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For anyone who’s sleep-walking, it’s 23 days to Christmas.
Before Shane Warne came Hugh Trumble
I was talking with Trumble’s granddaughter Annette Leahy, and on the table between us were stacks of local family histories, well-preserved and well-documented.
Included were three books on Hugh Trumble; and, given the cricket season, that’s where I have started.
Hugh was born in 1867. His father, William, had four sons, one daughter – and a love of cricket.
They lived in Kew, and nearby was a perfect piece of grass; perfect, that is, if you want your boys to be test cricketers.
Every day, William would place a feather on the place which was considered to be the batsman’s blind spot.
And, every day they would bowl, until the balls bounced on the feather.
Two of his sons played in Australia’s XI – J.W. Trumble (known as John or Billy – depending on what you are reading).
He played in seven tests and was considered a valuable all-rounder.
Hugh, however, was the star.
He played in 32 tests, some as captain.
Also considered to be very useful with the bat, and in the field, Hugh offered an extraordinary right arm, off spin, and, on one occasion, took eight wickets for 65 runs.
He took two hat tricks at the MCG, the first in 1902 and then 1903-04.
Eventually, along came Warnie.
The Age front page, dated December 30, 1994, included the following:
‘The moment was frozen in time. In Ashes Tests no-one had taken a hat-trick since Hugh Trumble 91 years ago. The MCG celebrated another triumph for a local hero, and Warne, whose rise to the pinnacle of cricket has taken just three years, pinched himself again. ‘S’pose I’ll wake up soon’ he noted wryly.”
About Hugh
In 1988, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cricket Club, members were invited to choose the best cricket team, since 1838.
The entries were then compared with the cricket experts; the winner being the entry closest to the MCC’s panellists.
The winning entry included Hugh at number seven and Spofforth (called The Demon) at number 10.
In its editorial, the MCC pointed out that Spofforth bowled his fastest ball as the exception, rather than the rule.
And the most dangerous weapon, in an arsenal of infinite variety, was a speedy break back from the off.
“Batsmen could anticipate a succession of problems, trying to cope with Hughie Trumble, the best medium-paced-off spinner of the millennium”.
Please note: I have read several descriptions of Hugh’s bowling, but they are too difficult for me – and possibly for you.
They are all written in a language only cricket speaks.
But Hugh Trumble was more than a cricketer.
At 21 years old, he had accepted a position at the National Bank (which was tolerant of his many absences).
However, when he retired from cricket, he was given the position of manager of the Kew branch.
He also held a committee position at the MCC.
A comfortable residence was attached to the bank and Hugh, his wife Florence and four children under six, moved in.
He was 44 years of age, his 6’4” (193cm) frame still very tall, his focus on his job.
He was comfortable with his position and enjoying having his family close by.
Australian cricket had been in turmoil for a number of years.
However, now, the MCC was in trouble.
A long-term secretary had resigned, closely followed by the next.
A busy summer was beginning, and their appointment must be “impeccable, utterly reliable and dependable.”
They needed Hugh, who now faced a dilemma.
Financially, he’d be better off to stay put — so he tossed a coin. He said that ‘heads’ (MCC) won easily.
He remained a successful, respected and trusted secretary for 27 years — until his death in 1938. Hugh was 71 years old.
After all that I have read and heard, I completely agree with a statement made by Sir Edward Mitchell — “There was no better judge than Hugh Trumble of what was, or was not, cricket — whether on the playing field or off it.”
There were so many stories stacked on Annette’s table; I will be a regular visitor over the next couple of months.
Take care and may it be easy, my friends
Marnie
Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au
Phone: Text or call 0409 317187