THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH."
FRIDAY, AUGUST
31, 1934.
A
WORD OR TWO ABOUT THIS BODYLINE QUESTION
IT NEEDS CLEARING UP
SAYS R. ABBIT
DEFINITE STATEMENT BY THE M.C.C. IS NECESSARY
OBJECTORS AND DEFENDERS ARGUE ON DIFFERENT PREMISES
FUTURE TESTS THREATENED.
(By R Abbit).
Now that the tumult and shouting of the Test matches has died, the so-called Bodyline question can be regarded is somewhat truer perspective. Opinions regarding the legiti- macy of this type of bowling as practised by Larwood and Voce, as well as views on the attitude of the M.C.C., to the controversy. are wide and varied. In the accompanying 'article, our cricket correspondent, R. Abbit, sets out his impressions of the dispute, while in an adjoining column, "Veritas" describes his conversations with a prominent London journalist, who has been an eye-witness of bodyline bowling in Australia.
Você used to bowl it or outside thei leg stump with a packed field on the leg side and only three or sometimes two fielders on the off side of the wie-
It is midnight in the Pavilion at Larden in this prosent month and year of grace, lut the long room looks a if it was being used for a Committee mavating. It is difficult to identify most let. The Australians, regarded tha of those presunt, though some com tons dellhornte intimidation of the bath recall famous pictures to one's miniman and objected in no measured ahun-tones, The garb is that of well ove
The Larwood side was that it was nothing of the sort, but merely an at- tack on the leg stump or an attempt: to get the batsman caught in putting the ball to leg. Both Oldfield and Woodfull received nasty blows.
The
red years ago. The earlier men,bers of the Marylebone Club have met to consider the dreadful thing that has come about. On the main point there in but little divergence of opinion, Itard knocks were parts of the game in their day. Over there in the corner, fact however that both were hit when E. II. Budd in reminding Squire in front of their wickets by straight Osbaldestone who had resigned fromį hulls has most conveniently been for- the Club two years beforoof that gotten. single wicket match he played in 1820 against Brand, the Sussex fast bow- ler, when; after making seventy, he was afraid that his injuries would stiffen and so prevent film playing the next day. You can hear him chuckle UA describes how he knocked down his own wicket and then bowled Brand for a duck, made thirty more notches, and once more put Brand out for no runs. Willam Wärd however is not no impressed. Eight years after that inatch he had subscribed to the views
At home, the matter speedily was of Mr. Denison over the now bowling, which included the dictum that it if not forgotten, at least put aside. inust leal to a dangerous. pace, anch Larwood had developed a fost injury as cannot be faced on hard grounds and most of the erlekoting world was save at the most imminent perito auxious to know if he would ever
DOYENS OF THE GAME.
i
Anyway, the Australians, and Wood. full personally, definitely accused the English eleven of playing unsporting cricket. The M. C. C. refused to accept this and suggested dropping the rest of the tour if the Australian Board of Control persiated in their Allegation. It was withdrawn, tho' Woodfull has neither withdrawn nor apologized.
Matter' put aside.
J. P. Metcalfe of Australia; winning the Hop, Step and Jump event at the British Empire Games last month. He created a new British record.
RACING
NOTES
THE NEW AUSTRALIAN
GRIFFINS
LATEST CONTINGENT PROMISE BETTER THINGS TO COME
INTERESTING BREEDING POINTERS
(By "Captain Foster')
The new batch of 42 Australians have been drawn for, with the exception of four, which were rejected, and these four werd sold by Public Auction last Monday week. They were literally given away, as the entire lot fetched about $75, sbewing a very
A LONDON JOURNALIST TELLS "VERITAS”
WHAT BODYLING BOWLING REALLY IS
OW FALSE
BATSMEN FORCED TO MAKE FALSE STROKES IN SELF-DEFENCE
DELIVERIES ARE PERNICIOUS
(By "Veritas").
The question "What is bodyline bowling?" continues to at- tract attention in Hongkong because, so far as I know there is nobody in the Colony possessing first hand knowledge of the Larwood-Voce method of bowling.
doubly
PERRY TO START DEFENDING
AMERICAN TITLE TO-MORROW
FACES TERRIFIC OPPOSITION
.U.S. YOUNGSTERS
(By "Veritas").
