A wartime cricket controversy that had local sports talking

Given the controversial Ashes dismissal of Jonny Barstow that’s been dominating the news and even had Prime Ministers giving their two cents, we were reminded of this little piece we’d stumbled up (just two weeks ago serendipitously) from the Orange Leader nearly 80 years ago. Then, as now, there had been another dismissal given in England that was well within the rules, but debate raged as to whether it was really “cricket.” The Leader’s cricket columnist “Silly Point” was, unwillingly it seems, forced to pen the following.

CURIOUS ORANGE CRICKETERS

Handled Ball—Out!

From the Orange Leader, Monday 23 July 1945, page 2

An Orange and district cricketer of mature years and much cricket experience, also possessing a more than a local reputation for consistently good all-round performances, disturbed me in my winter quarters (writes "Silly Point"). Looking really perplexed and generally perturbed where usually all is quite cool, calm and collected, he "bowled" viciously at me with: "What about this handling the ball and being given out for it? They all do it in Orange; have done so for years. Think it will come into vogue here next season ?" Due to this disturbing intrusion of my seasonal somnolence, I was not keen about things cricket, and suggested that the somewhat alarming alarmist should go, speedily, away and inter his head until the advent of cricket—and cricket weather. A cold, biting wind was operating at full Arctic blast when this semi-demented summer soul jumped in on me. Having become definitely, and especially physically, icy, I snapped: "Nothing wrong about that. It's in the rules. If you handle the ball, when in play, without permission from your opponents, you must be given out if they appeal for 'handling the ball.' Go away.

Shut the door on the way out." "Yes, but they often do this in Orange and district competition games— seems to be quite an accepted thing—and nothing is done about it. What I mean is, there have been no appeals on the frequent occasions when a batsman has picked up the pill and tossed it back to the bowler, Can't you say something?" "Yes, go a long way away." He went, very grudgingly, but his mumblings remained and annoyed me so much that I did a rush around. You all know the little "sensation" in a cricket encounter in England recently, when "Gubby" Allen (former English Test captain) was given out for handling the ball, whereas Roper, the Australian bowler, had really appealed for a decision regarding what he considered was a temporary dislodgement of a bail, which would have been equivalent to bowling Allen. The "ump” gave Allen, who had picked up the ball and shot it back to Roper, out for having thus handled the ball, obviously it was an unfortunate misunderstanding, but the fact that this most uncommon decision was given, and published really awakened cricketers before their time. Hence my upset, and these snap comments from a trio well known to all local cricketers.

GEO TICKNER: “Handling the ball in the way Allen apparently did is a frequent occurrence in Orange cricket, but I have never known an appeal, though it would be just as well for the young players to remember that they can be given out, on appeal, for doing this. I have, as you know, been playing cricket for more years than I am keen to look back upon, all over the West, but not once has an appeal been made when a batsman has come up the wicket slightly, picked the ball up and returned it to the chap who has been trying his hardest to get him out. Just an act of sporting courtesy. But, as I say, when doing this you are leaving yourself open to —well, what happened to Allen. That was, I think, a bit of a mistake, but if the umpire was of the opinion that the appeal was for handling the ball, which Allen obviously did, he had to abide by the rules and raise the finger. Much safer to pat the ball back with the bat—unless you ask permission of your "enemies" to toss it back by hand.”

"Big Bill" DEWHURST: Just the same as Geo. Tickner; these two old timers have played a lot of cricket together. Bill added: "More than 40 years of cricket, against all sorts and conditions, very good and some very indifferent, but cannot recall an appeal on the lines indicated in the Allen incident. I often pick the ball up and throw it back to the bowler. But you may have noticed that I always get the consent of the other chaps. Safest plan is to push the ball back along the wicket with the bat: don't leave yourself open to any 'happening' then. The rule governing the point gave the umpire no option when he considered the appeal by Roper was handling the ball. Perhaps, in future -and the point now having been raised and limelighted—It would be just as well for young Orange players who seem very prone to leave their crease and pick the ball up, to close down on this practice; unless they get permission. You never know it may put over in Orange next season now that the 'big chaps' have advertised the business. To appeal may be according to the rules laid down by headquarters, but—well I wouldn't ask an umpire to do it. Has an un-cricket flavour."

And "Big Bill" GAGIE: "Over 20 years of cricket, with a bit of Sydney first grade stuff; cannot remember an appeal for handling the ball a la Allen. No doubt about there being a misunderstanding —Roper would not have tried to get Gubby out for tossing the ball back to him— but the fact remains that the danger is lurking and can be used by an unscrupulous opponent out for 'blood' at all costs In Orange last season I saw many batsmen come along the wicket, pick up the pill and throw it back to the bowler, without seeking or asking permission. It was taken for granted that there was no danger of an appeal which, if made, must have been given against the batsman. Wouldn't be cricket, of course— definitely against a real cricketer's idea of sportsmanship—but you see what can happen. Personally, I always seek permission before doing the courtesy act. And I would perhaps be advisable for the experienced players to make this a rule in future. You never know, and nothing to lose by seeking acquiescence for your assistance to the fielding side - or using the bat instead of the hands. If you must carry on a recognised practice without penalty."

You all can absorb those opinions. Am returning to my warm corner in an old cricket pavilion for a few more weeks. Cricket talk this weather? Ugh!

*Sir George Oswald Browning "Gubby" Allen was a fast bowler in the infamous 1932-33 English touring team, in what is forever known as the “Bodyline Series.” However, Allen refused to use bodyline tactics, which won him the approval of Australian cricket fans.