CRICKET (excerpt)
Harry Graham (Victoria), aptly named "the little dasher," has effectually disproved the theory that an Australian colt cannot be expected to do much on English wickets at the first time of asking, in 1892 he came to the front with a series of first-class batting performances and was included in the 1893 Australians Eleven. Graham was the hero of the team, securing absolutely the highest batting average, viz., 28.27 for 53 completed innings. One of his best innings was in a test match at Lords, when he compiled 107 out of 209, and in Australia last season he topped the century in another test match at Sydney, against the deadly Richardson — on a bad wicket too. Once set, Graham takes no end of shifting, and every minute means runs. Like Gregory, he is short in stature, but is a powerful hitter. Quick-footed and nerveless, but not reckless, he is a terror to bowlers, and in the outfield has proved himself safe as a bag. -NZ Mail, 20/2/1896.
TOPICS OF THE TIME (excerpt)
Harry Graham seems to have retired into his shell again. The " little dasher" has not been himself this tour. The Australians will have their work cut out to dismiss the Derbyshire men twice in one day, especially when it is remembered that Jones and Trumble, two of their bowlers, are not taking part in the game. -Evening Post 23/7/1896.
NOTES BY LONG SLIP (excerpt)
Harry Graham, the Victorian cricketer, who has been secured to coach the Boys' High School, was a passenger by the Mokoia, which arrived from Melbourne on Tuesday. -Otago Witness, 4/11/1903.
Canterbury College has Bannerman as coach; Otago High School Harry Graham. These two men represent the antithesis of method; the former a stonewaller, the latter a "dasher." It will be curious to watch whethejr each man will make a distinct impress on the styles of his respective pupils. -Hawera and Normanby Star, 6/11/1903.
Much interest was taken in the appearance of Harry Graham and F. Shacklock at the crease in the Colts-Otago match on Monday. The "little dasher" went out to "have a bang at Dowries," and with his third ball lifted one high from the Grange bowler into the deep field dangerously near Beardon, who made an attempt but failed to reach it. Graham made double figures in fast and attractive style; but in going out to send one from Downes to the boundary the Australian batsman was stumped. -Otago Witness, 11/11/1903.
Several of our tired cricketers (of which we have too many) might take a lesson from Graham in running between the wickets. A splendid judge of a run, the Victorian never hesitates for a moment, and is off at the opportunity. Graham's batting partner knows, or should know, that when he calls it is time to hurry. During the High School vacation Harry Graham will play for Corisbrook, and will be seen in that club's B team on Saturday next. The inclusion of the "Little Dasher" will add greatly to the interest in the matches in which he will take part.
Amongst the number of congratulatory telegrame received by the popular Carisbrook batsman, Jerry Austin, on his record score of 182 not out for Otago last week was one from Arthur Sims, the Canterbury representative. The wire read: "Send me your wide bat!"
Geddes, the captain of the Otago representative team, has been unfortunate this season, in that he lost the toss against both Canterbury and Southland, the only reprosentative watches played by Otago.
Badly-defeated Otago team returned from their northern routing on Tuesday of last week. Next day saw Port Chalmers Band assembled outside Captain Geddes's residence playing the "Dead March"!
After seeing Harry Graham's attractive batting at Carisbrook on Saturday, I can quite understand his popularity in Victoria and the sobriquet the "Little Dasher." Graham is a little dasher from the first ball sent down to the last, which sends him back to the pavilion. Clad in his right, cricket mind, and at tip-top form, the Victorian must be an attractive bat to watch. The spectators on Saturday were treated to a great display of free-hitting all round the wicket — hard, crisp, and well-timed strokes. On driving, off driving, leg glancing and back-cutting were all exemplified by the Little Dasher. One of his best strokes on Saturday was a back cut, which came off the bat with a crisp '"ack!" stirring the heart like a trumpet call. -Otago Daily Times, 6/1/1904.
Cricket. (abridged)
THE North and South Island match was stubbornly fought out from beginning to end, and resulted in a win for the Southerners by two wickets. It was generally anticipated by the prophets that the margin in favour of the South Island at the conclusion of the match would be considerably more than it was, and the result of the game once more demonstrates the fact that it is unwise to attempt to forecast the result of a cricket match.
The cricket was good, generally speaking, and quite justified the Cricket Council in instituting the fixture, but the financial loss — something like £50 — may cause it to be dropped. In my opinion, though, there would have been no financial deficit if the game had been properly advertised, and the interest of the public aroused in it.
