In his speech at the end of the fifth Test match, the Australian captain, Don Bradman, very rightly sympathised with the English side over their ill-luck regarding the weather conditions during this match. STUMPS. . . And the shoutings wane. Honor to those who tried, But the sun and the rain Have triumphed again; And a valiant side -- Old England's pride -- Have fought to a finish in vain, Suffered the stress and the strain, Struggled with hope denied By the luck of the sun and the rain. LUCK . . . But they never complain. Since ever the coin was spun Luck, in disdain, Brought sun and rain -- A match begun With the blistering sun Beating on body and brain, All to the batsmen's gain; Then, with the innings done, Comes the unkindly rain. THUS do the Fates ordain; So have the fortunes swung. But the sun and the rain -- That ruthless twain That poets have sung Since the world was young -- Here have they been a bane, Bringing defeat in their train -- A toss; a call that was vain; And the rest with the sun and the rain. ASHES . . . For both . . . But the pain Of defeat has left no blight, No sullying stain; And cricket again -- As they praise aright The victor's might -- Is king; and the way is plain, When he comes once more to reign, To wish them a valiant fight And the luck of that fickle twain, The sun and the rain.
"Den" |
Copyright © Perry Middlemiss 2003-07 |