Doug Freeman – Schoolboy Test Cricketer
Archie Mac |Published: 2023
Pages: 64
Author: Cardwell, Ronald
Publisher: The Cricket Publishing Company
Rating: 4 stars
Author Ronald Cardwell suggests Doug Freeman’s story is Boy’s Own Annual material and he’s not far off. Until Daniel Vettori took the title Freeman was the youngest player to represent New Zealand in Test cricket. What makes Freeman’s story unique is he was still at school when called up to the national team, after playing just one first class match.
Freeman had impressed the selectors after he claimed 3/71 for Wellington against MCC, including a caught and bowled against the second best batsmen in the world, Wally Hammond.
For Freeman to fully achieve a Boy’s Own Annual scenario he would need to have taken critical wickets and scored the winning runs on his Test debut. The reality was his two Tests were against the powerful English Bodyline combination, and Freeman’s hope of again claiming Hammond for a reasonable score were dashed when he struggled with his length. Unfortunately, against one of the greatest ever players of spin, Freeman was put to the sword. He wasn’t alone as a red hot Hammond (227 & DNB – 336* & DNB) dominated all the New Zealand bowlers he faced in the two Test series.
That was it; after five first class matches the schoolboy’s career was over. In interviews with the author Freeman suggested he was not afforded enough future opportunities by the selectors. The press suggested his confidence may have been impacted by being rushed into the Test arena before he was ready. Whatever the reasons Freeman’s form dropped away and he was lost to New Zealand cricket permanently after he took a job with the CSR (Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd) in Fiji.
Freeman was heavily involved in Fijian cricket including managing a team back to New Zealand in the 1950s. Eventually he moved to CSR head office in Sydney where he became an avid golfer with the Manly club. He never lost his love for cricket and we learn he regaled his grandchildren with his stories of how as a schoolboy he caught and bowled the great Wally Hammond.
I always enjoy it when Ronald Cardwell provides some insight into how he comes to write a book. Doug Freeman – Schoolboy Test Cricketer for example began in 1977 when he first interviewed Freeman and his wife. He doesn’t quite explain why he took almost 50 years to pen the Freeman biography, but it probably doesn’t matter – the main thing is in the end he produces such a quality read. You really think you know Freeman by the end of the book; a highly principled shy man who believed in respect, punctuality and proper manners. Still, it’s hard not to imagine what could have been if Freeman had been born at the same time as Daniel Vettori and was provided the training and professional opportunities of the modern cricketer. Two Tests may have been 50+.
This is a lovingly told story that is a superbly researched and written. It is only the briefness of the publication that stops it receiving a superior rating. Still, it is highly recommended. I can’t see that it is currently available on the website https://cricketpublish.com/ – however Ronald Cardwell may be able to assist in finding a copy.
One thing that is unique about this book is the way the front and back covers foldout to provide panoramic views of matches from Freeman’s first class games and Test matches. I am surprised other cricket books have not utilised this technique.
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