An annually recurring game between the two islands must inevitably be for the improvement of the game, and the Cricket Council, or its nominees, should the match be played again, must boom it for all it is worth. I do not mean by this advertisements of the nature of those inserted while the game under notice was in progress - "Come and see Harry Graham, the little dasher," etc. — these savour too much of circus notices; but advertisements and press paragraphs in the nature of those inserted in connection with the recent championship gathering of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. The expenses of the inter-island match are heavy, I know, but I sincerely hope that the non-success of the financial part of the match just played may not deter the authorities from trying again next year to bring the best cricketers in New Zealand together to play for the prestige of their own part of the colony. In passing, the ground arrangements made by the secretary and treasurer of the Wellington Cricket Association were good, and reflected credit on those officers.
Harry Graham was not well enough the first innings to do full justice to himself, but he was very aggressive with the bat in his second journey to the wickets. His display, however, was full of blemishes. Early an uppish cut past cover-point nearly sent him back to the pavilion, and many of his strokes through the slips went perilously near the fieldsmen. But, Graham's forcing strokes were a revelation to the players in both teams, and to the spectators. Walking out of his crease to either the fast or slow bowler, he would bang the best of the bowling right off the middle stump to square leg, and occasionally a ball well outside the off stump would be treated the same way. This stroke seemed a favourite one of his, but now and again a drive, either to the off or on past the bowler, would be sandwiched in between them. Harry Graham — how the name lingers with a lover of Australian cricket, and what great deeds with the bat are associated with the name of the "little dasher." Here are three of his scores in test matches alone — 107, 42 and 105. -Free Lance, 30/1/1904.
Cricket (excerpt)
Owing to his absence in Wellington playing for the South Island against North Island, Harry Graham was unable to take part in the match Carisbrook A against B last Saturday. The "Little Dasher" was however, a cheerful spectator of the concluding day's play, and was one of the most wildly-enthusiastic of the small band of onlookers who cheered Jerry Austin when the popular Carisbrook bat completed his century. -Otago Daily Times, 4/2/1904.
Notes by Long Slip (excerpt)
Experts (Albion supporters mostly) concluded that had McKay been on hand with his lightning deliveries the eleven which claims Harry Graham, of All-Australia fame, and Jerry Austin, present champion batsman of Otago, might have been dismissed for considerably fewer runs than were obtained. Possibly; and a confession made by a Caricbrook B cricketer who was in a measure responsible for his team's victory might go in support of the foregoing conclusions: "Personally I'm grateful for McKay's absence, for I cannot play him, and am in fear and trembling of balls which get up and whip past my eyebrows."
Harry Graham, padded in his right cricket mind, swings himself lightly off the pavilion and steps briskly out to the batting crease. There is method in his movements. He has gone out to slam the bowling, or, as he smilingly remarked to someone in the pavilion, "to have a wang and go out." Tho game is all over bar shouting, and the batsman is pardoned the expression. He can afford to be daringly aggressive, and the spectators have assembled to see some electric batting. The gamin of the North Ground stop their tin-can cricket to watch the man whose swiftly-executed strokes and brilliant play have gained for him the title "Little Dasher." The first ball he drives hard and fast past the bowler, but the leather cannot tear itself through the tangled outfield of the North Ground, and only a single results. The same stroke on Carisbrook would probably have sent the ball skimming over the track and through the rails. I say probably, for the ball doesn't circus much on Carisbrook, and a smart field might pick up a hot turf drive and return it before he is conscious of the burning sensation in the palm of his hand. These smart returns off balls just skimming the surface are of rare occurrence on the old Caledonian Ground, mainly because the ball has a wicked habit of bumping over the head of the fieldsman just as he is about to take it. At the same time I have seen some clean fielding on this ground, and have paused in wonderment at the execution. Several of the north end cricketers know the ground so well that they time the ball to bump at a certain spot, and field accordingly. But this is a digression. Graham, having lost the bowling, watches his batting partner play the next ball, and is halfway up the pitch when the stroke is made. Two or three more runs are added, when the Australian goes forward, balanced on tip-toe for a powerful drive, misses the ball, and is smartly stumped before he can get his foot down — a victim to wang. A sigh of disappointment goes up from the spectators as the man who has made his century against All England is out for 4. Graham smiles as he comes in from the wicket. Half-way towards the pavilion a small boy queries: "Are you out, mister?" "Yes, I think so, sonny." replies Graham, and the gamin resumes his end at the tin-can wicket. -Otago Witness, 17/2/1904.
CRICKET.
