“ATMOSPHERE OF HOSTILITY”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19485, 9 May 1933, Page 7

“ATMOSPHERE OF HOSTILITY”

SPECIAL REVIEW ON ENGLISH TOUR TEST MATCH HOLIDAY SUGGESTED United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 8. Eric Martin, in an article in “The Daily Herald” says: “One high authority states that the tests between England and Australia may be postponed indenfiitely, as the outcome of the bodyline 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 test 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, have returned embittered. They feel that the treatment they received, in many parts of Australia, particularly in Sydney, the home of the barrackers, was contrary to all the rules of sportsmanship. Here are some of the complaints which will be investigated : Players could not leave their hotels without fear of being openly insulted in the streets; Players were frequently molested on train journeys by gangs who entered the carriages, and threw missiles through the windows; Players were jeered at when at the theatres, and many of the players preferred to stay in their hotels; The test matches were played to the accompaniment of continual booing and abuse of the foulest character; Refuse was thrown at the men near the boundary; The atmosphere of hostility that unnerved some of the players, sometimes threatened to end in physical violence.” Should Tests be Continued? The “Daily Herald,” in an editorial, says that there will be many supporters of the idea of a suspension of tests as the simplest solution of the difficulties arising out of leg theory bowling. Certainly nobody would care to carry on if all 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. Abandonment and a rupture of cricket relations would reflect credit on nobody, and not serve as a good advertisement of what is supposed to be the traditional sporting qualities of Britons.

Reply to Critics. “The London Despatch” says: “None of the teams expects Larwood to use bodyline bowling 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 the captain, and therefore there can be only one answer to the Australian cable, namely, a polite refusal.

THROUGH THE EYES OF THE TEAM.

CRITICISM OP AUSTRALIAN BEHAVIOUR. United Press Association—By Electrle 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’s” story by Mr Thomas Moult, upon the arrival of the cricketers. He says that though the players’ lips are sealed about certain aspects of the tour, their very silence indicated the truth that “a body of touring cricketers had never been called 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 ‘bodyline 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. The tales of dissension among the Englishmen were deliberately manufactured. The behaviour of the crowds during the tests was sometimes night-marish and frightening. There were moments when the players felt that the thousands would break the fences and pour on to the field. Every player above all emphasised Jardine’s strength of character and utter fearlessness in the most trying situation a cricketer ever had to lace. Every player expressed 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 further than throwing oranges on to the field and counting Larwood’s strides in chorus. Forty thousand out of 60,000 spectators stood unanimously and roared an offensive epithet of two syllables repeatedly till hoarse. Doubtless it was to this that Jardine wittily referred in New Zealand—‘We have just come from a country where our parentage was regarded as doubtful, and our ultimate destination absolutely cer-