FAMOUS CRICKETERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 6

FAMOUS CRICKETERS

M.C.C. MEN WHO HAVE VISITED N.Z. REMARKABLE COINCIDENCES Remarkable coincidences in connection with the visit of various cricket teams to New Zealand are referred to by a writer in the “Sydney Mail” of November 20. The article states: “Fundamentally the M.C.C. fixtures against the Sheffield Shield elevens are part of its mission, only in so far as the provision of finance is concerned. The cost of the tour is heavy. Gate receipts in the Dominion would not meet the bill. That is why the New Zealand Cricket Council has already expressed its thanks to the Board of Control for the arrangement of the Australian fixtures, the liberal terms (75 per cent, of the gross gates is New Zealand’s share). ‘and the generous way in which the board has once again met and recognised our views and special difficulties.’ “A fine tribute. But the Australian motive, one might say, was not entirely altruistic. An Australian eleven is to be chosen for England. These firstclass English cricketers would provide useful practice for our test aspirants, a chopping block, as it were, an aid to the dissection of rival claims. “The storm of criticism which recently assailed the board because of its lack of enterprise in fostering international exchanges was inevitable. For several years now, as guests and hosts of South Africa, the West Indies, India and New Zealand, England’s cricketers have been gaining experience; their selectors have been trying test temperament and developing talent. The area of experience has been so restricted as to exclude variety of method and novelty. THE EARLY DAYS “That may be one of the reasons for the recent success of Harold Gilligan’s men. It is notable that the fast and fast-medium pace bowling of Allom, Nichols and Barratt has done the damage. Other contributing factors may be the spirit of freedom, elimination of the fear of defeat, and activity in the field. In any case the preliminary record, for the side is admittedly not of test match strength, is one of which the visitors may be proud. “Four of the early English combinations which visited Australia between the ’6o’s and 80’s of last century took New Zealand in their stride, matches against odds of 18 or 22 being Lhe rule. It was not until 1902 that New Zealand had its first official visit. The present is the fourth English side with a tour of the Dominion as its definite objective. Linked with each of the three preceding teams are the names of subsequently illustrious players. Moreover, there is a sheerly remarkable series of coincidences relating to their leadership. Lord Hawke was to have captained the 1902-03 team but on the eve of departure handed control over to P. F. Warner. In the following season Warner was captain of the M.C.C. team which wrested the ashes from Australia on Australian soil. Because of an early injury to E. G. Wynyard the leadership of the 1906-07 team devolved upon J. W. H. T. Douglas. Five years later Douglas took charge from Warner, indisposed, of the M.C.C. team, which again wrested the ashes from Australia. A. P. F. Chapman was the leading light of A. C. MacLaren's band of amateurs who passed through Australia to and from New Zealand in 1922-23. He was destined to lead the eleven which, at the Oval in 1926, recovered the ashes after England’s longest period of depression. Three of England’s victorious chieftains were thus associated with successive expeditions to New Zealand. To complete the chain, it may bo remembereded that A. E. R. Gilligan was chosen to lead the present side. The reins of control were handed to his brother because of the former’s indisposition. Is there a prospective English captain among the tourists? “Many famous players have participated in the trips to the Dominion. B. J- T. Bosanquet and F. F. Fane were in the 1902-03 team; F. S. Calthorpe and A. P. Freeman were here seven years ago. C. H. Gibson was a member of that side. His bowling would have been invaluable had he been available to accompany A. E. R. Gilligan’s eleven to Autsralia in 1924.

“None of these teams, however, was as strong or as attractive as the present side promises to be. There Is every evidence of admirable leadership on the part of A. H. H. Gilligan. Even though his generalship has not seriously been called into question in the march through the Southern States he has revealed a capacity for inspiration to daring methods. One of his opening batsmen is E. H. Bowley, of his own county, Sussex. In his absence Gilligan himself partnered E. W. Dawson, and with distinction, in the first innings, against Victoria. It was a fine example to set, particularly as he is not an outstanding run-getter or recognised defender. “He and Frank Woolley; W. Cornford, the smallest of English wicketkeepers, who has been “taking” Tate with success for seasons past; F. Barratt, M. J. C. Allom, M. S.- Nichols and S. Worthington, the quartet of pace bowlers of fine physique; and the carefree amateur batsmen whose sixes have imprinted their prowess on the Southern scoring books, will be welcomed to the Sydney Cricket Ground.”