REMINISCENCES OF THE SPORTING WORLD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19869, 10 February 1920, Page 4

REMINISCENCES OF THE SPORTING WORLD.

“JOHIY” FOWKE IMS OF CRICKET.

MEMORABLE MATCHES AND HUMOROUS INCIDENTS)

PLAYERS OF THE PAST.

(Specially written for the “Star.”)

“ I think,” said “ Johnny ” Fowko to the “ Star ” man the other afternoon, “ that we will now declare our innings closed for tho present, with leawe to go in and bat again when I havo got sorao more ‘ material ’ readyFirst let mo say in regard to my worthy friend from. Tiraaru. that I am sending him a copy of tho ‘Star’ with my description of that memorable representative match when Canterbury beat Otago by four runs. I thank him most kindly for his references to myself. A DEADLY BOWLER. “After collecting my thought?, 1 can give some further interesting comments of that match, winch 1 ted sure will greatly interest him and other old cricketers. in the lirst place 1 overlooked ono of the finest bowlers Otago over produced. That is saying a lot when you como to consider such bowlera as Alec Downes, Arthur Fisher. Billy Morrison and Millington. The bowler in question was F. H. Cooke, and having played against him a groat many times I can consider myself able to speak. Ho was a very fine lefthanded bowler, of medium pace and with a great command over tho ball. His leg break was a deadly one, on account of his accuracy of length and it usually tempted batsmen to go out and have a- hit, with the welcome taking of tho ball by tho wicketkeeper. THE DOERS OF DEEDS“Otago in that representative match between tho provinces had to get runs in tacir sccouu innings to Win. Inc southern team had maue a .mou start with that hno batsman, Funni AJ.'.Soill, making 58 and 2a, and E. It. CoUiuson 13 not, out, but the tail failed badly. F. iJ. Cooke obtained eigut wickets for 61 runs in the first innings and seven wickets for 33 runs in tne second, making a total of fifteen wickets for 94 runs in tho match, leaving only fivo wickets to be divided amongst tho rest of the team. buroly a magnificent performance, upon which he was highly congratulated by friend and foe alike. “ I nia V also refer to a very line w OU I’G ''■Fhetkceper Otago possessed in D. Mitchell, who oanie from Tasmania Ho was the very essence of a. nice, neat wicketkeeper, and was. furthermore, a sound, good bat. J have often wondorecl what bccivnic of him, as |ds pccts in tho cricket field were most encouraging. Iho scores in this memorable match are worth noting. Canterbury made 131 in their first innings and Otago replied with 134, three runs ahead. Canterbury’s second innings produced 94, Otago replying with 8/, and thus ended tho most exciting match ever played on Lancaster Park with the small winning margin of four runs. A great combination. “ It was in a match at Dunedin that for tho first time for eight years Otago scored a victory over Canterbury, winning by 77 runs- Crawshaw played a very nico innings for 39 for Otago, and Haskell registered a hard-hit 31. These two little'crickctcrs ran well in double harness. They were a splendid combination. I have seen them numbers of times defy all cur very best bowling, afid make a long stand. They were pretty batsmen to watch, and ns active as kittens between the wickets, while as fieldsmen they were very hard to beat. Haskell was also a very fair bowler for his stature, and fairly fast. A BIG HIT. “ I can well remember in that memorable match in 1880 Davey Ashby hitting Haskell for a lovely six, and on the hit being measured it was found to be well over 130 yards“L. M. Harris, another very fine lefthanded bat, greatly assisted in winning the match by making 15 and 30, Mitchell was in great, form behind the wickets. The wicket on which the game was played was a very wet one, which made the bowling of F. H. Cooke and Billy Frith most difficult, and the two left-hand bowlers played sad havoc with us. THE MODEST “ DUOK.” “I think it would be just as well not to mention the number of ‘ ducks ’ which made an imposing array on our score-sheet- Our first innings produced 81, and the second was a repetition of the Dead March in Saul to the tune of 78, However, what we lacked at, cricket was well made up on tho social side. In the evening there was a great gathering of the clans in one of theleading hotels, and gaiety reigned in lull measure. J hero was stralght-laccd about that occasion. Cue thing in particular was most amusing

Owing to the density of the crowd, it was almost impossible for the smartest waiter to go round and attend to the wants of each individual. Charlie I nth, who was always possessed of tons of wit, suggested the easiest way out of the difficulty would bo by the waiter calling out: 'Hands up for pints!’ This was adopted and the count ended in more than a three-fifths majority for the same allotment of the amber lemonade. This scene was greatly appreciated, and caused no cud of laughter- After a few songs and speeches about the brilliant victory, the evening ended with everyone happy and contented.

