Almanac Cricket: Headingley 1975

 

Wow, where have the last five decades gone? 1975, North Melbourne hadn’t yet won a  VFL flag; though they did before the year was over.  I was in form one, Gough Whitlam was Prime Minister, and Australian cricket was undergoing a renaissance. Oh yes, the Vietnamese people won a great victory. I’ve been thinking of the anniversary of an unusual Test match from August of that year, with an ending unlike most Tests, as the wicket was dug up. Read on.

 

The summer of 1974-75 saw us regain the Ashes, in a crushing 4-1 victory. 1975 saw the inaugural limited overs World Cup, in which Australia was beaten in the final by a West Indian side that was on it was way to greatness.

 

Following on we had a four-Test series in England. We won the first Test easily enough, an innings and 85 runs being the margin. In the last eight Tests between these two rivals, we’d won six with a solitary English win, and a draw, rounding out the total.

 

England responded by replacing captain Mike Denness with Tony Greig. In the second Test at Lords the home side was more resilient eking out a draw. Off to Headingley for the third Test. Could we seal the series, would England remain alive? In 1972 we’d gone to Headingley with a five-Test series level one apiece. The English produced a ‘Barry Crocker’ of a pitch, and our chances vanished rapidly. What would 1975 hold?

 

The Australians made one change for the third Test dropping opener Alan Turner, and recalling left arm seamer Gary ‘Gus’ Gilmour. During the World Cup, Australia played England at Headingley in a semi-final. Gilmour devastated the home team. He picked up 6-14 off his 12 overs, as England were knocked over for 93. It seemed like an easy Australian win. When Australia batted it wasn’t that simple, falling to 6-39 as Gilmour strode to the crease. An unbeaten 28 off 28 balls saw him, and Doug Walters, steer Australia to the victory. On the same ground circa eight weeks later Gilmour enjoyed a Test recall.

 

August 14 the match commenced. Following Tony Greig winning the toss England batted first. A large crowd of 21,000 came through the gates to  watch the contest. An even first day saw them reach stumps 5-251. Top scoring with 73 was the bespectacled, grey-haired David Steele. This was Steele’s second Test, and he was certainly proving a good test for Australia’s bowlers. His stand of 112 with veteran John Edrich frustrated the Australians giving the home side a sound foundation.   The Australians cleaned up the tail the following morning, dismissing England for 288. The pitch had played well, with Australia not bowling off-spinner Ashley Mallet, the only spin being two overs from captain Ian Chappell. Gilmour’s love of the Headingly pitch continued as he took 6-85. He was also involved in running out the English captain, Tony Grieg.

 

In reply Australia lost opener Rick McCosker for a duck but batted well before England introduced debutant Philippe-Henri Edmonds into the attack. The Zimbabwean born left arm spinner created all sorts of problems for Australia. His first wicket was Greg Chappell, followed next ball by Ross Edwards. In no time 2-78 was 5-81. The lower order eked out a few runs but a score of 135 saw the visitors 153 behind.

 

Edmonds picked up 5-25, in a stunning debut. Interestingly in a 51-test career he only ever picked up one more 5 wicket haul, that being 7/66 against Pakistan in Karachi, early in 1978. This was in his fourth Test, no more 5 wickets bags after then.  However, he still bowled well against Australia. In England’s Ashes victories in 1985, then in 1986-87, he played his role well. He picked up 15 wickets in both these victorious series.

 

After starting the third day 8-107 it wasn’t long before Australia was dismissed. England set about building a decent lead as Australia sought to remain in the match by dismissing the home side quickly. England batted steadily on the third day, with David Steele again passing the half century mark. Finally, after increasing the tempo, they were dismissed on day four. Australia needed 445 to win.  In our second innings opener Rick McCosker, with an unbeaten 95, set us on the way. Stumps day four we were 3-220 with McCosker, and Doug Walters, at the crease. Another 225 were needed to give Australia the Test victory, retaining the Ashes.

 

Well, day five never happened. Yes, rain appeared mid-morning to kybosh any possible chance of a result, but actions overnight made it certain there was no result. Under the cover of darkness vandals entered the ground, proceeding to dig up the pitch.  The covers were not removed, instead the vandals crawled under them to do the damage. In this area large holes were dug, with oil poured into the holes. Why?

 

Those involved sought the release of convicted armed robber George Davis, feeling this action would draw attention to his plight. Along with the damaged pitch there was also slogans daubed adjacent to the gates. These slogans included, “Free George Davis, Justice for George Davis, Sorry, it had to be done.”

 

One of those involved in these actions was George Davis’s then wife, Rose. She subsequently wrote to both captains apologising for the actions: Ian Chappell was the only one replying, expressing sorrow for the plight of George Davis.

 

Davis had been sentenced in March 1975 for the armed robbery of a London Electricity Board office on April 4, 1974. He was one of four arrested though the only person convicted. His 20-year sentence  saw a range of actions to secure his release. As well as the episode at Headingley, petitions, protest, sit ins all were used to draw attention to his cause, with high profile celebrities such as the Who’s Roger Daltrey, and bands like Duran Duran, and Tom Robinson Band, adding support to calls for his release.

 

The conviction of Davis saw concerns raised about the blood tests undertaken as a way of identifying the alleged crooks, as blood found at the scene of the robbery did not match that of Davis, or any of his co-accused. This information was suppressed at the time, with it appearing some police had colluded in the hope of getting a conviction. Davis was subsequently released in May 1976 as his conviction was deemed ‘unsafe’, thus Home Secretary, Roy Jenkins granted a royal pardon. Seemingly doubts remained about his role in this crime as apparently there were some people in the legal field unconvinced of his innocence.

 

Interestingly, Davis was made aware of the events unfolding on the proposed final morning of the Test. Though incarcerated in Albany prison he was informed by fellow prisoners the pitch was dug up. Apparently, he blamed the actions on the Australians not wanting to get beaten. Not long after as they watched the television the reality of the event was heard by Davis, and those with him in Albany prison. His thoughts?

 

This wasn’t his last time behind bars. Davis subsequently found himself back in custody again in the following years following further robberies. In 2011 his original conviction for the 1974 London Electricity Board robbery was overturned at the Court of appeal. Despite his criminal history it seems he’ll  always be remembered for the abandonment of a Test cricket match.

 

Anyhow, back to the Test. When ground staff found the damage they contacted the umpires Arthur Fagg and David Constant. A meeting was arranged with the team captains, and officials of both sides, the match being called off at 09-00.

 

So ended the Third Test of this 1975 Ashes series. From here it was off to the Oval for a final Test but what happened there is another story for another time.

 

Check out the scorecard Here.

 

Glen!

 

 

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