100 Years Ago: 17 October 1924

Rain in Perth as Trialists shine

The latest in the ACS’s planned series of auctions kicked off last weekend. It closes at 10:00 BST on Monday, October 21, and should have plenty to interest those who follow cricket in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. The auction also contains some statistical material, a small selection of narrative books by EW Swanton, and a tranche of 35 lots on women’s cricket. Register now to avoid missing out.

Day 1

Perth: Western Australia v M.C.C.

No Play — Rain

“Home from home,” the England players probably sighed, as they experienced the familiar sight of rather unseasonable heavy rain pouring down at Perth and completely washing out the first day of their opening match of the tour against Western Australia.

Sydney: New South Wales v Australian XI

Three Centuries for New South Wales

NEW SOUTH WALES 476/7 (H L Collins 106, W Bardsley 90, J M Taylor 111, A F Kippax 115, C Kelleway 18*, G E Nothling 3*; P M Hornibrook 2 wkts, C V Grimmett 2 wkts, A J Richardson 2 wkts). AUSTRALIA XI to bat.

This match is in the nature of a Test trial, played as a testimonial match for the former Australian bowler Bill Howell.  New South Wales played a rather weak-looking eleven, captained by Clem Hill at the age of 47, drawn from the other eastern states of Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.  Herbie Collins and Warren Bardsley put on 181 for the first wicket, with Collins playing with unusual freedom and brilliance to score his 106 in two hours.  Charlie Macartney (7) and Tommy Andrews (8) missed out.  Later Johnny Taylor and Alan Kippax put on 219 for the fifth wicket, both also reaching their centuries within two hours, and ten more runs by Bardsley would have made four centuries on the same day.  Jack Gregory is playing for New South Wales, probably a sign that he will be available for the Test matches, but he scored only 9, caught on the boundary in attempting a six.