Lives in Cricket No 21 - Walter Read

64 According to the press After the match was over an allusion was made in conversation to Spofforth having cut up the wicket with his feet. This so annoyed the demon bowler that he struck out at Mr. Read, of the English eleven. Fortunately for Spofforth, the genial Surrey secretary is as good tempered as he is muscular and contented himself by smiling upon his ill mannered adversary. 116 Read’s version of events is different. He states that Barlow was the first to be accused, as a result of which, the counter-allegation was levelled against Spofforth. Here is a curious protest that was made in one of our matches: I think it was at Melbourne. It was alleged that the plates in Barlow’s boots did great damage to the turf, and the English captain’s attention was drawn to “Barlow’s boots.” The Hon Ivo Bligh, with great courtesy, had the offending plates removed, a proceeding which gave great umbrage to the wearer, who declared he had played with the same plates in his boots in all the county matches in England and that a suspicion of unfair play had never been entertained against him during his cricketing career at home. A counter-charge was now brought against Spofforth by several of the Englishmen, who accused that bowler of unlawfully putting spikes into his boots to cut up the turf. Spofforth brought evidence to show that he only used one nail and one spike – less than any other cricketer uses – in the present match. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the umpires, and if they saw a player using unfair means to cut up the turf, those functionaries had it in their power to stop the malpractice. 117 Three days later, the satirical Bulletin reduced the episode to the farce it almost certainly was. Song of the Spike - A Cricketing Carol Twas in the dressing room, and lo, When all were gathered round Spoff cut up rough on Barlow 'cause He cut up rough the ground. “Those cursed spikes!” The Demon cried, 116 The Age 30 January 1883 117 Annals of Cricket p 170-171 Australia 1882/83 and 1887/88