Famous Cricketers No 76 - J.N.Crawford

SEASON’S AVERAGES Batting and Fielding M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct Other matches 5 6 0 147 58 24.50 - 1 9 Career 182 283 26 7886 232 30.68 11 38 148 Bowling O M R W BB Ave 5i 10m Other matches 116.2 21 359 33 6-40 10.87 3 - Career 5010 1134 14227 688 8-24 20.67 44 8 1913/14 – in Australia Crawford’s financial dealings with the SACA reveal him both as mercenary and as an awkward ‘cuss’. The latter aspect of his personality needs to be taken into account lest he be considered merely an establishment victim in his parting with Surrey. In early December he sent what the local association described as ‘an arrogant letter’ requiring leave of absence in February and March 1914 and assurance of a renewal of his agreement then six months from full term. Crawford played five games in what proved to be his final season for South Australia, four Sheffield Shield matches against New South Wales and Victoria, and also against a New Zealand touring side. Although the state side performed moderately Crawford was in good form with the bat and was outstanding with the ball (34 wickets at 20.50). His highest innings was his first against NSW in Sydney when he blazed 91 in 89 minutes and then took 10 wickets for 160. Crawford captured first innings figures of 7-78 in the return match against NSW in Adelaide but missed out against New Zealand. Ironically during this penultimate match the SACA Ground and Finance Committee granted him six weeks leave to tour New Zealand with Arthur Sims’ Australian side and offered him a further three year contract. The terms of the contract were £160 per year plus coaching fees which took his income to around £300. His last match from 13-17 February 1914 produced no slackening of effort as he captured 11-145 in his state’s win over Victoria but behind the scenes Crawford was seeking to double his salary or resign in order to secure a position in New Zealand. He then signed a new contract with the SACA before departing on his tour. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 183. South Australia v New South Wales, Sydney, December 19, 20, 22, 23 (South Australia won by 19 runs) c C.G.McKew b R.J.A.Massie 91 281 36 7 89 5 C.Kelleway b 307 W.Bardsley c R.E.Mayne C.G.Macartney c W.L.Chamberlain A.A.Mailey b R.J.A.Massie b b T.J.E.Andrews 40 290 35 8 71 5 C.G.Macartney b 245 V.T.Trumper b H.H.Davis c W.L.Chamberlain T.J.E.Andrews c C.E.Pellew R.J.A.Massie c H.P.Kirkwood 184. South Australia v Victoria, Melbourne, December 26, 27, 29, 30 (Victoria won by five wickets) c T.J.Matthews b J.Ryder 24 245 23 5 63 4 R.L.Park c C.L.Winser 140 1 F.A.Baring c C.L.Winser V.S.Ransford c D.M.Steele J.L.McNaughton b c and b W.H.Cannon 20 246 36 6 111 1 R.L.Park b 354-5 29