THE EXTRA TESTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 14, 16 July 1931, Page 13

THE EXTRA TESTS

ENGLAND'S PROBLEMS

In arranging ;the New Zealauders' itinerary tho M.C.C. made provision for only one Test match. That was played —and drawn. —at Lord's, England, with five leading batsmen out for 146, still requiring 94 to win. Tho decision to allot two extra Test matches is a compliment to the visitors', prowess, and will be welcomed in Australia, where, in some quarters, a more frequent exchange of visits with the Dominion has long been advocated (states the"Sydney Morning Herald").

The new fixtures will begin on the 29th July and the 15th August. They will displace matches against two leading counties—Surrey and Lancashire. Unless a further rearrangement of the programme is made, tho second Tost will be confined to threo days, for on Ist August New Zealand is due to meet Glamorgan. It is possible, however, that the. third Test may bo decisive. The original itinerary would not need to bo altered. to permit of rour days' play, for it provided for. a two-days' match against a minor county, not to begin until 20th August.

Tho other aspect; of tnc M.C.C.'s docision is tho exposure of England's concern regarding its Test eleven. It was expressed in the result of last week's match, when Peebles proved the spearhead of an attack, tho shaft of which was, to the selectors, disappointingly brittle.

England is having its problems of reconstruction, and English critics are helping to solve them. Mr. Neville Cardus, the most charming of all writers on the summer game, "cannot see at the moment," according to latest English files, "how English cricket is going to hold its own on the next Australian trip.' A new England eleven has to be put together—and," ho asks, "where are the men to follow Hobbs, Tate, Woolley, and Hendren1?"

In this respect he is anxious about the batting. The two additional Tests will serve the season's finds—Bakewell and Arnold —with experience. Granted their advance to the standard required in Tests, they should form, with Hammond, Duleopsinhji, the reliable Sut-

cliffe, and perhaps, Jardine, who is now in,high favour, the nucleus of a satisfactory run-getting combination. ■England's qualms, however, seem to relate much more to bowling. Where, one might ask, are the men to replace Tatp and liarwood, and will new men be found to attain on Australian pitches tho accuracy and persistence of White and Geary of Chapman's last eleven? It is possible that in tho remaining Tests iigainst the troublesome New Zealanders other bowlers than Allen, Voce, and Robins will be tried.

While tho English selectors are raking their plentiful, fields for bowlers, it must not be forgotten that Australia is engaged in tho same quest. England hopes to help herself from the New Zealand clashes, as wje will seek constructional aid through tao South African