Lives in Cricket No 4 - Ernie Jones

October, 1901. In this instance it appears that the state was not willing to wear out its prime attacking bowler at the service of batsmen in the nets. In committee discussion, team captain Joe Darling stated that Jones was a malingerer at practice and that the state side ‘did not want a man who would bowl three or four overs and then lie down alongside and get someone else to bowl’. It was a rich comment coming from Darling who frequently bowled Jones into the ground. At thirty-two Jones, determined not to lose his vim, was training hard and keen on his prospects for the season. While Darling had been off the Australian first-class scene for nearly two years, Jones’ football, as well as cricket team-mate, Jack Reedman had taken over the South Australian captaincy. Great interest centred on the performance of Jones, who was believed to be in his best condition for twelve months, although his record of 1 for 61 in a club game for his new club, Port Adelaide, did not augur well. Not only South Australia but also Australia would be hoping he could still bowl with devilish speed. In the season’s opening match against Archie MacLaren’s touring side, however, he bowled just 14 overs as the evergreen Giffen turned in one of his many great performances to claim 13 wickets A Slow Dimming: 1900-1903 55 The South Australian side which beat A.C.MacLaren’s XI by 233 runs in November 1901. Back row (l to r): C.Hill, J.McKenzie (wk), E.Jones, F.T.Hack, G.Giffen, E.H.Leak, P.Argall (umpire). Front row: J.G.F.Matthews, J.P.F.Travers, J.C.Reedman (captain), Arthur Jarvis, B.T.Bailey.