CRICKET HERO

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 7

CRICKET HERO

AUSTRALIA’S LATEST,

ARCHIE JACKSON’S TRIUMPH

SYDNEY, Feb. 7. Evorvone seems to lie talking about

Australia’s latest cricket hero Archie Jackson, whose IG4 in his first Test match will go down in history as one of the most remarkable, feats in the sporting world. To say that Jackson’s feat in scoring a century in his first international game gave universal satisfaction would he putting it mildly. New Zealanders can scarcely understand how seriously Australia takes its cricket. Can they picture the crowds that anxiously scan the scoring boards on the newspaper offices, gazing upwards for hours with a display of interest that could not be more apparent if they were on the very ground ? Can they picture tile throngs at every wireless establishment, listening to every word that comes over the air, direct from the ground? Certainly they can never imagine the “atmosphere” which a Test creates. In Sydney on Monday Jackson’s progress towards his hundred was followed run by run. His success was known at the instant of its achievement, so complete were the arrangements, and a hearty cheer greeted it. Jackson is not yet 20 years of age, hut lie has been in the public eye since the early age of 15, when his ability as a batsman was first recognised. He learnt his game at Balmain Public School, Sydney, and ever since he first played for his school his admirers nave been forecasting his highest Honours for thi. s modest youth. He came into prominence when a memlier of the Balmain District Cricket Club saw him at practice. He was then in knickerbockers. His latent ability was quickly recognised and he was given special attention, being sent with a number of other colts to the care of ~ir J. SeaiTo, the official coach ol the association. AYliilo at school Jackson, who a pea ml to lie a natural cricketer excellent in bowling, batting, and lidding, but on leaving school he specialised in hutting and fielding. At a very early stage the well-known international howler, Arthur Mailey, was more tlian favourable impressed witu the youth’s ability, and prophesied that lie would become a Test player. This lias been borne out in a striking manner. Jackson first joined the State team when ho was 17, and be gave many bright displays. However, he could never make runs in the first- innings although he scored consistently in the second. This proved that lie was not a hoy to he depressed by failure- that lie had the right temperament to make him a successful cricketer. Since then lie has gained confidence, and he has proved his first innings ability, nay, his ability in the most difficult of all positions, that of mi “opening” batsman. His old fault was to Hick at the off theory, nut lie seems to have conquered this, iind during his great innings at Adelaide. when many traps were set for mm. he refused to he Lem pled. He is uL his host when he is alter runs; and his test experience should increase hiconfidence.

Jackson has joined the company of 0. Mannerman, .1. (Iraliam, It. A. Duff, H, J. llarligan, 11. L. Collins, and W. 11. Consford, among the Australians, and W. (». Grace, K. S. Eanjitsinhji K. E. Foster, (!. Cnnn, and 11. Sutclilfe, among the Englishmen, in making a eentnrv in his first Test match. Come of ilwwe centuries were * made when the side badly needed runs. No position could have been worse than that which Jackson faced—three wickets down for 19.