Lives in Cricet No 33 - Jack Robertson and Syd Brown

84 Although Syd was less prolific and consistent than his opening partner, he did play some valuable and skilful innings, none more so than against Glamorgan next to the dominating presence of the famous Cardiff Arms Park rugby ground. After winning their first four matches Middlesex’s fortunes had waned, and by the end of June they languished ninth in the table whilst Glamorgan were twenty points clear at the top. If Middlesex were to have any chance of retaining their title, victory was essential. However, after conceding a first-innings lead of 138 and being set 275, the highest score of the match, to win, their chances did not look good, particularly as Compton and Edrich were away. That they did win was almost entirely due to Syd’s masterly 150 not out, made in just over five hours. When the eighth wicket fell at 231 the home side looked set to win, but he found an unlikely ally in Young (13 not out) who reached double figures for just the fourth time in the season and stayed with him until victory was achieved. The second-highest score by any Middlesex batsman in the match was 28. Syd no doubt took some satisfaction in resisting the pace of Norman Hever and the spin of Len Muncer, ex-Middlesex colleagues who, their opportunities limited at Lord’s, had moved to Glamorgan to become the two most successful bowlers in their championship season. A month earlier he had carried his bat for 96 against Cambridge University in a Middlesex first innings of only 153. 113 To be fair, it wasn’t a very strong University attack, but it wasn’t a very strong Middlesex side either − it included Ian Peebles making his last appearance for the county − and without Syd’s effort they would have been very embarrassed. Although he didn’t get the nod from the MCC selectors, 114 Jack did go to South Africa that winter, to undertake a coaching appointment at the famous Wanderers Club in Johannesburg. He would also return the following year, when Joyce and Ian accompanied him, leaving Southampton for Cape Town on the M.V.Athlone Castle on 1 September . Writing later in his benefit brochure, he recalled the host of new friends made, and new experiences gained, as he saw some of the vast continent. Some of these ‘experiences’ involved some very un-British weather. In November 1948 a major tornado struck Roodepoort, west of the city centre, wrecking homes and killing four, while a year later to the north hailstones 7cm in diameter devastated Pretoria. Despite this, South Africa was a popular winter destination for county professionals. They were much in demand as coaches at clubs and schools: the same page of the passenger list showing Jack’s return to Southampton in April 1949 on the M.V.Stirling Castle also records the return of Worcestershire’s Reg Perks, one of many county cricketers who had wintered south. And they did not lack for other cricketing company: having won the Test rubber by two matches to nil the MCC side were fellow travellers. After hosting first-class cricket for over half a century, including 22 Tests, as well as providing many other sporting facilities, the historic Old 113 He was the only batsman between J.W.Hearne in 1931 and John Dewes in 1955 to carry his bat for Middlesex. Perhaps surprisingly, it was a feat Jack never achieved. 114 He and Arthur Fagg were reserves. Aussie Summer