To-morrow at Forest Hills, Fred
Perry starto twelve months of defending national tennis titles. During the last year the Englishman has won three of the four most import- ant national championships, the only honour to elude him being the French title.
He has gone from strength to
enormous taek
Unhappily I too cannot give an to make a definite stand on the eye-witnesa description of "body question of the danger or other- as practised by the two wise of bodyline bowling, chiefly line" Notis players, but recently I did because English wickets did not allow it to be half so effective as have the privelege of hearing very clear and reasoned explana- the Australian wickets. tion of the whole thing from a There is little doubt, he said,
Larwood 18 prominent London journalist, and that hossibly his words may prove of dangerous with bodyline on Aus- strength during that period and assistance to those who are in two tralian wickets as he is on the has now to consolidate. minds about the theory, practice English pitches, and it would be
Perry has an' and effect of so-called "bodyline difficult for the M.C.C., to condone bowling" (not to mention my the practice on the one and con- confronting him at Forest Hills colleague R. Abbit!).
demn it on the other, The M.C.C. in defence of the United States Mr. J. Hughes, with whom had given their verdict in so far national singles crown. Not only spont the botter part of two days s Buch bowling affected the will be arrayed against him discussing this vexed problem, la spirit of the game, and that was American Davis Cup players both one of London's best known sports tentamount to denying the fair past and present, but a new school writer. having contributed au-ness of bodyline bowling. of youngsters, whose exploits on the that courts in States, Inter-Stato, Inter- thoritative reports and articles to Mr. Hughes maintaine the Evening Standard and Sunday Larwood is bowling a ball quite Collegiate and Invitation touran- Chronicle for the past 15 years.distinct from anything seen in ments during recent months have He has specially described three cricket before. He compares the fully demonstrated that America sories of Test matches in England bowling of Gregory and Mac-is aboundng in talent, waiting the and In 1932 saw Larwood adopt his donald, who adopted a fast leg opportunity to express itself.
of leg bowling in theory in 1921 and of Root, whose og trap in 1920 upset the Austra lans, and says that they have practically nothing In common with Larwood's deliveries.
new type Australia.
He enjoys the friendship of all the leading English and Austra Han cricketers and knows well their characteristics. He has been in close touch with officials of tho M.C.C., and the Australian Board of Control and is therefore fairly well qualified to speak on Inter- subjects pertaining to national and firat class cricket.
"BODYLINE". DEFINED. Furthermore Mr. Hughes weighs his words very carefully on this subject, is in no way blassed, and in a approaches the subject
POTENTIAL CHAMPIONS.
Among these potential cham- plons are Bryan (Bitsy). Grant, Frank Parker, Gene Mako, Donald Budge and John Tidball. Any of INDUCED FALSE STROKE.
them are capable of upsetting the Larwood, at least, in Aus-world's best players. In addition tralia, definitely followed the Parry has to face Frank Shields batsman across the wicket. The and Sydney Wood, both thirsting primary object was to force for Davis Cup and Wimbledon the batsman to give a catch revenge, and both enjoying the ad-- through a defensive stroke, vantage, as did Perry at Wimble- The way to induce that particu-don, of playing before their own lar stroke was to send down supporters and on their own well ball, which demanded the bats known courts.
The American challengers alsó- man to defend his body,
include Leater Stoefen, Wilmer These observations, of course,
body Allison, George Lott and Berkeley are not the last word on
Wimbledon be Bell, the latter very smart loss to the suppliers. The Auctioneers must also be strictly objective tention that line bowling, but they can
His first definite, out of pocket as the commission earned would hardly cover their "bodyline" is a dangerous form of regarded as impressions of some homines two years ago, who has bowling, naturally drew a demand body who has an extensive knew- enjoyed, several outstanding, auc for more details in support of ledge of the game, and whose fob cesses in United States tourn No. 13, Chestnut mare drawn by
the past two such u. general statement.
it is to regard cricket from the uments during Messts, Ll Shiu Pang and Edgar.
"What is bodyline?," "How is analytical viewpoint without the months. No. 37, Chestnut mare drawn
of partisanship the ball delivered?", "In what influence
Neither can one ignore the pre- by Mr. S. W. Tang.
Bence of Menzel, the Czc- No. 39, Brown gelding drawn byway is such bowling intimida national bias.
choslovakian--who give
Perry Mr. EL. Hosle.
tory?" These were the questions
such a fright and fight. In the
third round ut Wimble- tlon. He has made himself one of the. dominating figures on the in- ternational tennis court to-day. and an opponent not to be regard- ed lightly.
expenses!
