Lives in Cricket No 5 - Rockley Wilson

overs, bothering Gregory, in particular, in his innings of 93 with his restricting accuracy and one wicket for 8 in six overs in the second innings. Fender had five wickets but was much less economical. In England’s two innings, Rockley totalled a modest 10 runs, but in the course of his first visit to the wicket he was subjected to much hostile barracking. This was not the first such incident on the tour and, as Rockley Wilson was a central figure in what became something of a cause célèbre , we need to say something here about it. The barracking controversy The first reported incident was in the third match of the tour against Victoria in Melbourne. England piled up 418 runs for three wickets declared in response to Victoria’s first innings total of 274 and they then dismissed the State side for 85 on a nasty, rain affected pitch, Rhodes taking six for 39 and Woolley four for 27. It Australia and After 81 England players, including Rockley Wilson with umbrella, visiting the Melbourne Cricket Ground, shortly before the Fourth Test in February, 1921.