That's because there was nothing suspicious about Ironmonger's action to test. Also, 'tested' is not the correct word with regard to Gilbert, either. People took photos of him, and at least one paper arranged a series of films (which almost certainly don't survive, more's the pity); Ron Halcombe also underwent this sort of informal arrangement. Certainly anything Gilbert had to do was nothing like what Harold Rhodes went through.
How do you know? It's very easy for me to put the shoe on the other foot and say that you're the one making assumptions.
There are a fair few conventional reports that indicate there were a lot of questions surrounding his action. In fact, Bill Woodfull was told by the ACB that he could choose anyone he liked to take with him to England, apart from Ironmonger due to the throwing allegations, as the Australian body at the time was unwilling to upset the MCC ahead of the tour.
We don't "know" for sure but from all accounts it's very likely that Gilbert had a much more suspicious action. I mean just have a look at the last few posts here from a few guys who know more than both of us.
It's working backwards and assuming that it must be a racist conspiracy first and anything else second. Could've gone to my university.
Did you miss my earlier post outlining all of the racial troubles plaguing Australian sport at the time? What I'm saying isn't coming out of nowhere.
I know, as I posted earlier it was the ACB which mandated who he could & could select. Woodfull was obviously allowed to nominate his preferences, but the ACB had the final say. The ACB said no to Ironmonger on the grounds of staying on good terms with the almighty MCC.
Hardly a conspiracy considering the overt racism of the day. Keep in mind that Indigenous people weren't even allowed to vote in Australian elections until 1962.
If they had those discussions, and I haven't heard about them, it would have been with the then captain Ryder who was on the panel. Only after Ryder was outvoted for a place by his two co selectors did Woodfull become captain. Woodfull was never in a position to nominate any of his preferences before the squad was announced.
The tour in question was the 1930 tour (post-Ryder). As Ken Piesse wrote "Australia’s captain Bill Woodfull wanted him to reinforce his 1930 Ashes party but the conservative nature of officialdom meant old Bert was never given the call."
Now that's a strong top order!
That can't be. The selectors Dolling, Jones and Ryder were given the job in 1929 for the sole purpose of picking the 1930 team. Ryder was the captain right up to the announcement of the squad. When he was outvoted the position only then fell to Woodfull. So it was impossible for Woodfull to have any opinion on the side's composition before it was selected. I haven't heard of any subsequent lobbying by Woodfull but even if he did he would have been told the squad is picked and we can only budget for the 15 or so selected. In any case reasons for Ironmonger's non selection were never stated. It could be said that Ron Oxenham was just as unlucky and he was a more versatile cricketer than Ironmonger. If either toured Australia's victory would have been even more conclusive. Imo.
Ryder was Australian captain & selector up until the 1929/30 season. I don't think he was outvoted & then the ACB announced the 1930 Ashes squad the very next day. Plenty of time passed between the two events it would seem. The quote I posted is an except from Ironmonger's biography.
It can't be right. Ryder was on the panel because he was the current captain. But he failed to make the squad so one of his last duties would have been to pick the squad's captain. I know its the 1930s but I'm sure technology was sufficiently advanced to get the names out to press the next day or shortly afterwards. Besides the squad was selected before Woodfull knew he was in the side, let alone captain. So I can't see how he could have done any lobbying beforehand or to believe he had such influence after just being appointed to lobby for anyone afterwards.
actually he played a lot of his state cricket for WA as a specialist bat, often as opener
Seems like you really to want it to be racism, more than anything else and I don't get why. It may not be coming completely out of nowhere but it is still a big stretch.
He was so good with the bat in his last season. I may be remembering wrong but I think he was averaging 80-odd for most of the year.
