Australia Test History

[archie mac]

You are at your best, Archie, when you are at your most laconic: that was as pithily amusive an offering as I have read here. The Melbourne Argus, however, took things rather more seriously: "Great as is Allan's value on the field, his capriciousness is still greater; and we trust that for the future he will studiously be left in that retirement which he professes to be so loath to leave."



He managed a number of lofty scores in matches which, when viewed in comparison to those which have been accorded first-class status, were done a grave injustice. Bannerman was comfortably easily the best in the colonies throughout his prime and is unfortunate not to be remembered for more than just this one match.

Yes I read somewhere (but can't find it ) that when Trumper was at his best, some old players said he was not a patch on CB

 

[neville cardus]

Yes I read somewhere (but can't find it ) that when Trumper was at his best, some old players said he was not a patch on CB

Incidentally, Bannerman was the only coach Trumper ever knew and probably the only man he ever vexed. "Leave it alone, Vic," adjured the old-timer. "That wasn't a ball to go at."

But, for all his larned counsel and cumulated wisdom, he went as heeded as the boy who cried wolf. At length, he threw in the towel and left his charge to his own devices. Good job, too, for Trumper would not have been Trumper had he been coached. Geniuses are above instruction.

 

[archie mac]

I wonder if the first Test maker fell on very hard times when an old man, the picture of him with the young Bradman, always seems to me that he has fallen on hard times

 

[neville cardus]

Your perceptivity is eldritch: "Just think of it!" exclaimed Banjo Patterson after seeing him, destitute and pathetic, at the racetrack at Randwick. "At one time the idol of thousands, making money for cricket but none for himself, and winding up holding a bag for a bookmaker." When he passed on, he left a wife in penury. Only the largesse of the New South Wales Cricket Association saved her.

 

[archie mac]

Your perceptivity is eldritch: "Just think of it!" exclaimed Banjo Patterson after seeing him, destitute and pathetic, at the racetrack at Randwick. "At one time the idol of thousands, making money for cricket but none for himself, and winding up holding a bag for a bookmaker." When he passed on, he left a wife in penury. Only the largesse of the New South Wales Cricket Association saved her.

I can not remember reading that before, always sad when great cricketers fall on hard times

 

[neville cardus]

I can not remember reading that before

Which only goes to show how much more attuned you are than me to the niceties of appearance. When first I laid eyes upon that photograph, aware as I was of Bannerman's ill luck, I could not help but think how sound he looked. In future, therefore, whenever I spot an elderly cricketer whom I want to dub a picture of good health, I'll be sure to run it by you first.

 

[aussie tragic]

1890’s

Giffen was easily the worlds leading allrounder during this decade with 775 runs @ 29.80 and 74 wkts @ 24.91 from 14 tests, however Monty Noble debuted in 1898 and in 9 tests he scored 473 runs @ 43.00 and 32 wkts @ 24.71.

Just needed to add that George Giffen had an Allrounders dream series in 1894-95. He scored 475 runs @ 52.78 and took 34 wkts @ 24.12. This remains the only time someone scored 450 runs and took 30 wkts in a series and only two others made more than 300 runs and took 30 wkts (Ian Botham 399 & 34 and Richie Benaud 329 & 30)

 

[archie mac]

Which only goes to show how much more attuned you are than me to the niceties of appearance. When first I laid eyes upon that photograph, aware as I was of Bannerman's ill luck, I could not help but think how sound he looked. In future, therefore, whenever I spot an elderly cricketer whom I want to dub a picture of good health, I'll be sure to run it by you first.

Not sure about that mate, "the last supper" had me until Brown explained it

 

[aussie tragic]

1910’s

World Cricket was only played for 5 years (1910-14) due to the Great War and Australia only played 16 tests between 1910-12, winning 7 and losing 6 (3 Draws)

There were two test captains:

Clem Hill (1910-12: 10T, W5, L5)
Syd Gregory (1912: 6T, W2, L1, D3)

Warren Bardsley was the Aussie leading run scorer with 1094 runs @ 47.56 (3 centuries) in 15 tests, while Victor Trumper was second with 930 runs @ 58.12 (3 centuries) in 10 tests.

Charles Kelleway (832 runs @ 39.61), Warwick Armstrong (734 runs @ 40.77), Clem Hill (699 runs @ 38.83) and Vernon Ransford (570 @ 33.52) were the other main batting stars.

Clem Hill became the first batsman to score 3000 runs (76 Inn) in Jan 1911 and he remained the leading run scorer in the world throughout this decade (3412 runs @ 39.22). Victor Trumper became the 2nd batsman to score 3000 runs in Dec 1911, taking 80 innings.

