WAR DECORATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 221, 19 September 1941, Page 8

WAR DECORATION

ENGLISH TEST CRICKETER WINS D.F.C. W. J. EDRICH’S CAREER Squadron-Leader W. J. Edrich, who has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, is the first Test cricketer to gain the distinction in the present war. The name of Edrich recalls the famous Test match between England and South Africa at Durban, in March, 1939, when 10 days were insufficient to complete the game. It ended in a draw. Phenomenal batting and loss of time because of rain brought about this ending. No fewer than 1981 runs were scored, and when rain, during the tea interval on the tenth day finally stopped play, England, with 654 for five wickets, wanted only 42 runs for victory. Edrich scored 219 runs in the fourth innings of that game, and he thus established his reputation after several heartbreaking experiences in Test cricket. No fewer than 16 records were established in the game.

Edrich played his first game for Middlesex when he was 21. That was in 1937. and in three seasons he was included in England teams on two foreign tours; he played against Australia in 1938 tests, and he performed the unique feat, of scoring more than 2000 runs in. each of his first three seasons in big cricket. 11 was not until the fifth Test against South Africa, however, that he was able to reproduce his best form. In addition to being a high-class batsman, Edrich was a useful fastish change bowler. Before concentrating on cricket he played on the left wing for Tottenham Hotspur in the soccer code.

and on two other occasions he furnished first and second. By way of showing his appreciation of the club’s action in placing the course at his disposal during the winter months George donated a trophy valued at £25, which was allocated to the Bunny Memorial Hack Handicap, and it was quite fitting that one of the patrons of the stable, Mr. R. J. Murphy, of Wellington, should have taken lhe trophy, winning with Kevin.

On his home course, at Marlon, trainer F. C. McHugh can generally be relied on to lead in his share of winners. To-morrow he has a large team engaged. These include Foreign Princess (Juvenile Handicap), The Hawker (Maiden Race), Hagen (Hack Hurdles), Distress Signal (Tutaenui Hack), Saxon Tor and Dark Eagle (Railway Handicap), Te Oriko (Spring Hack) and Silverhope (Farewell Hack).

Last year Auto Sweep sprang a mild surprise in the Spring Hack Handicap at Marton, narrowly beating Hasten and Gold Bridge. The Captain Bunsby horse is engaged again to-morrow, with exactly the same weight (8.7) as he carried last year.