The "little dasher," Harry Graham, has sent me (says "Felix" in the 'Australasian') a line from Dunedin. He says: — "Cricket is booming in New Zealand, and I shall not be a bit surprised if they give the Australian States a real good go in a few years' time. There are some really fine cricketers over here, all very keen. The only drawback is the weather. Generally it is wet in summer, but this year has been an exception. Since the start of this year we have had real Australian weather, only not quite so hot. I have not played much myself. In eight knocks I have made 300, highest score 87 against Southland. Gillie Wilson, of St. Kilda fame, batted really well for 113 not out against us. Our best bat is G. Austin, who got 182 not out. He batted splendidly, and I would like to fee him in Melbourne for a summer on the tip-top wickets. I am sure he would bat really well. He has a style very like Frank Iredale's. This is a grand country to live in. I played with Syd. Callaway for the South against the North Island at Wellington. He is in splendid form; bowling and batting so well that I think the Selection Committee would not be doing much harm if they gave him a show in a 'test.' Kind regards to old friends." -Evening Star, 4/3/1904.
CRICKET.
[By Umpire.] It has been the custom for Australian cricket writers for many years to speak of Harry Graham as "the Little Dasher." "Felix," I think it was, originated the term when Graham, then just emerging from the days of coltdom, so dazzled the Melbourne public with his brilliant batting. Watching Graham bat, it is not hard to see how the term originated. On Saturday, at Carisbrook, Alick Downes was bowling to him on a soft, dead wicket, and keeping the ball for the most part well out of Harry's reach. But if Graham wants a hit he gets it, sometimes whether the stroke is likely to cost him his wicket or not. When he had made 17 he jumped seven or eight feet down the wicket to get at a length ball. On a wicket like Saturday's, if a man means to hit he has to get right at the pitch of the ball, as it comes on at all heights and all paces after striking the ground. Graham managed to do this, and his swinging bat did not mistime it either. There were risks in the stroke, even apart from the tremendous jump from the crease to the ball, and had Jim Downes, away out in the long field, managed to stick to a ball he got both hands on to after running some little distance Harry would have been out off it. It did not make much difference, as soon after Graham hit out very hard at one from Henderson that was well up, and missed it. It looked as though he made a yorker of it, but the ball kept very low. In fact, all Saturday on that wicket it was a very easy thing to hit over the ball. -Evening Star, 16/3/1904.
Cricket (excerpt)
Harry Graham's engagement as coach ot the Boys' High School terminates on March 31. A meeting is to be held shortly to consider what arrangements can be made for Graham's services next season. Failing to secure employment during the winter months, Graham will return to Melbourne. -Otago Daily Times, 30/3/1905.
NOTES BY LONG SLIP.
A promising young batsman of the Carisbrook Club in the person of W. Scarrow has been appointed to a position in Invercargill, which centre should benefit by his services on the cricket field. At the conclusion of last cricket season it was feared that Dunedin had seen the last of Harry Graham, the ex-international cricketer, but I rejoice to know that the "Little Dasher," as the Melbourne public fondly christened him, is to be with us for another term. The Albion Club in its wisdom decided to engage Graham as ccach and groundsman for the season. The salary is, I understand, to be £3 per week. Graham will be expected to look after the ground — with a scythe, presumably, — prepare the wicket, and coach. It is possible also, on certain days in the week, that Graham will coach the Otago High School boys. The ex-international has been "wintering" at Milton, where he has been engaged in pursuing the wily rabbit to its burrow. About the first week in October Graham is expected in town to take up his duties on the North Ground. -Otago Witness, 23/8/1905.
The Ethics of Cricket (excerpt)
by Drumahandle
Exhibitions of temper by players are derogatory to their dignity, and destructive of the kindly feeling in which the game ought to be played. In the match against the Melbourne team in Dunedin last February a local change bowler had several boundaries hit off him in quick succession. His next ball, a long hop delivered, in a very evident state of boiling indignation, was sent crashing to the fence. "Tut," said the man next me; "what's the good of him losing his temper?" A somewhat similar, but more pardonable incident occurred in a test match, against Stoddart's team. Johnny Briggs, one of the most genial and best all-round men who ever took the field, was bowling, on a very bad wicket, to Harry Graham. Barry was in magnificent form, and in spite of Johnny's numberless wiles and brainy strategems, the fieldsmen were kept chasing the ball into every corner of the ground. When Harry had scored over a hundred, the little Lancashire man sent down a ball, into which he had put the last resources of his art, and which, under ordinary conditions, should have got any man out. The "little dasher," instead of returning the ball in the orthodox manner — softly, and about chest high, hit just a little too soon, and sent the ball high and some distance over the bowler's head. Johnny, exultant, ran swiftly backwards, measuring the ball with his eye, but when nearly under it he unfortunately crossed his legs and came down heavily. Jumping up, he dashed his cap on the ground, jumped on it, and cried out in vexation: "Curse these Australians; they don't know 'ow to bat!" "That'll do, Johnny," said Stoddart quietly, and Johnny dried the starting tear. -Otago Witness, 29/1/1908.
