 In December 1913 , Crawford wrote to the South Australian Cricket Association ( SACA ) asking for a six @-@ month leave of absence and a guaranteed renewal of his contract . The SACA described his letter as " arrogant " before eventually granting his request and offering him a three @-@ year contract worth around £ 300 per year , including coaching fees . In effect , he wanted to double his salary or leave to seek a position in New Zealand . Describing these events , Hart comments : " Crawford 's financial dealings with the SACA reveal him both as mercenary and as an awkward ' cuss ' . The latter aspect of his personality needs to be taken into account lest he be considered merely an establishment victim in his parting with Surrey " . On the field , Crawford was successful in 1913 – 14 . He took 34 wickets , and against New South Wales he hit 91 in 89 minutes before taking 10 wickets ; against Victoria he took eleven wickets . This latter match was his last for South Australia . Later in 1914 , Crawford toured New Zealand with an Australian team — assembled without the approval of the Australian Board of Control — which contained many leading players , under the captaincy of the former Canterbury batsman Arthur Sims . In first @-@ class games on this tour Crawford took 21 wickets and scored a century , but his most notable innings came in a minor match . Against the " XV of South Canterbury " , he scored 354 in five @-@ and @-@ a @-@ quarter hours , striking 14 sixes and 45 fours . He and Victor Trumper shared a partnership of 298 in 69 minutes , and Monty Noble helped him to score 50 runs in 9 minutes as the Australian team scored 922 for nine . 
