VICTORIA’S CRICKET CAPTAIN

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 2, 3 January 1940, Page 2

VICTORIA’S CRICKET CAPTAIN

B. A. BARNETT CHOSEN SELECTION IS POPULAR DDE TO GO INTO CAMP SOON. Keith Pflgg’s inability to play Sheffield Shield cricket has resulted in th* appointment of a new Victorian capI tain, and there could have been no more popular choice than Ben Barnett. Not only is he popular with tha Victorian players and public, but he enjoys equal popularity with the players and public of the other states. Hi* geniality, his many-sided activitl |. his ability to entertain in various ways, and his willingness at all times to do whatever he could to make things pleasant have won him an enviable list of friendships, says a writer in The Sporting Globe. One of his strong suits is his ability as a magician, while he is also a very capable amateur actor. His cleverness in card tricks has been the envy of all his comrades on trips away. Also, he is a photographic fiend, and his illustrated lectures on his trips abroad have given pleasure to thousands of followers of the game. Mostly these lectures have been given for charitable and other like causes, without any idea of reward for himself. As he once said to the writer, cricket has done a lot for him, and he feels that he should do something in return. He finds lecturing and the showing of his pictures a pleasant way of doing it. Barnett began his cricket career at Scutch College, where he was noted chiefly as & slow bowler. It was not until he joined up with HawthornEast Melbourne and began to play senior cricket that he took on wicketkeeping seriously, and there is no need to say that the change was a lucky one for him. It has brought him honour and fame, and the pleasure of two trips to England and one to South Africa. It is ten years since he first appeared for Vicloriar; succeeding Jack Ellis as the state's 'keeper, and in that time there has never been any suggestion that he was not the man for the job. He may not be an Oldfield at the famous New South Wales man’s best, but he has not been far behind him. Then he has been one of the most useful left-hand batsmen’ Victoria has nad, and has made more than 2000 runs for the state. His Shield total is 1645 at an average of 27. These are good figures for a man who is played .or his wicket-keeping. How much cricket Barnett will be able to play this season is doubtful, because of military training. He is going into camp next month.

Should it be a fact that Rigg will play no more first-class cricket it will cause regret among cricket followers, for he has been a great performer for Victoria, and has gained the highest nonours that can come to a cricketer in being chosen to represent his country in Test games. The one thing he regrets is that he never had a chance to show his ability in other parts of ihe world, and in this respect many regard him as a very unfortunate crigketer. He played against England, South Africa and the West Indies in Australia, but never had a trip abroad, although few cricketers have done so much as he without gaining that honour. However, he cannot expect such a trip now, but he might be useful to Victoria for some years yet. It is not definite, however, that he will be out of the game for good. There is a possibility that he will be available for big games in Melbourne at the Christmas and New Year period, but it is unlikely that he will be able to visit other states. Rigg first came into prominence with the Melbourne University, but from those days most of his cricket has been played with the Melbourne Club, to which he transferred alter a brief period with Hawthorn-East Melbourne. He had his first game for Victoria 13 years ago, and has been e grand performer for the state, with c total of 4582 runs at an average oi 43, and 13 century scores. In Sheffield Shield games he has made 3931: runs at a similar average. Amon* Victorian batsmen only W. R. Ponsford, W. YV. Armstrong and J. Rydei have scored more. Rigg’s chief vsiue has been as ar opening batsman, where he has proved one of the most successful thai Australia has had. On many occa sions he has been associated in lon* partnership for the first wicket anc others immediately below it, several o; them running Into the third century This is where Victoria may find i' hardest to replace him, for good open ing batsmen are scarce. Apart fron cricket his chief sporting interest nov is in golf, at which he figures on * fairly low handicap mark, but in hi: younger days he was a very good fool jailer in the amateur ranks.

DEMAND AND SUPPLY “Am doze bells ringin' for fir*l” asked old Uncle Caesar of Young Tiberius. “No, uncle,” answered Young Tibe, “dey’s got plenty ob fire already, an’ now de bells am ringin' for water.”