CRICKET.
NOTES BY LONG SLIP
The death took place yesterday of Harry Graham, the Australian international cricketer, who twice visited England with the Australian Eleven, first with Blackham's team in 1893 and again with Trott's team in 1896. Harry Graham, who was popularly named the "Little Dasher," was one of the most attractive batsmen Australia ever produced. On his first tour of England in 1893 Graham compiled 219 against Derbyshire, and headed the batting averages of the tour with 28.36 runs. He had also the honour of compiling 107 in a test match in England, and 105 in a test match in Australia. After his retirement from big cricket Harry Graham was secured as coach to the Otago Boys' High School, with whom he did exceptionally good service, as many of those who benefited by his coaching will testify. In the season of 1903-04 Graham made his first appearance for Otago in an interprovincial match against Southland at Carisbrobk, playing one of the brightest innings ever witnessed on the ground. He hit up 86 in 47 minutes, made up of three 6's and 10 4's, scoring his 86 to his partner's 13! Graham played for Otago against Canterbury the same season, compiling 9 and 20. The following year he represented Otago against Wellington, playing a good innings for 34. Against Canterbury and Southland in 1904-5 Graham failed to produce form, but against the Australian Eleven of 1905, which included Trumper, Noble, Hill, Armstrong, and Co., played a fine innings of 28 in Otago's low-scoring second innings of 76. Against Canterbury in the season Harry Graham played two fine innings of 60 and 47, greatly assisting Otago to win by 82 runs. Again against Auckland on the Carisbrook Ground in the season of 1906 the late Australian international compiled 44 and 24, using his late cut, in which stroke he was such a past master to great advantage. In that match, bowling leg theory, Graham secured four Auckland second innings' wickets for 39 runs. Graham made several appearances for Otago after that with more or less success, but he never reproduced the brilliant form which made him the idol of the Australian public. -Otago Witness, 8/2/1911.
Of Harry Graham, who died at Dunedin early this month. "Not Out," of the Referee, has this to say: — "Harry Graham, born 29th November, 1870, died 7th February, 1911, at Dunedin, New Zealand, aged 40 years. The once brilliant Victorian batsman had been weak in health and mind for some time, and his death was not unexpected. He came into prominence with a meteoric burst in the early '90's, went to England with the Australians in 1893, and by scoring a century against England at Lord's made his name famous at a time when centuries in Test matches were few and far between. Like his little contemporary, S. E. Gregory, Graham possessed wonderful pluck. He used to dash down the pitch and hit the fast bowling of T. Richardson as though it were slow googlies. The greatest innings I ever saw 'The Little Dasher' play was one of the most wonderful ever seen on a cricket field. It was 16 years ago on the Sydney ground. A. E. Stoddart won the toss, and informed George Giffen that he and his men could bat. It was a bowler's wicket for England v. Australia. Peel and Richardson were making the ball talk. Peel got rid of Trott, Giffen, and Bruce, and Richardson disposed of Moses, Gregory and Iredale fell to Briggs, and six wickets were down for 51.
"It was then that Darling, the colt, joined Graham, and the aggressive truudlers were attacked. Richardson was making the ball break back a foot and fly head or shoulder high. To a lefthander he seemed impossible. And it was so to Harry Moses. But Darling could swing a bat as hard as any man against the ball, and twice he lifted balls from the fast bowler into the tennis courts. Graham ran down the pitch, and, like a terrier after a rat, aimed with the bat unerringly at the ball. He knocked off perhaps the greatest fast bowler of the last 25 years. And on such a wicket. The pitch improved, and steadying himself, Graham was able to play orthodox cricket, and make 105. On a bad wicket that innings has never been surpassed by any I have seen, though V. Trumper and R. N. Hickson have each played one on the same ground little less remarkable.
"Harry Graham became a more sedate and careful batsman after a few years. He failed on his second tour in England in 1896 — that in which S. E. Gregory was the star — and through not taking the necessary care to keep his health robust and his form with the bat good, he rarely again reached his earlier excellence. Graham was a batsman whose courage and skill will never be outlined by mere figures. He was able to climb high, and might have been still among the best batsmen in the country, as S. E. Gregory is, if life had gone differently with him." -Evening Post, 25/2/1911.
