CRICKET FIND

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 5

CRICKET FIND

ABORIGINAL FAST BOWLER

SYDNEY, November 6

In view of the fact that so few of Australia’s aborigines have been successful at sport ,the selection by' the Queensland Cricket Association of the aboriginal, Eddie Gilbert, to represent the State in first-class matches, is of particular interest. It . may so happen that Gilbert will be a find, for Australia is sadly in need.of a really fas" bowler., Gilbert is said to bowl so fast that the flight of the ball cannot be seen from the grandstand. He was discovered during country week in Brisbane, when the various country teams are brought to the city for what is really a try out. Then he was selected to play against the New South Wales colts. So well did he perform on that occasion, taking six good wickets, that lie was selected for the first Sheffield shield match against South Australia. It can fairly be said that he did his part towards securing for Queensland its first outright win in that competit-

ion. Gilbert comes from one of the aboriginal stations, Barrambah from which during the war, all the able-bodied men etnlisted in a body. They were all accepted and proved to be a fine body of men. Gilbert is likewise a fine type with fine broad shoulders and arms fully developed as the result of frequent throwing of the bomerang. Western Queensland also produced the noted boxer, Jerry Jerome. In Melbourne there is an outstanding example ofthe aboriginal athletes. He is Doug. Niclioils, the star wing man of Association football in Melbourne, and he is,a midget as far as aboriginals go, for he is only sft 2in high. He is a great runner, and has won' the chief profesional running race of Victoria. Years ago there was a famous aboriginal footballer in Adelaide, Harry Hewitt, ami lie used to play without boots. As far back as 18(17 a cricket match was played in Sydney between the Albert Club and an aboriginal team of twelve which included a white man as the thirteenth man. This aboriginal team went to England in the following year, and although it was only moderately successful, it was an arresting advertisement for Australia. IVo members of the team played first-class ciickct in Australia on their return. There was another fast bowler, Marsh, who played for New South Wales for some years. He became quite famous even though his deliveries were frequently questioned, and lie was often no-balled. 'Lo confound bis critics be bowled on one ocasion with bis bowling arm in splints. Another notable aboriginal athlete was Charlie Samuels, the New South Wales professional runner.