AUSTRALIA v. NEW ZEALAND XV. “ It was during the visit of the pinth Australian team that the fifth match was played against New Zealand. This took place on Lancaster Park. In the make-up of the Australian eleven were many of the leading cricketers of the world. There wore such giants as j. Darling (captain!. F- A. Ircdale. G. Giffcn, G. H. S. Trott, S. E. Gregory, H. Graham, 11. Trumblo, J. J. Kelly, 0. J. Eady, E. Jones and T- R. M’Kibbin. it is ho wonder then that the public turned out in thousands. The hatting of the Australians was a revelation to the community and a nerfcct treat to watch. Personally I hope and trust that the New Zealand Council, which lias catered so well in the past, will soon revive such fixtures. POINTS ABOUT THE NOTABLES. “ After winning the toss, Darling and ircdale appeared on the scone, and they got a great reception on proceeding to the wickets. They wore not long in showing the material they were made ot. Darling was very aggressive and made one hit in particular for six. a very lofty one, which was greatly appreciated by the crowd. Be was eventually caught by I. Mills in the -long field for 29 amidst applause. G- Giffen jiiled the vacancy, when yon can readily understand tlio interest- became intense, as ho was considered the finest all-round cricketer in the world. His graceful and 1 scientific play brought rounds of applause from the spectators, while Ircdale was piling <in the runs in masterly fashion. Giffcn was neatly caught by Upham in the slips for exactly the same score as his captain. 29 1 rott soon wended his way to tlio wicket and gave a spirited display of hi? qualitj. When he hit it was like sweet music thrilling through you. His end came by being beautifully caught bv Niven off V ilding, for, strange u> say, -J also. Next man was Gregory, whoso family name in Australia ranks like Hint of good old W. G. Grace in England. Gregory was a neat little bat. and a real artist at running between the wickets. I doubt if in this respect nis equal has ever been seen. Unforinnately, he got run out on this occafiUin ,and the public were debarred a treat they wore looking forward to. •'THE LITLE DASHER.” * the hero of mnnv a r ' rnatch ' "'as nicely set and looked 0n V ih , t he bußinrf * Wiile I ma> tell you ircdale was keeping the scorers very busy) until the 'Little Dasher became over-anxious and stepperl out to V ally Pearce. He paid the penalty of being neatly stumned for IS iL t' X f’ wl,0 T l™* 1 . kee Ping wickets iii tip-top form. Hiighic Trumblo, a very lino and most popular cricketer. <oon ® hj, i ■ r,uio^ ns f P r the dreaded duck making Niven’s third victim. „ Ko ' l "> t,,e , wicketkeeper of the team and a solid one, too. also a real good bat, soon made his presence felt hv sconng nt n rapid rate, while Ircdale not or looked like getting out. IREDALE’S INNINGS.

wDwSTii™ 5 , onco morc cn trusted uitb the hall, a change which had the &/ 1 Wildil ’K clean bowling Iredale, to the immense delight of the croud. Dedales splendid innings of -o was a masterly piece of batting, and he received a great ovation. Then followed lug Charles Eady, the pride of I asmania, and with the assistance of Kelly, New Zealand were in for a warm time. Boundary hits were of common occurrence, and the spectators received plenty for their niriney. Kelly retired for a well played 53, caught by Arnold Wi liams. Poor old ' Robbv ’ evidently had tlio corners knocked off him that afternoon, ns un to now he-had not taken a wicket. He got Eady’s wicket, after the Tasmanian had played soibd sbhd encket for 41. E. Jones, the lightning bowler of the team, was soon settled by _ Robertson, whose average for the innings was two wickets for 59 runs. The innings closed for 304 runs Considering there were fifteen men in the field it was a good knock.

