LIves in Cricket No 31 - Walter Robins

49 returned from Australia with the Ashes, should not continue as England’s captain in the series against the West Indies. It was, indeed, a popular choice and Jardine received a standing ovation from the public, and most MCC members in the pavilion, when he went out to bat at Lord’s in the First Test of the 1933 season. Even without the benefits of Warner’s patronage, Robbie was sure of a place in the England line-up at Lord’s and he repaid the trust of Hawke and Jardine with a fine spell of bowling. Play on the first day was seriously reduced by rain and when the West Indies finally started their reply to England’s 296 all out, they quickly collapsed to 55 for six before the close of play on Monday evening with Robbie having taken two of their wickets. When play resumed on the third and final day Jardine soon brought Robbie into the attack and he took all of the remaining wickets while West Indies could only add another 42 runs. His final figures were six for 32, his best Test return. Following on, the West Indies improved until Robbie had Barrow lbw at 56 for two, and with Headley falling to Gubby Allen after reaching his half-century, the rest of the wickets fell to Macaulay and Verity to give England an innings victory. Immediately the Lord’s Test was over on the Tuesday evening, Robbie and the West Indian tourists travelled up to Nottingham where he would face them again in a two-day match for Sir Julien Cahn’s XI that began the next day. It would be two weeks before he was back playing first-class cricket and he managed to fit in only two county matches before the start of the Second Test, at Old Trafford. Robbie’s performance in the First Test had guaranteed his place in the England team for the Second Test but he might have wished afterwards Part-Time Cricket Sir Julien Cahn’s XI in 1933. Standing (l to r): ‒, C.R.N.Maxwell, G.F.Summers, H.R.Munt, S.D.Rhodes, E.P.Solbé, T.B.Reddick, J.R.Gunn (umpire). Seated: D.P.B.Morkel, R.W.V.Robins, F.C.W.Newman, Sir J.Cahn, ‒, F.J.Seabrook, G.F.H.Heane.