Cricket report with a difference

By Brian Sanderson

Further to Tony report which appeared on Cricket Archives, I looked in Wisden fsor 1944.
It stated that The Army were deprived of their opening bowlers G.O.Allen and G.Lambert.
so that is why Sellers opened the bowling .Lambert played for Gloucester and in 1949  was
regarded s the fastest bowler in English County cricket.  the match as Tony thought was curtailed by
rain which caused a draw.

Looking last night through on of my favorite website archive newspapers ,I found the report of the
match which brought a smile to my face and thought it should be shared.

 The Army were Nearly Torpedoed

The Navy should have torpedoed the Army at Lords's .The Senior Service only wanted 31 runs
for victory,and had six warships in line when the last shot was fired.
Solders naturally won't agree but neutrals will regret that the"Sailors"did not get away with the loot.
It would have been one those smashing surprises for which the British fleet is famous.

When the scorecards were printed the Army with their batting order studded with famous cricketers
seemed to have on hand an easy pushover.
But as often before a small landing party of Royal Marines did terrific execution for the ships.
Lt.T.G.Bailey took 5 of the best Army wickets for 45 runs .About the most impressive feat of his
career.He clean bowled Halliday and also accounted for Sellers.

Another sea-solder Lt. W.H.Mallett  proved  the outstanding personality of the match.He took three
wickets for 36-made a great catch and then when Sellers threatened to treat the bluejackets
as nine-pins -hit a hurricane half-century in forty minutes that turned the game.

The most blinding flash of memorable cricket of the day was,however soldier stuff .It was Bill
Levett's stumping  of Lt Sinclair off Sellers (3 for 17 ) on the leg side .
This was forked lightening in gloves and pad/

 I could imagine this being a scene from Monty Python show.The report was in the People newspaper.

On the same page there were reports of battles in the Pacific and Normandy.

On the wireless on General Forces you could listen to a report o the match and the Priestly Cup Final
from 4.15 till 5.00.The final was between Spen Victoria and Yeadon at  Park Avenue Bradford. There was only twoovers bowled and would be resume on the 16 September On that date Spen Victoria won the double
by bowling Yeadon out for 79.