BARRACKING

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1925, Page 1

BARRACKING

EX PERIEXCES IX A USTR ALIA. GILUCIAN PLEASED. Right from the start of my tour of this great country 1 cannot call to mind any barracking that was not spiced with humour. The Australian spectator has such a way of saying what lie wants to say that there is only one way in which to take him, that is the right way—the spirit in which his sallies are given (says Arthur Gilligan, the English cricket captain). The little banter we experienced in West Australia fitted us out for our next stage of the long tour; that stage was Adelaide. Well, what happened there? My experience in that city .1 shall never forget.

A harrackcr who liked the way wc took the comments of the crowd during our game against South Australia sent me a beautiful travelling rug of the best wool, into which my initials were worked in tho M.C.C. colours. I appreciate the gift from the bottom of mv heart, and the man who sent it to me is still anonymous. “ CHEERED MY MEN.”

The spectators were most unbiased, and not only did they cheer the Australians, but they cheered my men just as much. Whenever there was a line hit of fielding or x fine stroke the crowd applauded spontaneously. And even when any of my team reached 100 or 200 runs, the same cheer went up. Ah, it was splendid! I confess that I expected barracking in Sydney. After the Fcnder-Wilson ,incident at Sydney in 1920-21, I was in doubts as to whether the crowds would not be in two minds about how to treat ns. You know what I mean. But 1 feel sure now that the incident must now be forgotten. My own words at the beginning of the tour were: “We haven’t a single squeaker in this team,” and 1 am sure the Australian crowds are convinced of the truth of this. How humorous and warm-hearted are the spectators in this country. T recall at this moment an incident in our match with Victoria in November. You remember that last day; there was only two hours’ play and Victoria was fighting against tho clock. It was a glorious struggle, t howled practically throughout the two hours, and when one of the batsmen treated me roughly a spectator roared out: “Put yourself on at the other end as well, Gilly,” and another asked: “ Haven’t you got any other howlers?” As a matter of fact 1 had not, as both Woolley and Henrne were on the injured list then. THE SUTCLIFFE INCIDENT.

Then there was the Sutcliffe incident at Brisbane. That did a lot to help to promote good feeling between mv men and the Australian spectators. Herbert Sutcliffe was giving back as good us be got from the scoring hoard srpiad in Brisbane. They liked his wav, and eventually came to the conclusion that he was a good fellow. Then they could not do enough for him; they treated him to champagne land leapt on to the field to present him with a case of pipes.

T am told that this incident is unique in Australia cricket. It was certainly a grand thing. What I like about the Australian crowds is that they understand tlm game; they understand the finer points of the game. Nothing misses them. An when you have crowds like that- watching cricket you may depend upon it that barracking is not repulsive. A most wonderful experience was the first tost played in Sydney. There the crowd were extraordinarily well ordered and well behaved. From 17.000 people you could expect some barracking. There was a mass of faces —what a sight it. was! And yet, at the end of that. day. you would hardly know that a single soul had been present. so quiet was the crowd. It was .really wonderful.