“THERE’S GREGORY IN THE SLIPS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 8

“THERE’S GREGORY IN THE SLIPS.”

J. M. BARRIE PICTURES TEST MATCH SCENE.

“ England Invented both cricket and the Australians.” A full report of Sir J. M. Barrie’s amusing speech at a luncheon in London to tl\e Australian cricketers is contained in Sydney papers to hand to-day. The five hun who attended the Institute of Journalists’ luncheon to tjpe Australian cricketers at the Criterion Restaurant listened spellbound to the very brilliant speech in which Sir James Barrio proposed the toast ‘‘Cricket.’ The chairman Mr Alan Rob bins, president o: the Institute read a telegrax from the Prince of Wales conveying his best wishes to the team, and hoping they would have a pleasant stay in England, where he trusted to meet them during the tests. Cordial messages were also received from Lords Forster and Stonehaven and Mr J. 11. Thomas. “llow much sweeter would be that sound if it was in recognition of my lifting Mailey over the ropes,” said Sir James Barrie. “I feel that I am again buckling on the pads. I take a last look round and see how Collins has placed the field. Oh, horrible! There's Gregory in the slips. What’s he waiting for? And also Mailey and Hendry! My lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is three against one! Their arms are outstretched ominously as though all three simultaneously were proposing to the same lad}'. “I am saying this in the hope that when they remember it in the first test it will confuse them and put them oft* their game. I seem to see before me the first test at Trent Bridge. The English captain wins the toss, and, strangely, sends in Australia. Tate takes the ball, and an awful silence

overspreads the universe. Mr Baldwin stops in the middle of an important speech in the House of Commons, bereft of words. It has been said, probably by Gregory, that drowning men clutch at straws, and I see nine Australian batsmen in the pavilion pick up and clutch straws.

“There is no sound except Gregory dropping his straw. Tate takes a few steps, runs and bowls. There is a mighty roar. Will it mean that the Australians have opened with a four, or that Macartney is next man in? If the latter it wouldn’t do us much good: or if it was Ponsford, who is supposed to get out only twice in five “Nevertheless, although I do not wish to hurt the Australians’ feelings, I believe that truth is better than fiction, an dmust tell Collins that the-e is no hope for him and his gallant but unfortunate company in 1926. “I am able to announce that the selection committee is relying on new biood. Our fast bowler, Mr W. K. Thunder, has never been known to smile except when someone mentions. Gregory as a fast bowler. As far as batting is concerned, I need only mention that Hobbs is twelfth man. “England invented both cricket and the Australians. “The great glory of cricket does not lies in the tests, county championships or the Sheffield Shield, biaA on the village greens, They say that -when the great army of patriots killed in wartime, and who are marching on their eternal journey, reach a village where there is a cricket match, the Englishmen drop out of the ranks, lean over ■he gate and smile.”