AGAINST THE BIG GUNS. “ New Zealand’s first innings proved

most disastrous, as, generally, the bats-1 men were unable to cope with R. ji Jones’s terrific fast balls, and the result was they all played too lato to him. Arnold Williams was shaping very nicely when Giffon bowled him with a beauty. R. Neill 12 (another victim of Giden's), Holdship 13 and I>. Hay 10 were the only ones to shape anything like. The importance of the gamo scorned to havo a wonderful effect on them. Wilding and Archie Ridley both livened up the proceedings by ‘ some spirited batting. M’Kibbin clean bowled Wilding with a mighty big break for a lively 14. Meanwhile Archie was playing confidently and well, but on losing Wally Pearce he gave up all hopes and went for a big hit and was splendidly stumped. The innings closed for 1211, a very poor display. L. A. CUFF. “ In the second innings New Zealand showed up better, having more confidence. L. A. Cuff this time batted in his usual vigorous style, and witu invaluable assistance of Bert Do Mans, made a very good stand. Cuff had reached the very creditable score of 50 runs against such formidable bowling, when he was dean bowled by one of Jonps s fastest. Cuff well deserved the immense ovation he received for his plucky and vigorous innings. A LITTLE SERMON. “ Now J. Baker was the next man in, and I must toll you what happened. Burly old Jim said to me: '.Johnny, old hoy, it's no good. 1 can’t play Jones. He is too fast and lierv for me.’ The first innings Jim got a duck, and ho was looking lorward to the unenviable honour of making a. pair of spectacles. I said: 4 Will you do what I tell you, and I will guarantee von will bo successful?’ Jim agreed, and I propounded to him to take his guard three feet outside the crease, Baker said; ‘What about the wicket-keeper?’ W ed, as a matter of fact,’ I pointed out, ‘ ho is standing back about twelve yards, so you need not fear him.’ I also pointed out very conclusively how much easier then it would be to plav the terrific fast bails from Jones. Having been fully convinced, Baker sailed out to the wicket. To see what effect tho sermon had on him I watched with the greatest interest every bail Baker played, and I was delighted to see Burly Jim playing like a Trojan. His driving m particular was very fine, and not until ho had made the excellent score of 40 was be bowled, and then not by tho terrible Jones, but with the deadly big brSak of M’Kibbin.

WILLIAMS’S. SUPERB INNINGS. “ Arnold Williams filled the breach) and soon settling into his stride, played the game with the utmost confidence. His play all round the wicket was of a very high order, and helped to take the game into a most interesting stage. Holdship, a sweet bat to watch* only succeeded in reaching double figures. Wilding onco again started rigorously, but reached the end of his tether when he had compiled 12. MMvibbin’s bowlmg was Tory difficult to negotiate. Then followed another smitor in Archie Ridley, who had made top score in the first innings. He showed another glimpse of that fine form ho was in and baited very solidly. The combination of Arnold Williams and Ridley provoked much applause from the spectators. Ultimately Arnold was clean bowled by Jones alter playing a superb innings for 73. Shortly afterwards Archie Ridley was run out, for a wellplayed 20. The innings finished up with the respectable total of 247. Jones took eight wickets for 60 runs and five wickets ior 58; Gillen four wickets for 48 and three for 30; M’Kibbin seven for 45 in both ipnings, all very fine performances. THE W r IN. Australia wanted 73 runs to get to win, and this seemed to bo a mere bagatelle. Thanks though to the very fine bowling of W ally Pearce, who got three wickets for 28 runs, the win was not altogether a runaway one. Darling made 21 and S. Gregory 20, and for the second time Gregory was run out. Trott put together 1,3. Australia won by five wickets, after a grea.t game. Jim Phillips, for Australia, and E. Jones for New Zealand, Wore the umpires, and gave entire satisfaction.” , And here, for the nonce, the remin isre-nccs of •''Johnny” Fowko concluded. He has played a solid innings, he reckons, but. in tho words of “ Johnny,” when ho goes in again to reminisce ” everything will ho as good as gold.” (On Saturday there will bo commenced a series of memories of early Lyttelton days, the narrative being hr Mr W- H. R. DaleL • ’