A Tasmanian detour
100 Years Ago: 23 January to 2 February 1925
Launceston: Tasmania v M.C.C.
Day 1
Sandham Holds Together Tired M.C.C.
M.C.C. 218 (A Sandham 116, R Kilner 21, W W Whysall 26; A C Newton 3/60, A H Davis 4/85). TASMANIA 71/3 (G H Allan 21, D C Green 30*).
M.C.C. rested most of their top players from this match after the exhausting third Test match, but those who did play were not up to scratch, and M.C.C. would have been in trouble had it not been for a superb innings from Andy Sandham, who scored over half their total. The whole team could manage only 218 playing the team against which Bill Ponsford scored his quadruple-century two years ago. Sandham was unusually fluent, taking just over 2½ hours over his innings. His only major partnership was 75 for the sixth wicket with Dodger Whysall, who played a steady supporting innings. Jack Hearne is fit again, but was run out for 6.
Maurice Tate, whose toe surprisingly allowed him to play, took an immediate wicket when Tasmania batted, but at 71 for three they were making reasonable progress by the close. Arthur Gilligan is also playing in this match, but he will not be bowling again yet.
Day 2
Hendren Builds Winning Position
M.C.C. 218 and 331/7 dec (J L Bryan 46, A Sandham 51, E H Hendren 101*, A E R Gilligan 60, R Kilner 39; A P Findlay 4/91). TASMANIA 166 (D C Green 31, A H Davis 28, P G Henty 32; M W Tate 2/39, J W Hearne 2/43, R Kilner 5/35) and 30/2 (R L Bennett 20, D C Green 4*). Overnight score was: Tasmania (1) 71/3 (Green 30*).
Tasmania began the day with a collapse to Roy Kilner, who, helped by a strong wind, took four quick wickets to reduce them to 93 for seven wickets. There was a good rearguard action from the later batsmen, though, and the innings lasted almost until lunch for 166, a deficit of 52.
M.C.C. seemed to have recovered their energy when batting in the second innings, although Jack Hearne failed again, out for 7. Jack Bryan and Andy Sandham put on 85 for the first wicket, while Patsy Hendren was in great form. He shared a partnership of 109 runs in only 36 minutes with Arthur Gilligan, who hit 60 in that time, and reached his century in just over 1½ hours. When Roy Kilner was out immediately afterwards Gilligan declared, and M.C.C. managed to dismiss both Tasmanian openers in the half-hour left before the close.
Day 3
Tasmania Go Down Fighting
M.C.C. 218 and 331/7 dec. TASMANIA 166 and 264 (G W Martin 121, A P Findlay 39, A C Newton 41; M W Tate 2/47, H Howell 3/43, R K Tyldesley 3/63). M.C.C. won by 119 runs. Overnight score was: Tasmania (2) 30/2 (Green 4*).
M.C.C. completed their expected victory over Tasmania today, although they met with unexpected resistance. It looked like an easy ride for them when they had five wickets down for 62 runs, but Geoff Martin scored a superb century in an innings lasting just over two hours, and shared partnerships of 100 for the sixth wicket with Algie Findlay and 78 for the seventh with Colin Newton. Then Harry Howell came on and finished the innings with three quick wickets.
Hobart: Tasmania v M.C.C. (2nd match)
Day 1
Tate Fit and Flourishing Again
TASMANIA 89 (A C Newton 23; M W Tate 6/26, A P Freeman 2/31). M.C.C. 217/2 (H Sutcliffe 89*, A Sandham 92, J L Bryan 29, E H Hendren 2*; A W Shugg 2 wkts).
With this match being played at Hobart, the selectors named a Hobart man as captain, and this happened to be Hubert Myers, the 50-year-old former Yorkshire player. Recent rain had made the pitch very soft and difficult early on, and Lady Luck as usual favoured the stronger side in the toss; Arthur Gilligan won it, unlike in the Test matches, and put Tasmania in. Maurice Tate enjoyed the conditions, removing both openers quickly, including Myers without a run on the board, and then returned later to skittle out the last four wickets; he is obviously back almost to normal. The local batsmen found him nearly unplayable.
The pitch had improved when M.C.C. went in, opening with Herbert Sutcliffe and Andy Sandham; Jack Hobbs, who suffers from seasickness, has been excused to voyage to Tasmania. Sutcliffe played in his usual sound style and was overshadowed by Sandham, who continued his freer style of play that he showed at Launceston, scoring 92 of the opening partnership of 161 in less than two hours, batting superbly.