On the whole I would say that these animals were landed in od condi tion, considering the length of the voyage, and doubtless in a couple of very. bowl fast again that they rather let month's time we shall see n the other question slip. It was de marked improvement in their appear. cided that bowing, deliberately disence, From, a roving inspection I like rected at the batsman, was not in the following:- accordance with the spirit of the game.
One meniher in clorical garb is pucing the floor in much perturbatlan. Lord Frederick Beauclerk wool bent the other side by all means, and yet, question the pronouncments of his M. C. C. in the sin beyond forgiveness, Hle scams to get some comfort from Sir Horntia Mann who tells him what he would have done to his bailiff Aylward had he outed the Club as Sir Julien's agent has.
Somewhat apart, three doulers of the Club, the Eight Earl of Winchelne, Leg Theory, and John Sackville the Third Duke of Now the trouble is that the adher Deract, (who both looked a little hart Pents of each aldo argue cheerfully on
The present controversy is that one side says that Larwood's and Voce's Fowling deinitely comes into this category, and call it Body Line, which if their premises are correct, is fair enough; while the other say that it is nothing of the kind and that there is no attempt or intention to hit or intimidate the batsman, and call it
No. 10 Buy Gelding Sire: Orewar, drawn by Messrs. Hall and Shenton.
Ne, 15 Bay Mare Sire: Amanus drawn by Messrs. Early Birds.
No. 22 Brown Mare Sire: Double Court drown by Mr. D. J. Lowls.
N. 19 Chestnut Gelding She: Jack March drawn by Mr. H. A. Seth.
No. 39
Brown Gelding Sire: Narraquone drawn by Mr. E. L.
I can say very little relative to the
at being omitted from the 1834 their own premises. But when two edition of Wisden after ninety eight conclusions are put forward each breeding of these new Australians but
manner.
TENNIS LEAGUE
H.K.C.C. LOSE TO RECREIO
or
Sire: Double Court has two repre-hurled at Mr. Hughes' head, and, the following sentatives; No. 1, a bay more drawn brought forth by Dr. S. N. Chau and No. 22, brown answers:- nare drawn by Mr. D. J. Lewis, while Bodyline, bowling, is hurling a Sire: Mazarin will have No. 24, a ball down the pitch at lightning to a batsman chestnut mare, drawn by Mr. Dunbar, speed to induce and No. 35, a bay mare, drawn by make a defensive stroke, not so: Mr. Li The Fong.
much of his wicket, as of his body. The majority of, these new Aus. One of the Australian cricketers tralians are doing light work at the in. 1932 definitely complained of course. They seem well behaved and opening his innings against In No. 22 impresses me very much in wood with a two-leg guard, and, detd. No. 10 also shows good action finding the English bowler airing and should prove a gallopór,
for his body, moved his guard to middle stump; Larwood followed Recreio in a first division lawn on the top of the world, and a him; he went further across to tennis league match on Wednes-player who enjoys a sligh: moral a middle and off guard and Lar day, the Hongkong Cricket Club ascendancy ser most of the lend- wood till bowled directly at his were beaten by six sets to three. ing Aniorican exponcats.
and a hundred and thirty four years based on an entirely different set of I am told that the majority of them PERRY UNPAID
respectively) with Charles Lentux, premises, it is impossible to compare are well bred.
ponent.
them or to decide between them.
CHASING OWN TAILS,
troversy.
this
FILM STAR? ·
Ready To Act If.L.T.A. Approves
body.
IN "A" DIVISION
Entertaining the Club de
UNBOUNDED CONFIDENCE. Quite apart from his slightly superior all-round game, which is
generally
ucknowledged, Perry's chief asset at the moment is unbounded confidence. He is
now
Perry is bound to have some
no
F. J. Remedios and H. A. Barros winning all three sets for the uncomfortable moments during
the next week, but there is visitors,
Scores:--
reason to feel that he will not G. W. Sewell und A. L. Sullivan come through with flying colours II.K.C.C.) beat A. V. Remedios and retain the crown which he and J. Gonsalves 6-1; lost to F. J. so deservedly won from Jack Craw Remedios and II. A. Barres 4-6 ford last year. bent C.. A. Barretto and J. J. Remedios 6-3,
Yesterday's
WILDE'S CHANCE.
