Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

34 Chapter Four Restoration There were two domestic seasons before the next Test opportunity would come the way of the South Africans - in 1938/39 when the MCC would tour. Those two summers would see if the locals could find some players to challenge what would certainly be a strong opposition. Eric’s attempts to regain a place lost to whom he considered lesser cricketers did not go to plan as he endured the two worst seasons of his career. In 1936/37 he played five matches, scoring 287 runs at 31.88. He began well with 102 for the City of Johannesburg against The Rest, following it with 45 and 54 in the drawn Currie Cup game against Natal. From there his form fell away in the remaining games. The next summer was even worse. In seven games he made 189 runs at 15.75. His second-innings 54 against Border at East London was the only time he passed the half-century during the season. It was certainly not the kind of form to make the selectors choose him when 1938/39 came around. For the first time a fully representative England team was to tour South Africa and, in another first, all Tests were to be played on turf, as were the games against the provinces. In fact the only two games on the mat were those in Rhodesia. The MCC team was led by Walter Hammond. The former professional had become an amateur in order to captain his country. With him came a strong batting side, the star being Len Hutton who had set the Test record score of 364 against Australia just a few months before at The Oval. Bill Edrich and Eddie Paynter were others expected to do well with the bat along with Norman Yardley, Bryan Valentine and Hugh Bartlett. Paul Gibb was also a capable keeper, but he would play this series as a batsman. He was an unusual character with a fondness for vast quantities of ice cream and he may also have been the first player to wear a headband. Denis Compton was the only significant absentee, required by contract to stay and play football for Arsenal. Les Ames was the keeper and was also a fine batsman. The attack