Famous Cricketers No 96 - Clarrie Grimmett

1932/33 The acrimonious ‘Bodyline’ dispute between England and Australia not only became a source of confrontation between the two sides but also involved Grimmett, who had previously appeared in 23 consecutive Tests. There was little to disturb the early stages of the season playing for South Australia. He took wickets in both the MCC and Victoria games, taking 5-161 in the latter fixture, although four possible Test players had been rested in this game. However he took only 1-118 in England’s overwhelming win in the First Test and despite taking further wickets prior to the Second Test, including 6-55 against Queensland, he bowled only 20 overs in the match, with O’Reilly taking most wickets as Australia levelled the series. The highly charged third game against England, with Grimmett again unable to take more than a total of three wickets, persuaded the selectors to look elsewhere, thus bringing to an end a run of 26 matches. It was somewhat ironic that Grimmett had taken 6-49 and 7-86 against Queensland before the decision to leave him out had occurred. All in all it was a difficult situation. His meagre total of 5 Test wickets at sixty-five apiece and his indifferent displays in games against the MCC contrasted sharply with his six appearances in Sheffield Shield matches. Here he managed 43 wickets at 20.13 each, taking five wickets in a innings on five occasions and ten in a match once. However he was forced to yield first place in the number of wickets taken for the first time since 1926/27, O’Reilly claiming 62 wickets at 19.95 as opposed to Grimmett’s 55 at 28.67. Own Team O M R W Opp Ct Total Total 148. South Australia v MCC, Adelaide Oval, November 4, 5, 7, 8 (MCC won by an innings and 128 runs) c L.E.G.Ames b F.R.Brown 17 290 40 5 176 4 H.Sutcliffe c H.C.Nitschke 634-9d M.Leyland c H.C.Nitschke W.R.Hammond st C.W.Walker R.E.S.Wyatt lbw b W.E.Bowes 2 216 149. South Australia v Victoria, Adelaide Oval, November 25, 26, 28, 29 (South Australia won by three wickets) c H.S.T.L.Hendry b H.H.Alexander 7 403 43.3 3 161 5 K.E.Rigg c V.Y.Richardson 454 H.S.T.L.Hendry lbw S.P.King b V.G.Nagel lbw H.H.Alexander lbw not out 5 144-7 13 7 13 1 S.P.King lbw 92 150. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Sydney, December 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (England won by ten wickets) c L.E.G.Ames b W.Voce 19 360 64 22 118 1 R.E.S.Wyatt lbw 524 1 c G.O.B.Allen b H.Larwood 5 164 - - - - 1-0 151. South Australia v New South Wales, Adelaide Oval, December 16, 17, 19, 20 (New South Wales won by three wickets) c S.J.McCabe b W.J.O’Reilly 36 213 39 3 138 4 W.A.Brown c and b 379 1 A.F.Kippax c C.W.Walker S.F.Hird lbw O.W.Bill lbw b G.L.Stewart 0 251 15.2 3 41 2 S.J.McCabe lbw 86-7 O.W.Bill st C.W.Walker 152. South Australia v Queensland, Adelaide Oval, December 23, 24, 26 (South Australia won by ten wickets) not out 0 352 19.5 4 55 6 W.C.Andrews c H.C.Nitschke 134 F.W.Sides c C.W.Walker E.C.Bensted lbw K.L.M.Mossop lbw F.M.Brew b H.S.Gamble b did not bat - 2-0 9 1 31 1 R.K.Oxenham lbw 219 153. AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND, Melbourne, December 30, 31, January 2, 3 (Australia won by 111 runs) c H.Sutcliffe b W.Voce 2 228 16 4 21 1 W.Voce c S.J.McCabe 169 b W.Voce 0 191 4 0 19 0 139 36