Fourth Duko of Richmond, were talk
Bradman and McCabe both ing to a cricketor whose day had been
ANOTHER KONG "FIND"↑
experienced this and found that after their deaths. Alfred Mynn was
The loading Slee, so far as telling them of the great North and
the only way to counter it was South game in 1830 at Leicester, Every one la the controversy is course is concerned, is King's Tren-
to take a guard outside of the: where so injured in preliminary prac simply chaning his own tail. What sure, through the performances of his
leg slump, thus leaving their tice that he could not hawl, he went obviously needs to be done is to get the daughter, Able Amazon, in the Kong
whole wicket exposed and trying in to bat, and though heavily punished question settled "Which set of pre- Stable. He will again be represented
to cut Larwood off the leg and by Redgate's fast bowling made 140 miece is right! That is, is the cor- next year by his son No. 41, a black
F. J. Perry. the Wimbledon
middle and leg stumps, not out and won the mulch, only rect term for the bowling "body line" gelding, and this animal, strangely! retiring after showing his leg to hisor "leg theory". Or in other words, enough, has gone to the Kong Stable, and Davis Cup champion, may ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR.
P. I. Scoones and R. II. Wild! The championship this your Captain, Lord Frederick, who at once is this type of bowling intended to being drawn by Mr. E. 8. Kong. The achieve fame as the first unpaid cause personal danger, and so to so a Stable has yearly drawn an outstand-
That is the chief reason, sald (H.K.C.C.) lost to Remedios and rather lacks the international sunt him from the ground. They despaired of anving his leg, but after force operating against the batsman, ing Sub, and I wonder whether it har film star if the Lawn Tennis Mr. Hughes,, why Larwood took Gonsalves 0-6; lost to Remedios flavour which has hitherto been being laid aside until 1838 he returned or is it not? In the former case the again drawn another "fliyor.".. Association approves of the con- so many wickets clean bowled, and Barros 2-6 lost to Barretto a feature. The Australians have
"anti-Larwoods" are right. In the
decided to not compete ant the to the game to become It's finest ex-atter, the pro-Larwoods What has by Nell Gwyn, Bobniak star and has offered him.
Sire Bobaiak, this year represented tract a Hollywood film company He gradually forced the batamon and Remedios 3-0.
outside of the wicket and then let T. A. Pearce and J. Bathurst Japanese. Davis Cup team are Other figures were there. The upset things most in this inch of clear Vriday, will only have two representa-
drive with
a fast and straight.one (31.K.C.C.) lost to. Remedios, and other absentees. In fact Porry pornas rain, Bonted by a table with thinking, and many people think that tives next year, namely:-No. 3, Before leaving Southampton in on the middle or off stumps. Gonsalves 4-6; lost do, Remedies | and Menzel are the only important. tho Club anti-box in his hand can be where the M.C.C. have gone wrong cream mare drawn by Messrs. Mackie
But the danger of Larwood's and Barros 3-0; beat Barretto and oversons competitors, none other than old Ben Alslabie, is in failing to give a decision as toand Grayburn, and No. 8, a bay gold- the liner Majestic for the United
States, where he is to defend his title deliveries on the leg aide were not Remedios G-1.
will turn expectant eyes on youth- Secretary from 1822 to 1842 retiring what they really think of this bowling ing drawn by Mrs. Dunbar,
ful F.H.D. Wilde, who is obvious- Australia. They took a Siru: Carwelkin of The Goose and of American Open Amateur Cham- only that they were directed to only when Death claimed his wicket. we used
ly being given his big chance." He was President too in 1823, and he strong ling at first but sinco have Sunny Chance, will have No. 20, apion, he told newspapermen that the bataman, but that he bowled Is torn both ways. He believes in hedged, and hence the spate of con bay mare drawn by Mr. Fatshan and the Hollywood offer made by
If he nequits himself well, Eng- length, just short of a pure
land will feel that another first manly cricket, but the . C. C. must
No. 36, alto a bay mare drawn by Universal Studios to appear in a length, with the result that if the The first shadows of more trouble Mr. Reidy to represent him.
class Davis Cup playar is in the be the supreme arbiter, and to out
Alm entled "At Your Service" deliveries were not played at they
making. It is an unforgivable sin.
showed when negotiations about the Australina visit in 1934 began. Tho NARRAQUONG BLOOD.
