Australia’s Test Cricketers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 9

Australia’s Test Cricketers

SOME PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS Woodfull Likes the Gramophone SOME delightful personal impressions of Australia’s new test cricketers are given by Arthur in a special article m the Melbourne Herald.” For instance, lie makes known the fact that Woodfull is fond of a little gramophone music after an exhausting innings, and Bradman is a demon for the piano.

Jackson, the cricketer, is a counterDart to Jackson the man. Ui s character is reflected on the field. Jackson is never undignified, never awkward, either in speech or carriage, dresses well, and takes a great interest in subjects that will have a refining influence. It is hard to imagine a character such as this playing a crude agricultural shot at Lords. • * * Don Bradman is different in some ways. He is more intense than Jackson. He seems to be always prompted with a desire to do big things. He is sharp, observant, and has a very retentive memory. I really think Bradman's determination and enthusiasm made him a cricketer just as his love of music made him a pianist. Ho is not a genius or an artist at either. * • * Billy Ponsford, dour, sullen, determined. also breaks batting records and bowlers’ hearts, and forgets botli Quickly. Always more or less cynical and very determined, the knock on the hand received from Larwood and public opinion seemed to intensify both virtues. He shows no mercy to bowlers (I know) and expects none. Music has a very fine effect on this interesting and extraordinary cricketer. • * * Music to Woodfull Is like a cool refreshing drink to a parched throat. I have seen him af* — —***— ~ wonderful light for Australia, stagger back into the dressing-room and put his favourite record on (the 1912 or 19 something overtiue I think it was). Shortly after a voice from the shower room. ‘‘l say, put on ‘John Peel.’ That has a bit of a kick. The worries of captaincy wm worry 'Woodfull as much as people think, so long as he has a gramophone and a couple of good records handy. j * * * Alan Kippax. happy, light-hearted, easy-going. He should never have been saddled with the responsibility of skippering New South Wales. Maybe his sense of humour prompted him when he accepted it. I would much rather see him join in the game instead of directing. Not that he is a bad skipper, but his artistry and easy demeanour demand freedom. As a soloist he is capable of brilliant things, but as a conductor his charming individuality is concealed under the beat of an uninteresting baton. KtPPy will be popular in England. Victor Richardson and Kippax are K*ndred spirits, their characteristics fife somewhat similar. Richardson

is, perhaps, more prepared to carry responsibility, and would probably worry over the result less. Richardson has, like many others in the Australian team, courage, and is always prepared to face the worst. Alan Fairfax Is a student of cricket. “I’ll tell you for why.” He and Jackson usually share a bedroom on tour, and discussions regarding the game crop up very often. Fairfax is enthusiastic and keen, and possesses a splendid sense of humour. He will probably require it when some of those English bowlers begin bowling at his ribs. "Wall and Walker, the two South Australians, are two rather serious young cricketers. Perhaps the thought of being chosen with the team has weighed them down a little. They appreciate humour quickly, and occasionally create it; but I have never seen them burst out laughing. Perhaps they have been saving that until the team was announced. Poor Clarrie Grimmett, the only real slow bowler on the side! He’ll have very little to laugh at if he has to bowl as much as he did last year. Clarrie is like Maurice Tate. He gets very confidential; at least, he did so with me. We used to discuss the peculiarities of human beings from a slow bowler’s angle, and invariably finished up arguing whether the waves were running witn me mmu, or standing stationary. Pie will be able to have a good look at the waves this trip—if it’s not rough. • * * Queensland cricketers are not quite like those of the southern States; they seem more serious and more burnt up, as it were. That light spirit of revelry and freedom seems to be lacking. Maybe wonderful cricketers, like Trumper, Hill, Noble, and co., that have come to light in the southern States, have had their influence on those who were destined to follow. Hornibrook and Hurwood are on the serious side, and both are very modest and reliable. Stan. McCabe appears to be rather mellow for one so young. His quiet sophistication seems to be a. part of somebody else, and McCabe is an intelligent cricketer with a great future. His humour is pleasant, subtle, and refreshing. Some say he is the best dancer in the team. I couldn’t say, I haven't seen the treasurer or manager dance yet. • * * Bert Oldfield, the wicket-keeper, with an artist's temperament. I-lighly strung, imaginative, and capable of creative th ought. Few cricketers have that interesting tribute. * # * Ted aVßeckett is another young player, who has a natural charm of manner. I think he is more intelligent than the average first-class cricketer, and is delightfully enthusiastic.