Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

57 Chapter Seven Australian Challenge For the second season in a row the Currie Cup was shelved due to the presence of a touring team. This time it was to be the Australians, playing their first series since the retirement of Don Bradman. Lindsay Hassett had taken over the captaincy and he brought with him a powerful combination. The nucleus of the Invincible 1948 team was present, apart from batsman Sid Barnes who had decided he could not afford to make the trip on the money being offered, and all-rounder Keith Miller, who was surprisingly not selected. But Miller did indeed join the side when he was called up after left-arm bowler Bill Johnston was injured in a car accident early in the tour. Miller’s presence made the side infinitely stronger and Johnston recovered to play his part in the series. It seems that the initiative for Miller’s invitation came from the South African Cricket Association who were keen to have the charismatic all-rounder involved in the series. For the South Africans this summer would be a major challenge against the best in the world. With their dependence on their older batsmen against England there was a need to find some younger players capable of sharing the load. Although the Currie Cup would not be on offer there would be four first-class games in order to give the locals some chance to find form. After a career extending over twenty years Eric was finally appointed Transvaal captain for the 1949/50 season. Although he had turned 40 the previous July he prided himself on his physical fitness and felt that he was capable of maintaining his place in the Test side. His initial appointment was for two pre-season friendly games against Orange Free State and Border and when they went well his position for the season was confirmed. It was mentioned in the press at the time that Eric’s banter and backchat led many to believe him to be the naughty boy of South African cricket, but beneath the mischief lurked a cricket brain equal to any in the country. It was felt that he was the one person capable of crossing swords with Lindsay Hassett. It was the first, but by no means the last time that he would be spoken of as a potential Springbok captain.