Lives in Cricket No 4 - Ernie Jones

Australian conditions, was a virtual bystander with just twelve wicketless overs in the second innings. Although it was hardly fair to use this game to write Jones off, Arthur Jones (whose innings of 0 and 6 gave him plenty of time for observation) appeared to do so: There is a big change in Jones’ bowling. He has not his old pace and he takes a much shorter run than when in England. His delivery is somewhat laboured, and when on the good wicket on Friday he appeared to hesitate a little. Fast bowlers never do last long, but even if Jones does not get another wicket he should be satisfied with his past performances. At his best, Jones was one of the best fast bowlers alive, and undoubtedly was a tower of strength to any side. The Australian selectors obviously thought likewise and, after an innings loss against New South Wales in which Jones took 1 for 130, he was made twelfth man in Australia’s team for the next Test on his home ground, Adelaide Oval. In some respects this was not a surprise, except that his replacement by the modestly-performed all-rounder McLeod was unexpected. Many good judges felt that the inclusion of the South Australian slow left-armer Joe Travers would have been preferable. An important point which should be made is that when Noble, Trumble and Hill made their selection they notified that they ‘reserved to themselves the right to substitute any other man than Jones in the event of any chosen member of the eleven being unable to play’. The wording is significant, any other man than Jones indicating that he had been well and truly excluded from the eleven. Perhaps they were taking advantage of Jones’ brilliance as a fielder which had not dimmed. The upshot was that Jones had no more opportunities at first-class level to win back his position before the series ended. After losing the First Test, Australia won the next four although Barnes’ breakdown with a twisted knee after seven overs in the third destroyed the balance between the sides and might well have swung the series Australia’s way. Looking over the series there was little doubt that Australia was able to raise a superior team to the combination of men England were left with. In the event Australia’s slowmen Monty Noble and Hugh Trumble picked up 31 and 27 wickets in the final four games to outpoint the combined talents of Barnes, Blythe, Braund and Gunn. Jones finished well down the national averages with 18 wickets at 41.16 each. His Test days must have seemed behind him when the A Slow Dimming: 1900-1903 59