cricketground

Percy Chapman: ‘The most delightful gentleman and an ideal captain’ – Almanack As a tall, polished left-handed batsman who, excelling in the off-drive and leg-side strokes, was generally willing and able to attack the bowling, he scored 16,309 runs, average 31.97, in a first-class career dating from 1920 to 1939. Of his 27 centuries, the highest and certainly one of the best was 260 for Kent against Lancashire, that season’s Champions, at Maidstone in 1927. The position when he went in was far from encouraging, half the side being out for 70 runs. Yet he and GB Legge (101) assailed an attack including such men as EA McDonald, the Australian fast bowler, Richard Tyldesley and FM Sibbles with such vigour that in two and a half hours they put on 284 runs. Born at Reading, Berkshire, he was in the Uppingham eleven for four years from 1916 to 1919, being captain in the last two, and soon attracted attention with splendid performances. Tributes to Percy Chapman Jack Hobbs I well remember the surprise caused by the appointment of Percy Chapman as the England captain for the final Test against Australia at The Oval in 1926. He was only 25 and all the team liked him. He was not a disciplinarian like his predecessors and he did not hesitate to seek advice. He often talked to me about tactics on the field and he set a great example with his brilliant catching in the slips. The Australian crowds loved him during the tour of 1928/29 when he made us a happy team. Billy Griffith I will always remember him for his debonair and aggressive approach to the game and as a great fielder. George Duckworth He was the most delightful gentleman and an ideal captain. He had such a persuasive charm as a leader that you could not help trying your utmost for him. Source: wisden.com/almanack/percy-chapman-the-most-delightful-gen...

The Woolloongabba Cricket Ground, aka THE GABBA, was established in 1895, with a capacity of 37,000, lush grassy banks, and beautiful Moreton Bay fig trees for shade. The first match was played on 19 December 1896 between Parliament and The Press, resulting in a tie with 61 runs each. The first Test Match was on 27 November 1931 against South Africa. There have been many memorable moments at the Gabba over the years. One of the most significant was the famous 1960 Tied Test between Australia and the West Indies played 9-14 December in which Richie Benaud was a stand-out. The grass and fig trees of the original Gabba ground have sadly been replaced by modern concrete stands and facilities – capacity has also been increased to 42,000. It is now officially known as the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but nostalgic cricket fans continue to call it The Gabba. Source: kangaroopointhistory.com.au/places/the-gabba-woolloongabb...

Ladies v Gentleman Cricket Match on the Showground (now Cooroy Sporting Complex). Source: cooroy.online/cooroy-history/cooroy-social-history/