Day 2
Another Big Century for Sutcliffe
TASMANIA 89 and 101/2 (H Myers 35*, G H Allan 22, C W B Martin 15*). M.C.C. 449 (H Sutcliffe 188, E H Hendren 50, R Kilner 24*, A P Freeman 26; A C Newton 2/102, A K E Watt 3/57, A W Shugg 2/61). Overnight score was: M.C.C. (1) 217/2 (Sutcliffe 89*, Hendren 2*).
The day’s play was dominated by the big innings of Herbert Sutcliffe, whose 188 broke his own record for the highest individual innings played by the team so far this tour. It was an attractive innings that lasted just under four hours, and he played fine forcing strokes all round the wicket, especially after reaching his century. He and Patsy Hendren put on 129 for the third wicket, but there was rather a slump in the middle order after the score had reached 336 with only two wickets down. Batting a second time 360 runs behind, Tasmania did much better than in their first innings, having the use of a good batting pitch this time.
Day 3
Howell Bowls Out Tasmania
TASMANIA 89 and 224 (H Myers 40, C W B Martin 35, G W Martin 20, R L Bennett 38; H Howell 6/96, A P Freeman 3/53). M.C.C. 449. M.C.C. won by an innings and 136 runs. Overnight score was: Tasmania (2) 101/2 (Myers 35*, C W B Martin 15*).
As expected, M.C.C. cruised to a big innings victory against the weak state team, who did for a long time put up a reasonable showing in their second innings. Hubert Myers, the old Yorkshire player, held together their innings with a patient score of 40 in about 2¾ hours. At one stage the score was 174 with only four wickets down, but then Harry Howell carved his way through the tail and finished with six wickets.
The news is that Arthur Gilligan will probably not be fit enough to play in the Fourth Test against Australia, which starts at Melbourne on 13 February. The team’s vice-captain, Johnny Douglas, is not in good form, so it is possible that Percy Chapman — since an amateur is essential, of course, so as not to bring English cricket into disrepute — may captain the side then. In the meantime, England return to the mainland and play Victoria, the match starting on Friday 6 February.
Mossel Bay: Western Province South-Western Districts v S B Joel’s XI (two-days, not first-class)
Day 1
Century for Holmes
SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICTS 47 (G A L Hearne 17; G Geary 6/26, A S Kennedy 4/19). S B JOEL’S XI 196/3 (P Holmes 104, J C W MacBryan 28, C A G Russell 46*, L H Tennyson 3*).
The Jolly Souls continued their journey eastwards along the coast, and stopped at Mossel Bay to play a Districts team that included George Hearne, who was their only batsman to reach double figures. George Geary and Alec Kennedy bowled unchanged, with help from a strong wind, as the home side was dismissed for 47. Percy Holmes and Jack MacBryan exceeded this between them, making 74 for the first wicket, and Holmes went on to a fluent century in 2½ hours, despite a slow outfield, without giving a chance. The home side’s captain, H N Vincent, lost a leg in a motor accident and plays with an artificial limb; he was out for 1 at No 5 today.
Day 2
Another Innings Victory
SOUTH-WESTERN DISTRICTS 47 and 105 (C C Howland 37*; L H Tennyson 3/29, C S Marriott 3/17, T O Jameson 3/6). S B JOEL’S XI 353/9 dec (C A G Russell 55, E H Bowley 41, T O Jameson 63*, G Geary 22; C C Howland 4/86, C Kleinschmidt 5/84). S B Joel’s XI won by an innings and 201 runs. Overnight score was: S B Joel’s XI (1) 196/3 (Russell 46*, Tennyson 3*).
The Jolly Souls swept to a big innings victory over the local team today. They carried on batting until just after lunch, and then bowled out the Districts a second time. The locals did not start too badly in their second innings, reaching 58 with only the openers out, but the rest of the batting collapsed, none of the others reached double figures. Cecil Howland, who had also bowled well, went in at No 3 and was still not out at the end of the innings.
Grahamstown: Eastern Province v S B Joel’s XI
Day 1
Bowlers’ Day
EASTERN PROVINCE 62 (C K A Gingell 17; G Geary 4/30, A S Kennedy 6/27) and 28/2 (D A L Dold 1*, W H Brann 5*). S B JOEL’S XI 212 (P Holmes 44, E H Bowley 31, A S Kennedy 58, G Geary 37; A L Ochse 2/62, C Munro 7/81).
This is a two-day match, though awarded first-class status, but it looks likely to bring an outright result, despite the good standard of the pitch. Eastern Province are a weak team, although they do include William Brann, who played three Tests against England in 1922/23, and Arthur Ochse, son of the fast bowler who played for South Africa in 1888/89. Batting first, they collapsed to fine bowling from George Geary and Alec Kennedy, who were unchanged; Brann was lbw to Kennedy without scoring.
