TEST MATCH BROADCASTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 551, 2 January 1929, Page 14

TEST MATCH BROADCASTS

AUSTRALIAN APPRECIATION The important part which broadcasting is now taking in reporting sporting events was exemplified during the first test ma;ch played in Brisbane. Cable messages from London state that cricket scores for the first time took precedence over all other items on the programme from the British Broadcasting Corporation’s Stations, following in order of priority the announcement of the bulletin in regard to the King’s health. A further cable stated that his Majesty listened with interest to the cricket scores as they were broadcast each day. Other instances of the manner in which broadcasting from the cricket ground is being made use of by some of the players is shown in the case of C. E. Kelleway and Warwick Armstrong, who were both prevented from seeing portions of the test match through illness. Kelleway, it will be remembered, was ill with ptomaine poisoning, and Armstrong with an injured foot, and when notified that they must remain in their rooms their first action was to have wireless sets installed so that they could hear descriptions of the actual play. The New South Wales Broadcasting Company, Limited, has received many congratulations upon the services rendered by them through Stations 2FC and 2BL. during the progress of the match. Particular reference has been made to the service that was inaugurated during this match of progressive descriptions of the play at frequent intervals throughout the day. These were prepared as the result of a series of half-hourly telephone conversations with Brisbane, and covered details which explained to listeners many of the more interesting happenings in regard to the scores and dismissals of the players. An English visitor, Mr. H. R. Ruthven, expressed the value of this service in rather an interesting way. He said: “An unfortunate accident prevented my going to Brisbane to see the first test match. This meant that I was confined to my room at my hotel; but being the fortunate possessor of a portable wireless set, I determined at least to hear the scores. To my surprise, however, I received much more than the bare scores, for from time to time a progress description of the day’s play was conveyed to me over the air. It seemed to me almost impossible to believe that at a distance of over 600 miles away from the match, I could have got so much descriptive information so rapidly upon its actual performance. When I return to the Old Country I shall not be backward in letting my friends know how well catered for, by the Sydney stations, are the cricket lovers resident in New South Wales." Traders throughout the city, suburbs and country also had an opportunity of demonstrating the rapidity of wireless as a means of conveying the cricket results to the general public. Many shops were inundated and the crowds in many places blocked the footpaths .for the greater part of each day, discussing the results already received and waiting for further news.