Lives in Cricket No 4 - Ernie Jones

Umpire (and former fast bowler) Jack Scott (as Larwood) overcame his early embarrassment to tread the boards with the sang froid of an old hand. The smiting of autographed tennis balls into the audience by Bradman in one of the cricket scenes and the selling at auction of an autographed cricket bat were other highlights of the play, which the gathering entered into wholeheartedly. Overall, Jones received more than £1,000 from all sources, a striking example of cricket looking after its own during the depths of the Depression. After shrewd investments were made on Jones’ behalf, he was paid an additional £7 per month for the rest of his life. That life ended in 1943 when, after eight months in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Ernest Jones died on 23 November, survived only by his wife Eliza (until 1951) and his eldest child Mary Lillian. At the time of his death he was recognised as the fastest bowler Australia had produced. Jones, who lived his final years in Carrington Street in the city, was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery in a ceremony attended by 200 of South Australia’s leading cricket and sporting dignitaries. Life and Work: 1912-1943 80