Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

52 in the Second Test to be played at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. After Mann had won the toss Hutton (158) and Washbrook (195) produced an opening partnership of 359. When Hutton was finally caught behind off McCarthy late in the day all the fieldsmen could be seen lying on the ground. Athol Rowan said it was like ‘Bad Day at Black Rock’, referring to a popular film of the time. Compton also made a century and the innings finally closed at 608. Eric was soon on his way back to the pavilion, leg before to Bedser for eight, and only Mitchell (86) and keeper Billy Wade (85) were able to cope with the bowling as the South Africans succumbed for 315 and Mann enforced the follow on. With the Third Test starting immediately after with only a day between the two matches, the selectors were in the difficult position of having to name the side for that game before current one finished. Given that Eric had experienced three failures it was probably no surprise that he was left out of the team when it was announced at the end of the second day. So when Eric walked out late on the third day he was determined to prove them wrong. Bedser removed Owen Wynne cheaply, but Eric and Bruce Mitchell held out until stumps with South Africa 28 for one. The ‘V’ Sign Eric plays the ball to short leg during his innings of 156* in the Second Test at Cape Town. [Bassano Collection]