Cricket 1909

CR IC K E T : a w e e k l y r e c o r d o f t h e game. MAY 6, 1909. Together joined in Cricket’s manly toil, Byron, No. VOL. XXVIII. THURSDAY, MAY 0, 1909. O n e p e n n y . A CHAT ABOUT S. E. GREGORY. Perhaps the most interestingmember of the Australian team, not even excepting such cricketing giants as Noble, Trumper and Armstrong, is S. E. Gregory, the popular little New South Wales batsman, now pay­ ing his seventh visit to England. Born at Sydney on April 14th, 1870, it is nineteen years since he made his first appearance in a Test match, and it speaks volumes for his physique and skill that at his age he should have been chosen, strictly on his merits, for the present trip. Of the twenty-two men who took part in the Test match at Lord’s in 1890, all save Gregory have retired from first-class cricket, whilst he not only continues to be chosen for inter-State matches— though that alone would be a great distinction in the circumstances— but retains his place in Australia’s best eleven. It was not until the last match of the rubber of 1891-2 that he gained a regular place in the Test team, but, that place once secured, he never looked back. From that date down to the final struggle with Warner’s team in 1903-4 he was never absent from the Colonial side, and his record of thirty-six consecutive appearances which he thus setup has never been equalled by any English or Australian cricketer either before or since. Altogether he has taken part in forty-three such matches, and, with 201 as his highest score, has made 1,887 runs with an average of 26*57. Perhaps the best innings <f his career was his chanceless 103 in the match at Lord’s thirteen years ago. Australia had gone in against a balance of 239, and three wickets Were down for. 62 when Gregory partnered Harry Trott. So gallant a stand did the pair make that in two hours and three-quarters they added 221 together, and the game might well have been saved had they been accorded better support. On three other occasions has Gregory entered three - figure land in Test match cricket, scoring 201 at Sydney (his favourite* ground) in 1894-5,117 at the Oval in 1899, and, when everyone was calling him a back number and denouncing his inclusion in the Australian eleven, a brilliant 112 at Adelaide in 1903-4. He lost his place in the side, however, in the final game of the 1903-4 series, but in 1905 was once more selected to visit England. Prevented by an injury from playing in about half the matches, he was unable to do himself justice, and when, during the following season in Australia, he was no longer chosen to represent New South Wales in the inter-State matches, it really seemed as though his long and brilliant career was at an end. A Testimonial match was played for his benefit at Sydney in February, 1907, E. GBEGOBY. Photo by Ilav'kins <L' Co.] [Brighton. in which he himself took part and scored 94, aud after this recognition of his services to cricket it was generally thought that his course was run, but, to the surprise and delight of all, he returned to the game during the time of the last English tour in Australia. Acting on the advice of Alec Bannerman, he practised assiduously and regained the form of his best days. Two brilliant innings of 201 and 63 for his State against Victoria at Sydney restored him to his old place in the Test team for the last two matches of the rubber. He did well, too, reaching double figures in each of his four innings, and in the game at Sydney making 44 and 56. His average for the whole season was as high as 53*90, but this performance, good though it was, he surpassed duiing 1908-9, when his figures increased to 68*37. It is not only as a run-getter that Gregory excels, for as a fieldsman at cover-point he has had few rivals aud perhaps no superior; it is of interest to recall that the great Australian critic ‘‘ Felix ” classes him above even such “ covers” as Vernon Royle, Jessop, and Briggs. As Gregory has only just com­ pleted his thirty-ninth year there would seem to be no reason why he should not continue to represent Australia for a few more seasons, despite Wisden's somewhat gloomy remark as long ago as 1903— “ One can scarcely expect to see him in England with the next team.” In Australia cricketers are not subjecte d to the strain of con­ stant match-playing and frequent long railway journeys as in England, and should, therefore, be able to maintain their form longer than they would in this country. The inter-State and First-Grade matches tend to keep a man in condition rather than make any strain on his stamina, and as Gregory' plays regularly for the Waverley Club, and is one of the most popular of cricketers, it should be some years yet before his name disappears from the score-book. The heredity of cricket genius is exemplified in his case. His father, Ned Gregory, was in his day one of the best bats­ men in New South Wales, whilst his uncle, Dave Gregory, captained the first Australian team— that which invaded England with such success in 1878. Other members of the family have represented their State on various occasions, aud one of them—C. W. Gregory, to wit—is the holder of the record for the highest innings ever played in a first- class match in Australia—a matter of 383 for New South Wales v. Queensland at Brisbane in November, 1906. Whatever may be in store for the Australians this season, it can­ not be denied that cricketers everywhere would be glad if S. E. Gregory enjoyed a pronounced personal success. T.F.H.