Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

40 Restoration were played out, particularly in Australia where it was standard practice for all Tests. However, it is the Fifth Test between England and South Africa at Durban that is known as ‘the Timeless Test’. While it was standard practice in Australia, provision was often made elsewhere to play the final Test to a finish if the series had not already been decided. This was the case in Durban and there was also a local rule that allowed the groundsman to roll the pitch at any time after rain between one day’s play and the next, if he felt that it would improve the surface. The South Africans must have been delighted to win the toss and take first use of what looked to be an excellent surface. Van der Bijl (125) and Melville (78) got them away to a fine start and then Nourse (103), keeper Ronnie Grieveson (75) and Eric Dalton (57) kept up the advantage in an innings of 530. Eric made 33 in a second wicket partnership of 90 with van der Bijl before fast- medium Reg Perks trapped him leg before. The South African bowlers performed well to restrict England to 316 and give themselves a substantial lead. This was reinforced with another strong opening partnership, 191 this time between Mitchell (89) and van der Bijl (97). Eric failed to score and then The South African team which played in the ‘Timeless Test’ at Durban in 1938/39. Back row: (l to r) T.A.Deavin (manager), E.A.B.Rowan, A.C.B.Langton, P.G.V.van der Bijl, E.S.Newson, R.E.Grieveson, N.Gordon. Front row: K.G.Viljoen, B Mitchell, A.Melville (captain), E.L.Dalton, A.D.Nourse. [Bassano Collection]