The great Richie Benaud spoke about his memories of the hallowed cricket turf at a recent function at the SCG. Rodney Cavalier, the chairman of the SCG Trust, took notes of the memorable address.
‘Gentlemen, timing is one of the great things in life. I was playing in the centenary year, 1956-57, at St Kilda in the first tie in Shield history. My first memory of first class cricket was 1939-40, the last season before the War. On 13 January 1940 my father took me to the SCG to see NSW play South Australia. We came in by steam train and toast rack tram and sat at the back of the Sheridan with a bottle of Blue Bow and sandwiches. 30,400 were present. Dad wanted me to have a view of Grimmett, Ward, and O’Reilly. In that match the spinners took 34 wickets. Grimmett 6-118. At the end of the first day, which was all we were able to watch, NSW had made 270. South Australia was making its reply. Bradman was 24 not out. Wonderful.
Two weeks later I saw Hassett hit out but O’Reilly took eight wickets. After the War the selectors decided to go for youth. I was selected in a side that toured Dubbo and Wellington under the captaincy of Brian Dwyer. In 1946, the Australian Services side played a match here. Miller scored 105. The next time he scored 206 not out. So good was Miller that Ginny Lush sat him down over a beer and offered him a job on Sporting Life under the editorship of Don Whitington. It took Keith two minutes to make up his mind. The Services side included eight from NSW, including Stan Sismey, age 91.
The most poignant story I ever heard from Miller was about Lord’s in 1945 just after the War ended. Whitmonday. 30,000 were present to see serious cricket resume. R.G.Williams came out to bat. He had last played first class cricket in 1938 for South Australia, a broad shouldered paceman. A few weeks earlier he had been a POW, shot down over Libya. In the prison camp he had taught Braill. His story had appeared in the London papers the day before his appearance. The broad shoulders were gone. Williams was gaunt. Miller would never forget the moment when Williams came out to bat. The whole crowd stood and clapped him softly all the way to the centre. It was the most touching moment Miller ever witnessed, the noise was ‘almost orchestral’.
I made my first class debut on 31 December 1948. Heavy rain fell. Arthur Morris did not have to call on me to bowl. NSW needed 143 to win, Arthur made 108 not out. My next game was a second XI at the MCG. I came in as nightwatchman, took a big swing, got hit between eyes. Fractured skull! I did not play again that year.
I had three wonderful mentors — Arthur Morris, Keith Miller, and Ray Lindwall. I recall some great moments — first class debut at the SCG, Test debut at the SCG, final Test at the SCG. Who could ask for more? The SCG is such a great ground. It’s a wonderful thrill to walk out on it.
I have such wonderful memories. Like the day Miller forgot he had to collect Peter Philpott at Manly. When he realised he was on the Harbour Bridge; he did a u-turn on the bridge. The worst of it was Miller had four balls to bowl to complete his over from the night previous. He could not be late. Miller made it, only just. He came out with his shoelaces undone and bowled the other side out for 27.
Play hard but make sure, make absolutely sure, you maintain the tradition.
[note: R.G. Williams’ last first class game on Australian soil was at the most sacred place of all in January 1936, which puts Richie two years out. South Australia scored 94 — Bradman 0; Williams 10]
[left pic via Cricket Web; right pic via ABC]
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