Stan McCabe very popular with England Players

by A.C. de Silva

MUTUAL FRIENDS: Stan McCabe - is an Australian, but even at the heat of the 'Bodyline' furroe, he remained popular with the English players, for he was the most chivalrous of men. In the last match of the 1934 tour, Herbert Sutcliffe struck a ball from McCabe for what seemed a certain three, and then saw it bonce off the umpire's foot at square-leg.

He hastily sent back his partner Bob Wyatt. But by then, the ball had been returned to McCabe at the bowler's end and he could have run out Wyatt by yards.

He made no attempt to do so. No did he make any show of the fact that he was allowing Wyatt to escape. He simply turned and walked back to his mark.

When asked why he hadn't run Wyatt out, he strugged "It wouldn't have been fair." he said.

He is remembered mainly as a batsman, but he began his career as a medium pacer who could be quite quick on occasions.

McCabe's best figures of 11 wickets for 33 runs have raised a few eyebrows down the years. But they are explained by the fact that in 1932, Western Ontario was allowed to play 18 men to counter the full might of Australia. The war brought down the curtain upon his career, and then, in 1968 - aged 58 - he fell to his death from a cliff top near his home.

The master

Veteran Aussies will treasure the memory of that unbeaten 187 he played in the Bodyline Series because it was the most defiant answer ever given to that most controversial form of attack. But Bradman isn't alone in believing that McCabe's innings at Trent Bridge in 1938 was even more remarkable.

England had batted first and made 658 for 8 wickets declared. Then Australia had lost 6 wickets - including that of Bradman - for 194 runs. McCabe would have to rely upon Barnell, O'Reilly, McCermick and Fleetwood-Smith for support at the other end of these, only Barnett had any pretensions to being a batsman.