Clem Hill's Reminiscences

seen him after bowling at the nets for a couple of hours take a run around the Adelaide Oval, and finish with a 100 yards sprint. He was a slow to medium off break bowler. His most dangerous delivery was a slow, hanging one which dropped a foot shorter than was expected, with the result that the batsmen were caught and bowled by playing too soon. He was very fond of making a little pat to the leg for a single. Another favourite stroke of his was the late cut. He could drive very powerfully on each side of the wicket, and had a wonderful defence. It is on record that Albert Trott, on his return to Melbourne from a game in Adelaide, erected three stumps with a stout box in front where the bat would have been. Then he started to bowl, sending up a ball which would break away, miss the box, and hit the wicket. His brother Harry came along and asked what the box was for. ‘That’ said Albert. ‘That’s George Giffen.’ ‘Easier to get past than George’s bat isn’t it?’ suggested Harry. That’s just it, Harry’ said Albert. ‘I found at Adelaide that straight stuff would never net him, so I’m learning to bowl breaks.’ I was very pleased when George asked me, some years after my retirement from first-class cricket, to lead the South Australian team against Victoria in his benefit match in Adelaide in 1923. A stand at the Adelaide Oval bears his name – a well-deserved tribute to a really great cricketer. The name of Giffen was not the only one which had disappeared from the list of Test players when we took the field against Stoddart’s team for the first match. Donnan had also dropped out. Their places were taken by Jack Lyons who had played for Australia in many previous matches, and Charlie McLeod. Jack Lyons passes from stage This was the last time Lyons played for his country. He had put on weight, was having trouble with his legs, and was slow in the field. His batting had deteriorated. There was no longer that snap and sparkle with perfectly timed shots. He can be described truthfully as Australia’s most scientific hitter. His 149 in two hours against the MCC at Lord’s in 1893 is still looked upon as the finest hitting innings ever played on that ground. We never liked lending him our bat, as we knew it would come back the worse for wear. I recall that when at Albury, I, as a youngster was skylarking on the platform he objected to the noise, and ordered me to bed. I have forgotten whether or not I turned in. The first Test was won by England by nine wickets. We were completely outplayed. MacLaren made 109. It was one of the most polished innings he ever played. He had a great liking for the Sydney ground, and made many centuries there. MacLaren was a true sportsman, whether leading or assisting a side. He never looked for any fine points of the game to take advantage of an opponent. Sharp practices were unknown to him. There was no delaying his side if the wicket were bad, and there was no wasting time towards the end of the afternoon if the light were becoming dull. His one thought was, ‘Play the game for what it is worth,’ and if others did attempt to show any points it was his idea to rise superior to them and give a Stoddart’s Tour of Australia 33