NOT THE SAME

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 429, 13 January 1933, Page 7

NOT THE SAME

CRICKET TESTS GAMES IN AUSTRALIA MORE FULL OF INCIDENT THAN IN ENGLAND. HUMORIST'S IMPRESSIONS. Test cricket in England and test cricket in Australia are not exactly the same thing (says the Sydney Referee). The English tests as a rule flow along, with the crowds enjoying it in much the same way as they enjoy a good drama at the theatre. In Australia, as a rule, a test brings into operation high lights, sensations, the comedy of cricket, the tragedy of cricket, the funeral of cricket. It brings all these things and others into the game, and all in the same day at times. The fortunes, of the sides rise and fall, and in the end you are often not certain that the better side has actually won. When it is all over you ma / indulge in "ifs" to your heart's content; and | even then have plenty more coming if ; you feel that way. The Test in England is more reposeful, more stately, ; . more dignified. Each in its own way i and in front of its own crowds is j : quite all ri'ght. • | Most Australians enjoy an English I test, though they are not thrilled and at the end may he left cold beeause ' there has been no finality — just a barren and unpoetic drawn garuo. "Give nle a test in Australia," they say, no matter how much they may enjoy the test at Lord's or Kennington Oval, or at Leeds, or at Manchester (when the rain is not master). Most Englishmen seeing their first test in Australia like it, and don't like it. They feel the thrills and the pride if England wins. But they also feel that it. is not what they are used to. All Englishmen are not exactly built that way, of course. For instance, there is the humorist of cricket, Cecil Parkin. In his first hook, "Parkin on Cricket," he gives his impressions of a test match out in Australia. To-day these may be timely to reproduce. Parkin was a very popular fellow with the barrackers, beeause, like Patsy Hendren, he had more than a glimmer of humour in his make-up. Parkin, who loves cricket as it is played Englancl more than as it is played in Australia, was able to see a fair lot of the other side of the angle. He wrote: — An Englishman's View. "A crowd of fifty th'ousand sits in the terrifie sunshine. To see a test match Australians had been known to travel a thousand miles. Work is suspended in the afternoons, and a contrast with the packed ground is the quietness of everyyhere just outside. Sometimes when the heat is unbearable, you will see th'ousands of speetators sitting in shirt-sleeves, even without their waistcoats. Boys g o round the ground all day long • selling ices and iced drinks, and there is a great demand for "tonsil varnish." It is a candid crowd, too. If you make a mistake you have to go through it. I remember during the first test match I somehow got fielding in the long-field. The crowd behind me kept shouting, "What's your name, Cocky? Who said you could play cricket? It's a rumour." "They are not particular whom they barrack. The Australian players catch it themselves. You can imagine that this running comment from the crowd makes the proeeedings lively. Taking them on the whole, I eonsider th'e Australian crowds splendid. They are tremendously enthusiastic. The passion for cricket in Australia is.far greater than anything we know over here. Even our £cup-tie fevers' do not go to a greater heat than the test match fever in Australia. Evrwhndy seems to he crazy on the game — men, women and children. "Wherever the M.C.C. team travelled there were scenes of indeserihahle excitement and festivity. As our team passed through stations far away up-country whole villages turned out, headed by the corporation to give us a greeting. Whenever we set foot at a railway destination, the local Mayor was there, and 'Welcome to our City' hecame a password in our ranks. We all made many friends £down under,' for the hospitality of your .Australian sportsmen is not to be equalled the world over:"