CAN ENGLAND LEVEL UP ?

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 42, 19 February 1931, Page 10

CAN ENGLAND LEVEL UP ?

Chapman, by "declaring" in the fourth Test (England-South Africa), took a risk; and as the spirit of adventure is somewhat limited in Test cricket, his action may be variously viewed. Results show that England could have lost, and some will say that Chapman took an undue hazard. Others will hold the opinion that he only threw away one wicket (he "declared" with nine down) and that with the record of the first three Tests reading two draws and a South African win, his sporting decision in the fou.rth was a quite reasonable compromise between caution and adventure. It certainly helped to add sensation, and the net result is that England must win the remaining Test

or lose the rubber. In a classic snuggle like this fourth Test it is fitting that one of the oddities of cricket should be enacted—the creation of a six hit (instead of a^catch-out) through a fieldsman stopping a high ball in play and dropping it over the boundary. By scoring 126 and 306 to 193 and 211, South Africa emphatically won the first Test. The second was drawn in South Africa's favour (eight for 513 against 350 and nine for 252). ■ The third was drawn in England's favour (one wicket for 223 against 177 and 145 for eight). The fourth turned on Chapman!s "declaration" ; its result (a draw) gives about an equal division of honour. The result of the fifth will be—what? .