wild, vociferous, and one-sided. Bradman justifiably indulged in wild slogging, and his dismissal on the last day caused a pandemonium. The game was held up while the bowler collected dollars over the fence from excited

spectators. "The West Indies previously arranged for a. one-day and two-day match respectively, but. as they were behind at the end of the first day of the second match they protested and arranged another one-day match in tin hope of a. victory on the third day. On the final day the local captain requested the Australians to bat first. V. Y. Richardson declined to do so, but on losing the toss they were ordered to bat. Australia did so, and remained at the wickets until 5.30 before applying the closure. This caused much adverse

comment from enthusiastic negroes. When the West Indians bat led Mc Cabo took a beautiful slip catch off Ives in the first over. The umpire said 'Not out,' and the batsman, on being questioned, stated that tha ball hit the handle of the bat and not his glove. Apparently that is no'i out there. Immediately following the batsman trod on his wicket, and- on walking away the umpire at (he bowlers end wildly ordered him to return. Disapproval by the Australian, captam, V. V. Richardson, was unavailing. The umpiring was disgraceful. One dusky gentleman freely conversed with the

spectators while officiating at square leg. The leg before wicket decisions against the Australians were atrocious, , 11. Carter was badly hit on the eye while keeping, and as he was being carried from the ground to the ambulance the batsmen merrily ran, scoring three runs to the great delight of barrackers. The Australian players looking on were disgusted. Arrangements were made for drawing stumps at 6.30, but as the West Indians were batting the game went on. The umpires made no move until Richardson led his team off the held. "The Australians throughout six days' consecutive play in New York (including Sunday) again provided and paid for their own travelling facilities. Since arriving the team has given almost daily exhibitions. They have played 20 matches in one month against teams containing from 15 to IS men. Despite the appalling conditions for cricket, the members have performed magnificently. Bradman has made 2001) runs and McCabe over 1000. Fleetwood, Smith, and Mailey have each taken over 100 wickets. The local newspapers deplore the tea adjournment. They call if the 'God Save the King' interval. They refer to the players as big salaried professionals. Arthur Mailey and Dr. Dean are not correcting these misstatements. Don Bradman and W. Ives endeavoured to correct these reports during speeches at the New York Athletic Club's dinner, but the American Press politely declined to contradict their own erroneous statements. Arrangements for the players generally are inadequate, involving great personal expenses and casting a slur on American sportsmanship." _ |