by The Professor » Thu Jan 14, 2016 8:21 am
On this day in 1908 Australia went from having the partial edge to being so far over the edge that the edge is a small dot on their horizon thanks to the spectacular batting of Roger Hartigan and Clem Hill.
Noble and O'Connor were dispatched with relative ease by the England batsmen claiming only another 18 runs between them. The England team must have felt mightily confident; but then...
Hartigan, the 29 year old Queensland player, had only just come into the side and impressed on debut being the only example I've ever come across of someone whose scored their highest score on debut. It could have been all different, however, if, when on 32, Fielder had held on to a catch...but he didn't...and then moved on unopposed to 105*.
In contrast to Hartigan, Hill was a veteran of Australian cricket having made his debut in 1896 and took his time with the run scoring. Hill's 106* could have been allayed yet again by a catch that was dropped by the England's fielders. On 22, Hill was dropped from a far easier catch than Hartigan...but he didn't....and then Hill moved on unopposed to 106*
Gallingly if those catches had stuck England could have saved themselves 157, wrapped up the tail and have been batting...but they didn't.....they aren't....and Australia have a lead of 319.
Hindsight Watch.
The partnership between Hartigan and Hill is still the Australian record for an eighth wicket partnership.
"It has been said of the unseen army of the dead, on their everlasting march, that when they are passing a rural cricket ground the Englishman falls out of the ranks for a moment to look over the gate and smile."