Lives in Cricket No 32 - Eric Rowan

86 Consequences might have been prudent for him to do so.’ Eric’s capacity to polarize opinion meant that he was strongly supported by some and just as strongly condemned by others. Perhaps the most balanced comment came from Brian Bassano who said that considering the strain Eric was under at the time of the Manchester incident he should have been given some allowances and that a lack of understanding led to the outcome of the whole sorry business. While Eric might play on at first-class level, the team would tour Australia without him. Following the 1951 tour fast bowler Cuan McCarthy was also told, like Eric, that he would no longer be selected for South African teams for reasons other than cricketing ability. [Bassano Collection]