SIXTEEN ENGLISH CRICKETERS CHOSEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 188, 10 August 1936, Page 7

SIXTEEN ENGLISH CRICKETERS CHOSEN.

TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

Second Wicket-keeper Yet

To Be Selected.

W. VOCE IS INCLUDED. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 9. The Marylebone Cricket Club lias announced that invitations have been issued to the following players for the tour to Australia: — E. R. T. Holmes (Surrey). K. Fames (Essex). C. J. Barnett (Gloucestershire). J. M. Sims (Middlesex). W. Voce (Notts). The name of the additional wicketkeeper will be announced later. The 11 originally selected were:— G. O. B. Allen (Middlesex), captain, R. W. V. Robins (Middlesex), W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire), M. Leyland (Yorkshire), H. Verity (Yorkshire), L. jB. Fishlock (Surrey), J. Hardstaff (Notts), G. Duckworth (Lancashire), T. S. W Wellington (Derbyshire), W. H. C'opson (Derbyshire), and A. E. Fagg (Kent). "The Times" cricket writer, commenting on the Marylebone players for Australia, says: "Generally speaking, it is surprising what a good side has been evolved from what seemed precious poor material earlier in the season. They certainly should do well. Fames and Voce are most welcome choices. They are men to stand up to hard work." "It is splendid to see Voce again in the England team," adds the writer, "and to feel that much of the unpleasant nonsense stirred up two years ago has been cleared up and forgotten. It is all the greater pity that his comrade in many great bowling performances is not included." The M.C.C. has made a statement regarding Larwood and Voce. "In the summer of 1935," the statement reads, "Larwood, Voce and Duckworth were approached by responsible officials regarding their attitude towards participating in representative cricket. Each stated that he did not desire to play in first-class cricket except for his county. The Board of Control selection committee have treated this decision confidentially, hoping that Voce and Larwood might alter their attitude. Meantime neither the Marylebone Club nor the selectors have been able to consider either player available for representative cricket. The Marylebone Club now has received an entirely satisfactory statement from Voce, who placed himself unreservedly at the disposal of the board and selection committees whenever his services are required. Therefore there is no objection to Voce being considered on his merits for any representative team." The "Daily Telegraph" cricket writer states that Larwood was not included owing to trouble with one of his feet. The English team to play India, in the third Test, at The Oval, next Saturday, is:—Allen, Robins, Hammond, Leyland, Verity, Fishlock, Hardstaff, Voce, Worthington, Fagg, and Sims.

The M.C.C. statement about Voce and "The Times" comment arise from a protest made by the Australian Board of Control against "bodyline bowling," as practised against Australians by Larwood and Voce when members of Jardine's English team were in Australia in the 1932-33 season. In the subsequent heated controversy, Duckworth, a wicket-keeper, became involved as a strong partisan of the two Notts fast bowlers. The M.C.C. statement throws the onus of Larwood's non-inclusion on,the bowler himself. Brief notes on the players:— G. O. B. Allen (Middlesex) —Born at Svdney, Australia. July 31, 1902. Captain of the side. Fast bowler and a good batsman. It. W. V. Robins (Middlesex) —Born June 3, 1900. Googly bowler and fair batsman. W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire)— Born June 19, 1903. Dashing bateinan, brilliant slip and change bowler. M. Leyland (Yorkshire) —Born July 20, 1900. Best left-handed batsman in the world; fine field and change bowler. Hedley Verity (Yorkshire) —Born May 18, 1905. Left-armed spin bowler and more than useful right-hand bat. Top of English bowling averages and up to last week was fourth in batting. L. B. Fishlock (Surrey)— Born January 2, 1907. Left-hand bateman, top of English averages. J. Hardstaff (Notts) —Born July 3, 1913. ( Solid batsman and splendid fielder. In New Zealand with M.C.C. team last season. G. Duckworth (Lancashire) —Born May 9, 1901. Wicket-keeper and a hard man to get out. T. S. Worthington (Derbyshire)— Born ■ August 21. 1905. All-round player; with Harold Gilligan's team in New Zealand 1929-30. W. H. Copson (Derbyshire) — Born , April 27, 1909. East bowler with late swerve and much pace off the pitch. Third in English averages to Verity and Larwood. A. E. Fagg (Kent) —Born .Tune 18, 1915. Strong opening batsman of defensive order, with fine range of strokes. Excellent wicket-keeper. E. R. T. Holmes (Surrey)— Born August 21, 1905. Batsman and change bowler. Captain of M.C.C. team in New Zealand last summer. K. Fames (Essex) —Born July 8, 1911. Fast bowler, who equalled the record in taking ten wickets on a first Test appearance against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1934. C. J. Barnett (Gloucestershire) —Born , July 3, 1910. Opening batsman and change bowler. J. M. Sims (Middlesex) —Born May 13, 1904. Spin bowler and useful batsman; was in New Zealand with last M.C.C. side. ' W. Voce (Notts) —Born August 8, 1909. i left-armed fast bowler; on Australian tour ! 1932-33. I Seventeen players, the same as in D. R. Jardine's team, are coming out. another 'keeper having to be chosen. Evidently 1 Fagg is to be used as opening batsman in the absence of Herbert Sutcliffe and R. 15. S. AVyatt. W. F. Price, opening batsman for Middlesex (born 1902), was the Southern wicket-keeper against North at Lord's in mid-June. The amateurs are Allen, Robins, Holmes and Fames. j The last English team to Australia comprised: D. R. Jardine, R. E. S. Wyatt, 1 G. 0. B. Allen, F. R. Brown, Nawab of Pr.taudi (amateurs), W. R. Hammond, H. Sutcliffe. M. L-yland. H. Verity, W. E. ! Bvwes, E. Paynter. G. Duckworth, L. E. , G. Ames, T. B. Mitchell, H. Larwood, i W. Voce, M. W. Tate. They won the , Test rubber bv fnur games to „ne, but Australia, on W. M. Woodfull's last tour I in 1934. regained tlie Ashes. Of the 134 , I I Tests played Australia has won 53, Eng-J 'land 52, while 29 have been drawm