1 review for Sissons, Ric – Reggie, five years of fame, Reg Duff’s story, mint

1. 

   Ken – November 4, 2015

   A preview of Ed Cowan’s foreword to Reggie

   When Reggie Duff, 23, was first selected for Australia he was roundly hooted as he emerged from the Melbourne Pavilion for the first time in the cauldron of a Test match. Apparently the Victorians had wanted one of their own in the side, rather than Reggie, subject of this fascinating yesteryear biography by Ric Sissons.
   He soon won them over, topscoring with 32 and following with a century from No.10 in the second innings to launch a career in fabulous style. Apparently he had all the shots and then some, including an onside whip over the top of mid wicket not unlike the one Steve Smith uses now.
   Elevated up the order to opening, he toured England twice and formed the first great Australian Test opening partnership with Victor Trumper, the ultimate Golden Age hero.
   The hero-worship for Trumper 100 years after his death continues. He must have been an absolutely sublime player, the top-of-the-tree, Australia’s best before the Don.
   While he was the standout, he was also just one of team of super talents in a wonderful period known as the game’s Golden Age.
   Reading through the pages of Reggie, all the big names emerge like Noble, Armstrong, Trumble and Clem Hill, Australia’s first great left-hander. Reginald Alexander Duff from North Sydney CC must also have been one heck of a player, his shotmaking joyous and unhibited. How he would have loved all three varieties of cricket as we enjoy today.
   I was particularly taken by the famous picture of Reggie walking down the Lord’s steps side-by-side Trumper about to open Australia’s innings in 1905. Both carry just one glove for the top hand. While Trumper grips his bat quite hard – he always liked Duff to face the first ball because of his nerves – Reggie has his bat calmly tucked under his arm as if he’s going out for a Sunday afternoon social.
   Apparently he and his North Sydney clubmate, Bert Hopkins were the life of the party on tour, Reggie’s one-liners and dry sense of humour a shining light. I liked his quips to the press, always good-hearted and delivered with a smile. The Australians were treated as celebrities everywhere they went, being entertained at dinners, receiving invitations to the West End and travelling first-class everywhere. Tours back then were the full monty. The 1902 boys played 39 matches and the 1905 lads 38, most of them first-class. By comparison when we went in 2013, we played just three county games and five Tests – eight major games in all.
   Sadly, Reggie was to disappear almost as quickly as he arrived. He was a genuine shooting star and with eyesight problems complicating his final playing years, he died young. I liked the touch of Clem Hill and his Australians wearing black armbands in memory of Reggie, during the first Ashes Test of 1911-12, just 48 hours after Reggie’s death.
   With a career-best score of 271, a Test-best 146 and that epic, matchwinning hundred on debut in Melbourne, Reggie’s career may have been short, but it was full of fantastic highs.
   It is my privilege to pen these few words about a fellow New South Welshman who is the subject of such a lovingly researched memoir. I wish Ric Sissons every success with this book. May many other of yesterday’s otherwise forgotten heroes be similarly honoured.