Clem Hill's Reminiscences

lunch came the total was 173 without the loss of a wicket. Trumper was then a century. No batsman had made a century before lunch previously, but since then Macartney and Bradman have done it. The innings ended at 299, Lockwood obtaining six wickets and Rhodes four. The Englishmen replied with 262, of which Jackson made 128. In the second innings we were all for 86, Lockwood having taken 5 for 28 and Rhodes 3 for 26. It looked as if after having been in the lead on the first innings we would be beaten. England required only 123. Rain which had fallen intermittently during the whole match continued through the second night fairly heavily. It was some time on the third day before the game was resumed. Then in the half hour before lunch Palairet, brother of the co-manager of the English team now in Australia, and MacLaren made 36 without being separated. During the adjournment MacLaren, the English captain, came to our dressing room, and in his usual spirit of banter called out, ‘You old dogs, we’ve got you this time!’ To which Joe Darling replied, ‘You never can tell, Archie, until we have really been beaten.’ On resuming, Saunders bowled Palairet. One for 44. Only 80 to get and nine wickets in hand. Tyldesley came in. He was in his own county, and much was expected of him. When he was 16, Armstrong caught him in the slips off Saunders. Two for 68. With MacLaren going well it did not look good for the Australians. With four more runs added Duff brought off a beautiful catch off Trumble in the deep field on the off side, and thus disposed of the English captain. Australians’ blood was up It began to dawn on us that we had a fighting chance. Three for 72. A little later play had to be suspended on account of rain. This made the wicket easier. The home side, however, began to make hard work of it. Ranjitsinhji came in and I have never seen him give such a poor display. Anybody would have thought that he was on the worst wicket it was possible to produce, and was up against unplayable bowlers. He poked about like a novice, and nobody, not even Ranji himself, was surprised when he was given out lbw to Trumble. Four for 92. Did we have a chance? England only wanted 32 and had six wickets in hand. While we waited for the next batsman to come in we considered that we might be able to win, as the wicket had become sticky again. Our fighting blood was up, and we went to our positions on the field determined to win. We were on our toes. How we fielded! And how Trumble and Saunders bowled! Abel had made nearly all the runs while Ranji was in after the rain. He was bowled by Trumble neck and crop. Five for 97. Our hopes were right up in the sky. Braund and Jackson then became associated and both were batting confidently we were beginning to worry again. Then Jackson tried to place a full toss from Saunders between mid-off and cover point. He must have forgotten who was at cover. Syd Gregory was waiting for such an opportunity, and, leaping up, he brought off a wonderful catch. Six for 107. His Third English Tour 65