McCORMICK’S BOWLING

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 14 (Supplement)

McCORMICK’S BOWLING

SOME “HOT” ENGLISH COMMENT A TOUCH OF “BODYLINE” A recent English paper publishes a photograph of Leyland waving McCormick away, “apparently in disgust,” after Australia’s fast bowler had hit the great Yorkshire lefthander in one of the earlier Tfcsts. Robins was in much the same position on February 1, when the Victorian hit the popular Middlesex captain in consecutive overs. As a matter of fact there has been some “hot” comment in English papers, by their Australian commentators, on McCormick’s body-liners. In this connection the following criticism after the Victoria v. South African game at Melbourne, in 1931, is interesting: “With Blackie incapacitated, the Victorian bowling against the South Africans was greatly weakened, and the attack developed largely on Ironmonger and McCormick, each of whom took five wickets, the cost being 87 and 65 runs respectively. “Ironmonger, of course, was regarded as keeping one end safe, and there was interest as to how McCormick and Nagel, the new bowlers, would shape. Nagel was unsuccessful, although bowling welL “McCormick is looked upon as one of our bowling hopes, but, although he came out with the best figures, he was somewhat erratic in his direction, and his length might have been better. He was able to make the ball bump a good deal, but frequently bowled wide of the wicket on both sides. Several times Barnett, the wicketkeeper, had to jump across to take balls wide on either side. “He sent down many very good balls, however, and if he concentrates on the wicket more there Is no reason why he should not do very well. He has everything in his favour and should develop. “Don Blackie has struck misfortune right at the outset of the season, and is likely to be out of the game for some weeks. While batting against the South Africans he was struck on the left hand by a bumping ball from Bell, the fast bowler, and an X-ray examination showed two bone fractures of the little finger. Blackie Is the third prominent Victorian player who has suffered fractures in the hand through being struck by fast bowlers in the last two or three seasons, the others being Ponsford and Woodfull.”