TEST MATCH AT HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16, 20 January 1926, Page 7

TEST MATCH AT HOME.

WILL IT BE AT WEMBLEY T A CROWD OF 100,000. LONDON". January 5. The suggestion by Lieut-General F. S. Jackson, M.P., a former .captain of Ensland, that the Wembley Stadium should be used for cricket next summer, was made in connection with the grave problem of how to accommodate the great test match crowds. It is pointed out that the Stadium, it taxed to its uppermost capacity, would hold upwards of 100,000, and would certainly be required if the ashes. . depend on the result of the final test. -which is scheduled to begin at the Oval on August 14, and, if necessary, is to he fought" to a finish. It will be played during the August holidays, when London is filled with visitors, and whether the existing arrangements are extensive enough is considered doubtful. The fact that three of the tests will clash with important sporting events is likely to only slightly relieve the pressure. The final day of the first test coincides with the opening of the Ascot race meeting, the second test with the Wimbledon tennis championships, and the fourth test with the Goodwood race meeting..

The Marylebone Cricket Club, in a desperate effort tfi cope with the situation, is spending £50,000 on a new stand to accommodate an additional 3500 spectators at Lord's, where 10,000 people were locked out in 1921. The Trent Bridge ground a Nottingham holds a. paltry 22,000 for the whole of the Midlands to see the first test, while the Old Trafford ground at Manchester nas a 40,000 lmit for the Lancashire and Yorkshire fans to see the third test. It is suggested that a minimum three shillings admission charge would limit the crowds at the various centres. Members of the county clubs, it is expected, will have first claim on the tickets. The ''Evening News,' , commenting on the cabled reports of Australian criticism of the ages of members of the Australian eleven, says: "It is not. a question of any great moment. The team seems fully capable of upholding the tradition of perfect fitness. The Australians' determined fighting spirit, as opposed to the Englishmen's somewhat lackadaisical efforts, has been a big factor in the tests of the last five years. Supposing, for the purpose of comparison, the Englis hteam comprises Hul'lis, Vi'uolley. Holmes. Hendren. SutrlitTf. Ciirr. Tate. Lilley. Macau lay, Sr..-. .>:;? and Hammond, nl-n dropping Mai ley from the 12 Australians chosen, the average ages of England and Australia arc respectively ."52 and 33 yearslittle difference. "Cricketers nowadays are rarely at full strength before 30. The youth-! slight advantage of faster fielding'hanily compensates for the absence of the older player's maturer judgment. " The Australians are coming with knowledge earned in 1921. They are a great, practically unbeaten side, "fighters every one. Once they get their teeth into a game they never let go. England's work is cut out to beat them, especially if they bring their own weather with them "