MEMORIES OF VOCE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 311, 17 December 1936, Page 7

MEMORIES OF VOCE.

Historic Cricket Match Recalled.

Born on August 8,. .1909, William Voce, tlio Notts left-armed express bowler, was Harold Larwood’s partner in Australia four years ago, when bodyline bowling rocked the cricket universe. Loft out of the fourth Test at Brisbane, Voce Look 15 wickets in the other four games for 407 thus, at an average cost of 27.13?. After the long “inquest” on bodyline, Voce, like Larwood, was not brought into action against Australia in the 1934 Tests in England, despite many Press S.O.S. calls i'Sr their reinstatement. But when Woodfull and company visited Trent Bridge on August 11, 13 and 14, .for the Notts County engagement, Voce set the train to another explosion that shook English cricket foundations.

Commenting on the game, Wisden’s stated: “This match, rendered unpleasant by the antagonistic, attitude of the spectators towards the visitors, ended in a draw. The Australians, encountering ‘direct-attack- bowling for the first time during the tour, fared none too well. During Voce’s various spells of bowling the Australian batsmen were obviously uncomfortable with short-pitched deliveries, and found themselves subjected lo considerable barracking. Voce placed five men on the leg-side, four of them close to the batsman, and, of his eight victims for 6(5, in the first innings, five fell to catches in this ‘leg-trap.’ The absence of Voce, on the final morning -was stated to be due to sore %hins, and it began, a series of rumours, the crowd apparently attributing his -withdrawal from the match to an. Australian protest. Consequently, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile and when the Australians took the field for the last innings, they -were greeted with a storm of hooting. Voce had been taken off on the Monday afternoon, when he hadi bowled two overs in the second innings, one run coming off each., It Was then that he made them fly more dangerously than in the first innings.

Following 1 the Australian team’s visit supporters of the country became annoyed, and for many months intense strife ,was rife, terminating in .the resignation of the committee, after a no-confidence vote. This adverse decision was'rescinded on March 21, 1935, when 2000 members at theannual general meeting of the County Club gave the assurance asked for by the Advisory County Cricket Committee, representing all. counties, that Nottinghamshire stand by the resolu-, tions passed in November, 1934, condemning “direct-attack” bowling. The hatchet was buried with the selection of Voce for the present tour of Australia.*