ENGLAND'S CHANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 43, 20 February 1926, Page 9

ENGLAND'S CHANCE

IN THE TEST SERIES. THREE BIG FACTORS. KEEPING THE SIDE TOGETHER. {By Cable.-<Presa Association.—Copyright} (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. There is a discussion in "Wisden'a Almanack" as to England's Test prospects. Mr. C. S. Came, who succeeded llr. Sydney Pardon in the editorship, says: "Three things should improve our chances t (1) The Englishmen will not have to conserve their energies for a long drawn out struggle, but will be able to play the game natural to men accustomed to three-day matches; (2) the over will be six balls instead of eight, which the Englishmen in Australia ; found an additional tiresome strain;, (3) and perhaps the most important, is the support which will be available for Tate, who in Australia had not a colleague who could be relied upon to keep a length during a long spell of work. "Qur chances of regaining the ashes depend largely upon the intelligent choice of players. WeTiope that the authorities .will be hapily inspired in picking the selection committee. We hope for the appointment of men of firm purpose, who, having once decided upon an eleven, will not depart from it except for the strongest reasons, and will not allow their choice to be affected by players* momentary success or failure". By the time the Test trial game is played at Lords, early in June, cricketers will have had several weeks in which to show their form, and although there is the chance of some embarrassment by the defeat of England's eleven, the advantage derived from the side playing together ought to outweigh any risks.— (A. and N.Z.)