Having already paid tribute to the memory of the late Harry Graham, who now lies at rest in the little cemetery at Anderson's Bay, overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific, I hasten to add the appreciation of others who knew him well, and in whose memory the "Little Dasher" wil always live. "Felix," who watched the late international cricketer's career closely, and who was privileged to know him well, says:— "ln his college days, at Berwick, under the tuition of Mr E. L. Vieusieux, Harry Graham showed much promise as a batsman, and as a mere lad he made fine scores in excellent style. After leaving college he joined South Melbourne, and later on he found his way to the M.C.C. In club matches he made splendid scores. He was quite young when he first played in interstate cricket, and throughout his career he performed with great credit in those contests. In 1893 he went to England as a member of an Australian team, andl came out with a capital record. In 1896 he again went to England, and acquitted himself well. I think I was the first to dub him the 'little dasher,' and he certainly was a 'dasher,' fearless and free. So free and fearless that he actually ran out to hit the Surrey express, Tom Richardson. It can honestly be said of Harry Graham that he was fully entitled to be ranked amongst the star batsmen of the world. When Bosanquet first bowled in Australia, Harry Graham made 92 against him for Victoria, in 1903, and Warner, in his book, referred to his innings as 'dashing and faultless.' So it was." During the waiting prior to the fourth test match at Melbourne the other day very regretful references were made by the cricketers to the death of Harry Graham. The brilliant test match batting of the dead cricketer was recalled, and the opinion was freely expressed that Victoria never produced a more fearless batsman. -Otago Witness, 1/3/1911.
Cricket
Notes by Long Slip
While the South Melbourne team was in Dunedin the members of that combination visited the grave of the late Harry Graham, and found it neglected and overgrown with weeds. Councillor Baragwanath (who travelled with the team) and one of the South Melbourne delegates introduced the matter at a recent meeting of the Victorian Cricket Association, and suggested that a subscription be raised to erect a tombstone over the grave. I referred to the subject when the cablegram was received advising that it had been mentioned at a meeting of the Victorian Cricket Association. I do not know what Victoria proposes doing in the matter, but I certainly think Otago should do something. The late Harry Graham played under the auspices of the Otago Cricket Association and represented the province in several of its representative matches. Many of us have pleasant recollections of the late “Little Dasher,” and although the evening of his days was pathetic, we remember only the cricketer of distinction who delighted thousands with his wonderful prowess. The hero of international cricket and the idol of his day, Harry Graham lies buried far from home and kindred, and his lonely grave on the hillside is neglected and covered with weeds. I am sure that an appeal to all cricketers and those interested in the game of which Harry Graham was such a clever exponent will not be made in vain. The idea would be to open up a shilling subscription, and with the funds so obtained to erect a kerbing and place an iron railing round the grave. Otago might well do this. “Long Slip” is pleased to start the fund with a modest contribution, and will acknowledge contributions as they come to hand each week. -Otago Witness, 5/3/1913.
"the evening of his days was pathetic" — those words may have been written with the knowledge that, on July 27, 1907, Harry Graham was admitted to Seacliff mental asylum with a diagnosis of "a state of acute alcoholic mania." He never left.
THE LATE HARRY GRAHAM'S GRAVE.
Sir, — In the cricketing notes this week "Longslip" accuses the cricketers of Otago of neglecting the grave of the late Mr Harry Graham. It would have been better if "Longslip" had taken the trouble to ascertain the true facts. When the health of the late Mr Graham broke down I at once communicated with his relatives in Australia, as well as with some of the leading men in the cricketing world who had been intimately associated with him. I asked to be allowed to arrange for the cricketers of Otago to carry out, at their own expense, the funeral arrangements, and also to care for the grave. I farther informed the Hospital authorities that I would personally be responsible for all the funeral expenses. Mr Graham's relatives, however, ignored this offer and made their own arrangements. When news of Mr Graham's death was received, the O.C.A. at once proposed to arrange for the funeral, but were told that the instruction had been received from his relatives that there was to be a strictly private funeral, and that they declined to allow representatives of the association to even attend the funeral.
I can assure "Longslip" that if the O.C.A. had been allowed there, would have been no talk about the "overgrown and neglected state of the "Little Dasher's" last resting place. When the relatives did not wish the cricketers of Otago to take any part, surely it was impossible for them to do anything.
Regarding the suggestion to open a subscription list to place a railing round the grave, it seems to me that now the Victorian Association has the matter in hand nothing should be done till the local association receives advice from it. I regret that there should be occasion to refer to the matter in the press, but it is only fair that the public should have the true facts before it, as a wrong impression is being created by "Longslip." — I am, etc,, - , J. J. CLARK, Dunedin, March . -Otago Daily Times, 8/3/1913.
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