Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

60 Australian journalist Percy Beames, who was covering the tour, understood the South Africans’ position. In his view they were faced with either choosing the veterans in the hope of creating some competition or trying to find some new players for the future. By leaving out Mitchell and selecting Rowan and Nourse it seems they went for a bit each way. The First Test, at Ellis Park in Johannesburg began in sensational fashion when Morris and Moroney, the Australian openers, were both dismissed without scoring. It was the only joy for the South Africans as Hassett (112), Sam Loxton (101) and Johnson (66), along with contributions from the remainder of the batting, took the score to a healthy 413. It was far too healthy for the Springboks who found themselves dismissed for 137. Keith Miller showed how valuable his addition to the side was by taking five for 40. The only batsman to show any resistance was Eric. For 192 minutes he defied all that the best attack in the world could serve up in making 60. John Watkins, whose nerves had been steadied by Eric on the first morning, made 36, the only other substantial contribution. Eric was less than impressed with the efforts of the top order, believing they had allowed themselves to be overawed by their opponents’ reputations, rather than just playing each ball on its merits. Hassett enforced the follow-on and the Springboks were only marginally better the second time around, making 191. Eric made 32 in an opening partnership of 50 with Owen Wynne (33). Nourse (36) and Jack Cheetham (35) also made starts, but none was able to play a substantial innings. This time the destroyer was left-armer Bill Johnston, who took six for 44 to show he was well recovered from his car accident. Defeat by an innings and 85 runs was not the way the South Africans had hoped to start the series. With just a few days before the start of the Second Test at Newlands there was little time to correct the problems. Once again Hassett won the toss and once again the Australians dominated the bowling, scoring 526 for the loss of seven wickets before the declaration came. Neil Harvey began his love affair with South African bowlers with a masterful 178, but all the batsmen made runs. The Springboks again struggled, this time against the leg spin of Colin McCool (five for 41). Eric’s innings of 67 was made in the relatively short time of 101 minutes and contained nine fours. He seemed determined to show that the bowling could be handled, but only Nourse with 65 Australian Challenge