EXCITING TEST MATCH INCIDENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 9

EXCITING TEST MATCH INCIDENTS.

W.G.’S LAST APPEARANCE; VICTOR TRUMPER’S FIRST. AN UMPIRE THAT ALMOST CAUSED A “ HOLD-UP.” It is on record that the first Test match ever played at the famous Trent Bridge ground at Nottingham was against Darling's 1899 team. And while I was twelfth man on that occasion I can clearly recall many incidents which took place on that memorable meeting, for history was made in that match in more ways than one, Jack Worrall in the “ Australasian.” It was the last appearance of old “ W.G.,’ the lion in Australia's path for many a year, and the first appearance of the brilliant Victor Truinper, a young man destined to set the cricketing world agog in the following years. The master, who captained the English side, retired at the age of fiftyone—a great age to be chosen in such a contest, while the immortal Victor made his debut at the age of twentyone years. A case of “ The king is dead, , long live the king.” They have both gone to that, bourne from which no traveller returns, yet in their deeds they will never die. W. G. Grace had been such a force in the cricket life of England that his retirement marked a'new epoch in the cricketing annals of the Old Country. In a cricket sense he was an old man, of great bulk and extremely slow in the field, the spring of youth having departed. And it was the irony of fate that one man. who above all others, had maintained England’s supremacy through the years, should have been heckled mercilessly by the Nottingham "lambs.” It is the way of the world, even though a cruel one, for past deeds are forgotten if you are bulky and slow in the field. and “ W.G .;’ the pride and hope of old England on many historic occasions, made his exit with the jeers of a cerr tain section of his own countrymen directed against him. x Although, in our opinion, he was far from being a back number, it was a pity indeed he played in that match, for his greatness deserved a more fitting departure from the scene he had dominated so long, and I question indeed whether England will ever see his like again. Yet, indifferent as his fielding was generally against us in this particular engagement, he made the best catch of the match—a perfect beauty. Jackson, who had a slight off-turn, sent one down a bit short just outside the off stump, Clem Hill squaring his shoulders and cutting it magnificently, after making a faultless 80. and with a century in sight. The " Old Man,” who was a great fieldsman in his younger days, threw his great bulk sideways, his flowing beard spreading out like a fan, extended his right arm, and held the ball a few inches above the ground. It was a great effort, though Clem was sadly disappointed, saving to the “ Old Man ” afterwards, “ Weil I thought it was a safe thing hitting the ball in your vicinity.” •1 ♦*» lie was a force even to the last. On the third day Darling declared his second innings closed at the adjournment hour, and the English captain, realising that England’s only salvation was a draw, claimed an extra ten minutes for rolling the wicket. A long argument ensued. Darling objecting strongly, the umpires upholding Grace's contention That incident caused the insertion of a special instruction to umpires 1»y the Marylebone Club as follows: “ If a side declares its innings dur ing the iuncheon interval it must do so within fifteen minutes after the commencement of such interval, otherwise an extra ten minutes will be allowed for rolling.” Nobody could beat the “Old Man” for seeing a point in his own favour, and so long as he gained it, even if he were proved to be in the wrong, he would laugh through his beard at his own astuteness. What a personality he possessed, and what a great

man he was for England. Peace to his ashes. Upon resuming after lunch it was night or Blucher over again, England's only salvation being a draw. And a draw it was, though in the game of cricket we outplayed them. There were three outstanding batting performances made against us on this tour. One, was the exhibition given by the late Johnny Brown, of Yorkshire. who made J 67 in- three and a half hours. Another was Ran jis 93 not out in this, our first Test, in two and three-quarter hours. He played the rock more or less in the first two hours, but in the remaining time he slashed the ball all over the field, for all the world as if he were forcing a win instead of playing for a draw. But that was the Indian prince's method. He felt more at home on the offensive, as dash and action were more suitable to his race and temperament. All through his great innings his judgment in running was of the worst possible description. lie could not wait. He must be on the move. In the early twenties he was run out by nearly a yard, and England’s fate seemed sealed. Barlow, the old international and Lancashire .stonewaller, who was the umpire stationed at that end, j2?ave a remarkable demonstration of either incompetence or unfairness. Firf;t, he gave the batsman out, so far as the nodding of the head was concerned; then he made his head signal a negative decision, after which he made his headpiece execute some wonderful rotary movements, to the evident danger of dislocation. While this pantomime was going on play was stopped. At lafet Ernie Jonfes, our fast bowler, whose patience was not of the best, said. “ For God's sake, man, say ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” Thus adjured, Barlow came to his senses somewhat, saying feebly and in an awed and hushed voice, ” Not out.” The incident took all the pleasure out of the match, even Frank Laver being most indignant. Archie MacLaren was responsible for the third special display against us, his 88 not out in the second Test at Lord’s being a splendid effort. His object was to save the innings defeat, which he accomplished, though he hit our bowling as freely and as fiercely as did his friend “ Ranji ” in the preceding Test. They were three world-batsmen, and we saw them at their best. So incensed were the Australians over Barlow’s action that they held a meeting imVnediately after the match, while their blood was at fever and fighting heat, and decided unanimously' that, in no circumstances whatever, would they take the field again under Barlow’s adjudication, even if it involved our coming home instantly. The late Major Wardill, our manager, a Yorkshireman born and bred, was deputed to meet the Marylebone committee, stating our case, reasons, and proposed action. At first he was laughed at, the idea of colonials—as we were always called, instead of Australians—telling such an august body' how to manage its own affairs, was considered too ridiculous for argument. It w v as Adamant, so was the major, and an impasse had arrived. At the psychological moment Lord Hawke made the remark that all the mistakes made by Barlow were not on one side, as several of the Englishmen had also complained of some of his I decisions. Lord Harris, who was in [ the chair, proved his fitness by mak- j ing the remark the basis of his decision. “ Well, if that be so,” he said, " the I umpire concerned is not sufficiently J qualified for such important matches, and his name will be erased from the list.” Thus our programme was concluded. It may he mentioned that ! when “ W.G.” caught Clem Hill so j brilliantly in the second innings, Barlow jumped a foot in the air, excitedly exclaiming: “We will win yet,” to which one of the team exclaimed, “Which side are you on?” If n*iy memory serves me correctly, it was the incident alluded to that causedinstructions to be issued to the umpires that in giving their decisions they should state clearly and unmistakably the words “out” or "not out.”