A Great Cricket Genius.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1921, Page 4

A Great Cricket Genius.

WA R WICK A R MSTRONG. By 11. <l. Henley, 1 The Well-Known Authority on Cricket. Warwick Armstrong, the man who looks less like a first-class cricketer than any other player in the world, j i and who transforms our boldest hitters into timid stonewallers, is the most discussed captain and bowler of his generation. On other tours of an Australian team we have known him as a magnificent batsman, somewhat overshadowed by Trumpet- and Noble, but his personality seems to have expanded with his waistband. When he lumbers down the pavilion steps surrounded by his team, he suggests in some subtle way n school master among I:is pupils. You feel instinctively that his 1 is the guiding mind and the dominant ' will. There is authority even in the 1 way ho claps his hands for the ball. . ; Anyone meeting Armstrong in the | street might imagine him to be a i<--tired merchant with a rooted objection to exercise in any form and a taste for cigars and good living. A Falstaff in build, his easy-going appearance seems ' the reflection of an indolent disposition. He suggests armchairs rather than Test matches. But all this is as deceptive as his bowling. When he is in flannels he*can sprint a four, do his share in the field, and carry on a tireless warfare with brain and hand from eleven o clock to half-past six. There has never been a captain more genially hostile. He exudes good humour. His big. round face with its two chins is made for smiles. But his good-natured countenance and easy-going air hide much strength of character and a quick-thinking, <mhtly scheming brain— a very cunning brain ns applied to the game of cricket. He beams—and plots. His howling has caused a lot of hard thinking among cm- batsmen. His stvlo might he described ns strategic simplicity. or guilt masquerading as innocence. The big body of the bowler agitated into an ambling run, the long arm swung over easily—almost languidly—the ball tossed high and invitingly towards the batsman, only to !>o timidly patted back—how familiar and hew exasperating to English eyes all this has become 1 Runs almost cease to he a part of the game when Armstrong puts himself on to bowl. ‘lt seems as if he mesmerises our fellows."—that is a remark frequently heard when the Australian captain is howling. And no doubt his lighting mind, his strength of purpose his concentration, till have an influence upon the batsmen. When years have passed and much that the present Australian team have done has grown shadowy, memories of their giant skipper, beaming, manoeuvring, dominating, will remain vividly clear. His personality grips. In the sunny world of cricket Warwick Armstrong is a very great, man indeed.