Trivia & Quizzia 2013 (an occasional series, by whoever wishes)

I am surprised - nay, shocked - Wally has not snapped this one up.

If you work out what event in cricket history this is about (easy enough), there are two standard/outstanding books on the topic. The first by an Aussie, a later one by an Aussie/Pom. ...

So it's one of those.

So here's the answer.

Spoiler:

nice article in that link

Indeed.

Returning briefly to this one - with a bit of 'photographic evidence'!


My question (which contained the mistake) was about a record I thought held by Mohinder Amarnath. Wally answered:

WideWally wrote: ... I was originally wondering if three was the record for hit wicket dismissals but I see that the clumsy Mr. Compton managed it five times.

PeterCS wrote: Whoops! You're dead right. Scrap the question, with apologies.

M Amarnath was also given out in ODIs for handling the ball and obstructing the field - but in Tests, Compton with his five dismissals is clearly the biggest 'wicket-hitter'. Must be something about his energetic style of backfoot play.

Below are three photos. One and two almost look like the same shot from opposite angles, but I am not sure they are. Both v Australia, and a similar stroke, but hair looks more controlled in one, flappier in the other.

Anyway, the point is, it looks as if DC may have been very fond of aggressively forcing pull shots - in two cases (or one) throwing his weight almost back on to his stumps (see leg position), on the other, with a bit more of a sweep about it and striking further behind square, thrusting his back foot slightly out of control back towards his stumps.

Maybe you can be a bit TOO dashing on your feet for attacking shots to square leg and behind?

And perhaps this helps to explain the cavalier Denis's (unwanted) dismissal record mentioned by Wally above?

New one, anyone? ............


Two competing teams for the MCG (see below).

The questions:

1. Which (two) selectors chose these two teams?
2. On what occasion?
3. Since they might not be everyone's choice, can you explain why
a) Leyland and b) Bannerman were selected in these teams?

(((Bonus point:
4. What do five of the England side have in common?)))


Australia

Victor Trumper
Charles Bannerman
Don Bradman *
Bill Ponsford
Stan McCabe
Monty Noble
Keith Miller
Ray Lindwall
Don Tallon +
Clarrie Grimmett
Bill O'Reilly

England

Jack Hobbs
Herbert Sutcliffe
Morris Leyland
Walter Hammond
Len Hutton *
Les Ames +
Frank Woolley
Wilfred Rhodes
George Hirst
Harold Larwood
SF Barnes

Let's try a different tack.

The batsman is (I hope) easy to spot. Characteristically striding at speed to the wicket.

But the questions are:
1. location?
2. year?
3. for students of the game and detectives only! - date?

PeterCS wrote:New one, anyone? ............


Two competing teams for the MCG (see below).

The questions:

1. Which (two) selectors chose these two teams?
2. On what occasion?
3. Since they might not be everyone's choice, can you explain why
a) Leyland and b) Bannerman were selected in these teams?

(((Bonus point:
4. What do five of the England side have in common?)))


Australia

Victor Trumper
Charles Bannerman
Don Bradman *
Bill Ponsford
Stan McCabe
Monty Noble
Keith Miller
Ray Lindwall
Don Tallon +
Clarrie Grimmett
Bill O'Reilly

England

Jack Hobbs
Herbert Sutcliffe
Morris Leyland
Walter Hammond
Len Hutton *
Les Ames +
Frank Woolley
Wilfred Rhodes
George Hirst
Harold Larwood
SF Barnes

You have me confused with your Morris Leyland. Maurice, surely?

I did once drive a Morris.

And the question is too hard for me! So I'll guess. Guessing at selectors: Bradman & Hutton? Maybe 1948 resumption of cricket after the war, as some sort of publicity, or upon Don's retirement? Yorkshire?

I'm struggling with the logic behind the two teams ( the best I can come up with is best sides for each country pre-1950 - but, as you say, why Bannerman?), but as for the second question, the photo shows 'me' striding in to bat at Trent Bridge in the First Test, in June 1930.

Usually came to be known as Maurice, but born and birthcerted as Morris, it seems (implausible though it sounds(!

Selectrors: Hutton yes, but surprisingly not The Don

Selections made much later than 1948 (clearly they are not possible actual teams - Bannerman, Trumper and Noble to Ames, Lindwall & Miller is a bit of a stretch).

Yorkshire - indeed! Five Tykes - trust a Yorks selector! (No Boycott or Trueman though.)

Very good on the Hammond, Hammond!

13 June 1930 is the precise date (1st day of the 1st Test, as it happens. As I am away from home, I can't check who the black armbands were worn for, but that is the clue to the exact date.)

As regards the two teams. ...

There is a clue in the first line of the quiz question (after the italics).

Quoting ,,,, is the only way I can correct typos and phrases lacking clarity, thanks to the entirely daft time-out system here. The showing-up of EDIT with the post should be sign enough that it's been subsequently changed, methinks ....

PeterCS wrote:He usually came to be known as Maurice, but was born and birthcertified as Morris, it seems (implausible though that sounds!)

Selectors: Hutton yes, - but surprisingly not The Don

The selections were made much later than 1948 (clearly they are not possible actual teams btw - from Bannerman, Trumper & Noble to Ames, Lindwall & Miller is a bit of a stretch in years).

Yorkshire - indeed! Five Tykes - trust a Yorks selector! (No Boycott or Trueman though.)

As regards the two teams. ...

There is a clue in the first line of the quiz question (after the italics).

Fred Trueman and Sir Geoffrey (and also the first half of the careers of Randall, the two Chappells, Lillee and Thomson, to name a few others) would have been available by the time of the event at which these two "AT" selections were made - neither of the two selectors (both oldtimers) availed of those current or recent candidates, though.

Something to do with the Centenary Test?

Yes, that's it.

Journalist Ian Peebles asked two veterans to select their AT Ashes Xis ......

Hutton and .....?

Bradman?

No, not Bradman.

Someone else in the team who explained to Peebles (surprisingly perhaps, in view of the history between them) that he was happy to cede the captaincy of this All-Time Team to The Don, in the interests of beating the Poms.

Bill O'Reilly?

Otto Nothling?

No, not Tiger. But he is in the selected team, unlike 'Dr Zero'!

I remember Nothling was involved in organising or at least facilitating that 1977 game ... short on ideas otherwise.

Fingleton?

No.... an all-rounder who had his jousts with TOriginalGM

Miller, then.

That's the man. His comments make interesting reading. Unfortunately I don't have them to hand at the mo.

So why do you think he chose Bannerman? (And why did Hutton select Leyland?) (Both gave reasons.)

For neatness sake, on the Hammond pic:

Black armbands - TB 13 Jun 1930 - worn by the England players in honour of Sir Frederick Toone

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/46575011

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/298168.html

[wiki:] The following Definition of Cricket was written by Sir Frederick Toone:

It is a science, the study of a lifetime, in which you may exhaust yourself but never your subject. It is a contest, a duel or melee, calling for courage, skill, strategy and self-control.

It is a contest of temper, a trial of honour, a revealer of character. It affords a chance to play the man and act the gentleman.

It means going into God's out-of-doors, getting close to nature, fresh air, exercise, a sweeping away of mental cobwebs, genuine recreation of the tired tissues.

It is a cure for care, an antidote to worry. It includes companionship with friends, social intercourse, opportunities for courtesy, kindliness, and generosity to an opponent. It promotes not only physical health, but mental force.