At Lords in 1912, Warren Bardsley (164) and Charles Kelleway (102) fell one run short of the then world record partnership of 243 runs

There were no stand-out Aussie allrounders, however some useful contributors were Warwick Armstrong (10T, 734 runs @ 40.77 and 20 wkts @ 42.05), Charles Kelleway (15T, 832 runs @ 39.61 and 23 wkts @ 38.17) and Ranji Hordern (7T, 254 runs @ 23.09 and 46 wkts @ 23.36).

Sammy Carter was wicketkeeper until he was left out of the 1912 tour as punishment for insisting on the right to pick his own manager. Carter took 17 dismissals (14c & 3st) in 10 tests, while William Carkeek took over as wicketkeeper for the 1912 tour, taking 6 dismissals (6c) in 6 tests.

Bill Whitty was the Aussie leading wicket taker with 65 wkts @ 20.18, BB 6-17 in 13 tests, while Ranji Hordern (46 wkts @ 23.36, 7 tests), Tibby Cotter (34 wkts @ 34.73, 9 tests) and Gerry Hazlett (23 wkts @ 22.82, 7 tests) were the next best.

Stars never to play again after the War intervened on their careers:

Victor Trumper (died 1915 aged 37), Clem Hill, Syd Gregory, Vernon Ransford, Tibby Cotter (KIA in 1917 aged 33), Ranji Hordern, Bill Whitty, Gerry Hazlett and William Carkeek

 

[wpdavid]

fwiw I'm pretty sure that Armstrong's first name was spelt 'Warwick'.

 

[aussie tragic]

fwiw I'm pretty sure that Armstrong's first name was spelt 'Warwick'.

Post corrected....at least it means someone's reading

 

[Richard]

fwiw I'm pretty sure that Armstrong's first name was spelt 'Warwick'.

Lost count of how long I thought it was "Warrick".

Still think it looks far better that way TBH.

 

[aussie tragic]

1920’s

So the first test after WW1 was against England at the SCG in Dec 1920, which Aussie won by a massive 377 runs. Only 4 players remained from pre-WW1, namely Charles Macartney, Warren Bardsley, Charles Kelleway and the new captain, Warwick Armstrong. There were some pretty handy debutants as well which included Herbie Collins, Jack Gregory, Jack Ryder, Bill Oldfield and Arthur Mailey.

Australia played 28 tests, winning 14 and losing 6 (8 Draws)

There were four test captains:

Warwick Armstrong (1920-21: 10T, W8, D2) – undefeated and 80% win ratio
Herbie Collins (1921-26: 11T, W5, L2, D4)
Warren Bardsley (1926: 2T, D2)
Jack Ryder (1928-29: 5T, W1, L4)

England batsmen dominated the World with Herb Sutcliffe (2960 runs @ 64.34), Jack Hobbs (2644 runs @ 61.48), Frank Woolley (2003 runs @ 42.61), Percy Hendren (1869 runs @ 42.47) and Wally Hammond (1689 runs @ 67.56). Clem Hills record for fastest to 3000 runs was also broke by Jack Hobbs (60 inn) and later by Herb Sutcliffe (52 inn).

Jack Ryder was the Aussie leading run scorer of the decade with 1394 runs @ 51.62 (3 centuries) in 20 tests, while Herbie Collins was second with 1352 runs @ 45.06 (4 centuries) in 19 tests.

Charles Macartney (1252 runs @ 69.55), Jack Gregory (1146 runs @ 36.96), Warren Bardsley (979 runs @ 34.96) and Bill Woodfull (797 runs @ 53.13) were the other main batting stars. While Bill Ponsford (518 runs @ 34.53) and Don Bradman (468 runs @ 66.85) showed some promise

Jack Gregory was the standout Aussie allrounder with 1146 runs @ 36.96 and 85 wkts @ 31.15 in 24 tests, while very useful contributors were Charles Kelleway (11 tests, 590 runs @ 34.70 and 29 wkts @ 27.75) and Warwick Armstrong (10T, 616 runs @ 56.00 and 17 wkts @ 24.47).

Bill Oldfield took over as wicketkeeper and was the world leader with 44 dismissals (26c & 18st) in 20 tests. He also had a decent WK batting record with 699 runs @ 27.96. Sammy Carter played a threatening back-up role with 27 dismissals (16c & 11st) in only 8 tests, which took his test career to 65 dismissals in 36 tests thus breaking Jack Blackham’s world record of 63 dismissals in 35 tests.

Arthur Mailey was 2nd in the World and Aussie leading wicket taker with 99 wkts @ 33.91, BB 9-121 in 21 tests, while Jack Gregory (85 wkts @ 31.15, 24 tests), Clarrie Grimmett (47 wkts @ 32.34, 9 tests) and Ted McDonald (43 wkts @ 33.27, 11 tests) were the next best.