approval. M.C.C. were pretty firm outwardly, but
near the waist or up by the Racing Heart and High Finance, Teople began to wonder when, from
appear in the film and lose shoulder But it is pretty clear that if things India, Jardine launched the bombshell both by Finmark, will have a half my amatour status it will cost Mr. Hughes explained that cold had get to the present state of affairs, that not only the he not wish to be sister running next year, No. 7. Universal £100,000," Perry said words failed to demonstrate the Larwood would have had sortshrifi considered for the Captaincy, but also brown mars drawn by Mr. Chang with a laugh,
absolute viciousness of such from these old gentlemen. But it that he did not wish to play in thỏ | Wing Yung.
bowling, but that Larwood'a per- would never have como to it. They Tents. It is the Inevitable conclusion Biro: Jack Marsh of Empire Day, has
formances in Australla proved it would have taken action, and strong that something which has been kept a No. 19, a chestnut gelding drawn by nction too, carly in 1083, had they then profound secret, has happened. Mr. Young Wing Hong, to do duty "I will return to England anime and again. been the governing body. There were
amateur," ho oded firmly, "avall It was, he said, an interesting. A half sister, No. 14, a brown mare, able as an amateur for the Davis point that the only tinta Australian drawn by Mr. S. M. Kong, to Alacrity Cup and Wimbledon champion- batsmen were seriously injured Coventry accomplished a Anolisie scored a home victory against the bookmakers from Lord's pretty But after this, things qufstoned will uphold the reputation of Silver hipa nort your and the year after was when Larwood bowled off-
peaceful at the Busk.
that. The report that I am to theory. them William Lambert, the first man beginning of the Tour and it is stated Sires: Trusty Servant (Baucy Face)
in 1817 to make a contury in each in the "Cricketer of 14th July that Flouriste (Atlas) Best Vale (Mutiny appear in a Hollywood film with
Larwood had been invited to play in Bay) Bronzino (Bronza Era) Vallant | Milo, Innings at Lord's. facts after all this romancing, what is on the grounds that he was not fit all this Larwood business? I think He apparently stated them that he was we shall be better able to site things willing to play, If fit, in the Second vp If we go back to the beginning and Teat which began on June 22nd, very briefly recapitulate the facts.
SHORT SHRIFT FOR LARWOOD.
no half measures or ambiguous attor
nces in their day. They had shot out
THE JUNE WEEK MYSTERY.'
A
promptly in the twoatles and with down. All was
*
for him next year,
was definitely subject to L.T.A. would strike the batsman either Football
"If I
"TREMENDOUS JOKE",
Results
Sydney Wood, Frank Shields and moat George Left are the meri dangerous to Perry and Pla aspirations, although one cannot but have a sneaking regard for the chances of Frank Parker, who is a brillant tennis player on his. own courts.
SMART WIN BY COVENTRY
London, Aug. 30.
section of the third division, Car- piece of work to-day when they
The results as cabled by Reuter, "Yet it was purely by the visited Clapton Orient and defen Accrington, grace of God that nobody was ed the London team by the only wore: killed with his bodyline de- goal scored, thus claiming the Iveries" he added.
maximum points from two matches maintaining a clean record in
We shall, however, lave plenty of
IN DEFENCE OF THE MCC the "goals against" column. "I should enjoy appearing in a
The London "Dorby" : Queen's Narraquong blood, as four of his off film, even without a salary, It In defence of the MC.C., Mr. Park v Crystal Palace ended in springs will be racing: ma***
No. 12 Chestnut Mare drawn by
would be a tremendous joke and a Hughes contended that they had division of spolls, both teams. new thrill
not really boon given a fair chance scoring thrice, and in the northern Mr. Tinson,
1.But now, to come down to practical the first Test match. But had refused Princias Angolino and Just That) a prod
and Magpie (Dag Tor) will not be her I represented next year by now animals. status.
But somewhore between June Bih) The controversy started in Australia and June 17th, when the Sunday Din.]”.
(Continued on Page 9.1. In the 1032-1903. Lour. Larwood and
is absurd as she is
matour
and if I played with
lose my
enjoy
a
* THIRD DIVISION (SOUTH).
Clapton 0.0 Coventry Queen's PR. 3: CrystalP.
THIRD DIVISION (NORTH):
2 "Accrin
Carilale