The CW Tragics XI

[fredfertang]

The CW Tragics XI

In his last attempt at picking a themed XI, for the time being at least, Martin looks at those who the grim reaper took from us in tragic circumstances.

 

[BoyBrumby]

A bit of a "hankies out" one, that.

Excellent work, as ever tho. I can absolutely see why one would not wish to include him, but were the claims of WJ Cronje ever considered?

 

[Days of Grace]

Excellent article, Fred.



Johnny Briggs and Billy Bates both say "Hi", btw.

 

[fredfertang]

Briggs, Bates and Cronje all good calls - Collie Smith also occurred to me once I'd finished the piece and, as was pointed out to me, George Lohmann is probably the most glaring omission

 

[salman85]

Great article.Though i'm wondering if this team was made up randomly,or is it a best ever team of players who died before 40?

If it's the latter,then Cronje definitley deserves to be here.Matchfixer or not,he was one of the finest modern day captains.

 

[GotSpin]

Although i presume he was aesthetically pleasing, i've always felt that archie jackson has become a little overrated when referred to as a cricketer that would have matched the feats of bradman

 

[fredfertang]

It's essentially a personal selection - Fred Grace and Maurice Turnbull certainly wouldn't qualify for a best ever Tragics XI, although I think the rest would all have a claim to be there, some stronger than others obviously

 

[Goughy]

It's essentially a personal selection - Fred Grace and Maurice Turnbull certainly wouldn't qualify for a best ever Tragics XI, although I think the rest would all have a claim to be there, some stronger than others obviously

Yeah, personal selections are personal selections. Hard to go against anyone in the XI. Admittedly I have had a few beers right now but I had to hold back a gasp and a choke when I read "It is a sobering thought that, had it not been for the road accident that cost Ben Hollioake his life in 2002 at the age of 24, it may have been him and not Andrew Strauss leading England to their historic victory in this winter's Ashes."

Absolute tragedy what happened to him but he was not a very good cricketer.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I would throw in a personal mention for Wilf Slack who died aged 34. He was a slightly above average County pro who was perhaps a tad fortunate to play for England, but a really likeable chap who died far too young.