On this day ...

[Mick]

In 1948 on 15th May there was a bit of an occasion at Southchurch Park.

(Apologies to those who have written everything to do with Southend out of their record books.)

[Valentines Park]

Did someone pick up a dog turd?

[Andy]

Did someone pick up a dog turd?

No, but looks like a lot of it was being bowled. My father met someone who was there - the crowd stopped applauding after an hour or so because it was such a mismatch.

Don Bradman was one strange man: at odds with his own team over this pointless show of strength. At least we'd never concede 700 in a day nowada...I think I'll stop there.

[IlfordEagle]

Despite conceding 721 we were the only side to bowl them out in a day I believe in that year!!
Even in those days our batting let us down though!!

[Andy]

Despite conceding 721 we were the only side to bowl them out in a day I believe in that year!!
Even in those days our batting let us down though!!

To be fair, our erstwhile all rounder was unable to be - presumably he had to fly out to India...

[jimmy]

I thought one this day in 1948 Paul Grayson said promotion was our number one priority.

[firehazard]

Did someone pick up a dog turd?

No, but looks like a lot of it was being bowled. My father met someone who was there - the crowd stopped applauding after an hour or so because it was such a mismatch...

My mother claims to have been there, though I've never been able to spot her in any of the recorded footage.

[Mog]

I thought one this day in 1948 Paul Grayson said promotion was our number one priority.

But only when rationing and austerity are seen off, and that the Club could rely on the Marshall Plan for overseas support - just as long as none of those foreigners were ever made captain.

[terryb]

There is footage of the Australian innings on www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/142.
Notice the outfield condition. Hockey was played on the outfield and consequently looked after. Nowadays it is a local football side's practice pitch. There were 30,000 spectators. Non members paid 1 shilling (5p) each.

[IlfordEagle]

How on earth did they squeeze 30,000 into Southchurch (presumably on Day 1 & not the 2 days together ) ?
I would love to meet/speak to anybody who was there on both/either day as it must have been a wonderful match to watch.

[Andy]

I thought one this day in 1948 Paul Grayson said promotion was our number one priority.

But only when rationing and austerity are seen off, and that the Club could rely on the Marshall Plan for overseas support - just as long as none of those foreigners were ever made captain.

Tee hee.

Also a strange thought struck me - there is match footage on the East Anglian archives and when the ECCC team walk out to field at the start of the match Tom Pearce towered over the other 10 players: it looked like a middle aged bloke leading out a group of youngsters for the Witham 4th XI.

[Mick]

I thought one this day in 1948 Paul Grayson said promotion was our number one priority.

But only when rationing and austerity are seen off, and that the Club could rely on the Marshall Plan for overseas support - just as long as none of those foreigners were ever made captain.

Tee hee.

Also a strange thought struck me - there is match footage on the East Anglian archives and when the ECCC team walk out to field at the start of the match Tom Pearce towered over the other 10 players: it looked like a middle aged bloke leading out a group of youngsters for the Witham 4th XI.

A group of youngsters ? Do you mean our T20 team ?

[Mick]

How on earth did they squeeze 30,000 into Southchurch (presumably on Day 1 & not the 2 days together ) ?
I would love to meet/speak to anybody who was there on both/either day as it must have been a wonderful match to watch.

I think you'll find that was the two days combined.

[Andy]

Also a strange thought struck me - there is match footage on the East Anglian archives and when the ECCC team walk out to field at the start of the match Tom Pearce towered over the other 10 players: it looked like a middle aged bloke leading out a group of youngsters for the Witham 4th XI.

A group of youngsters ? Do you mean our T20 team ?

Well, I'd hardly say that Fossie towers above them - more like big Jesse. Does it reflect the substantial height difference between the classes (as apart from a very young Bailey the others were mostly pros)?

[Mog]

How on earth did they squeeze 30,000 into Southchurch (presumably on Day 1 & not the 2 days together ) ?
I would love to meet/speak to anybody who was there on both/either day as it must have been a wonderful match to watch.

Absolutely. In those days as many of the spectators stood as had seats - I understood it was 32,000 over two two days.
Southchurch Park was easily the biggest venue Essex used - prior to its utilitarian replacement at GP - (what a resounding success that proved to be!) - buffeted by freezing winds - its own microclimate 10 degrees cooler than 5 minutes down the road. Pitches that made any prospect of enjoyable cricket or a match that even made it past lunch on day three a non-starter......They should have just stayed at Southchurch Park. But ECCC know best of course.