The Jolly Souls went for runs aggressively, which perhaps cost them wickets at times. Percy Holmes and Ted Bowley put on 65 for the first wicket, while Kennedy survived a middle-order slump to 95 for five to hit a good 58. They led by 150 at the end of the innings, and then removed the Eastern Province opening pair before the close.
Day 2
Tourists Win
EASTERN PROVINCE 62 and 165 (D A L Dold 57, W H Brann 28; G Geary 3/54, A S Kennedy 4/65, C W L Parker 2/14). S B JOEL’S XI 212 and 19/2 (A H H Gilligan 13*; A L Ochse 2 wkts). S B Joel’s won by eight wickets. Overnight score was: Eastern Province (2) 28/2 (Dold 1*, Brann 5*).
Eastern Province did rather better in their second innings than in their first, mainly thanks to Douglas Dold, who scored a dour fifty in 2½ hours. The Jolly Souls needed 16 to win, and sent in Edward Bartley and Father Marriott early for this small amount, but both were dismissed by Arthur Ochse without scoring before Harold Gilligan hit off the runs.
East London: Border v S B Joel’s XI
Day 1
Parker Comes Through
BORDER 200 (E V Miles 44, A J Clarke 38, L E Miles 33; A S Kennedy 3/54, C W L Parker 5/39). S B JOEL’S XI 38/0 (E H Bowley 24*, A H H Gilligan 9*).
As with the match against Eastern Province, this is a two-day match awarded first-class status. The home side is captained by Gerald Hartigan, who played in Tests against England before the war, and has also played them for South Africa in Association football. However, he scored only 5 runs today. Border made a solid start, reaching 80 in almost two hours before their first wicket fell, but never had it so good again. Charlie Parker, who was probably feeling neglected on this tour after his endless spells for Gloucestershire, this time had plenty of work to do and took four wickets. Border batted for most of the day and the tourists may struggle to beat this team in two days.
Day 2
MacBryan Century but Tourists Draw
BORDER 200 and 107/5 (E V Miles 30, L E Miles 27; T O Jameson 3/30). S B JOEL’S XI 311/4 dec (E H Bowley 61, A H H Gilligan 17, J C W MacBryan 114, L H Tennyson 37, T O Jameson 62*; H L E Promnitz 2/53). Match drawn. Overnight score was: S B Joel’s XI (1) 48/0 (Bowley 24*, Gilligan 9*).
As had seemed likely, Border, although not a strong side, were solid enough to force a draw against the Jolly Souls team, who perhaps were rather resigned to a draw and did not make a great effort to win. If they had wanted, they could have got after the bowling more vigorously in their innings, although Ted Bowley played soundly for his fifty and Jack MacBryan made 114 in three hours. Tom Jameson was the most aggressive, scoring at almost a run a ball. But they did not declare until tea, leaving themselves just an hour and three-quarters to bowl out Border a second time, which they failed to do. Border fielded well, but only the spin bowler Louis Promnitz, who was making his début, ever troubled the batsmen.
Sheffield Shield
In a Sheffield Shield match in Sydney, Victoria beat New South Wales by seven wickets. Both teams had to play without their Test players, who had not had time to return from the seven-day Test match at Adelaide. It was a remarkable match, as New South Wales, batting first, amassed 614, with Harry Rock opening the innings and scoring 235, while Alan Kippax at No 4 made 212 not out; the pair added 268 for the third wicket. Victoria replied with 502 (Arthur Liddicut 132, Carl Willis 100) and then bowled out New South Wales for 152. Victoria then made the 265 needed for victory for the loss of only three wickets, Bill Woodfull scoring 120 not out.
New Zealand
In Auckland the home province fought back to beat Wellington by three wickets in their first-class match just completed. Wellington made 443 in their first innings, with the former Cambridge blue David Collins scoring 172, but were bowled out for 75 in their second innings after Auckland had replied with 346. It was a tight struggle as Auckland went in again needing 173 to win, but eventually completed the job with three wickets in hand.
West Indies
In Bridgetown the second match between Barbados and the visiting Jamaica team was also drawn. Barbados put Jamaica in to bat on a rain-affected pitch and bowled them out for 80. They then scored 281 for eight declared and sent Jamaica in again. In better conditions, though, Jamaica easily achieved a draw with a score of 354 for eight, with Oscar Scott making the top score of 94.
In Bridgetown, the final match between Barbados and Jamaica ended in a draw, like the first; in retrospect, two four-day matches would have been better than three three-dayers. Jamaica were dismissed for 188, but Barbados replied with 272 for six declared, Ted Hoad scoring 150 not out. Jamaica plodded their way through the final day to score 265 for eight and force a draw.
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