CRACKS OF THE COURT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 260, 2 November 1928, Page 5

CRACKS OF THE COURT.

TENNIS TOURISTS PRACTISE.

FAMOUS ENGLISH PLAYERS IMPRESS. EXPONENTS OF HARD HITTING. PREPARATIONS FOR TO-MORROW'S TEST. Although they have come without a fanfare of trumpets, the visit of the British lawn tennis team to New Zealand has caused wide interest, and a big gallery of spectators is expected at the Stanley Street courts to-morrow afternoon, when the Test match against the New Zealand representatives will be played. The games will be continued on Monday. Yesterday the visitors sampled the local courts, and all were enthusiastic about their playing surface. The Stanley Street courts are in excellent condition just now, and both the British and New Zealand teams had some useful practice. There were a few enthusiasts present to watch the play. Austin, the Stylist. Judging on the form shown by both teams yesterday, it would seem that the tourists will win the Test. They arc very nearly at the toy of their form now, while the New Zealanders, at this early stage of the season, have not settled down to true form. The visitors played some sound and at times brilliant tennis during the practice, all hitting hard and accurately. Austin is the stylist. Of that there is no doubt. He has a nice variety of strokes and a beautifully free style." He plays the all-court game, stronger perhaps on the backhand than on the forehand, though there is little difference between them. Austin plays a fast attacking game, driving deep to the corners and coming into the net to finish off. He is twenty-two years old. It would have been interesting to see how C. E. Malf roy, the Wellington colt, would have fared against England's hope. It is unfortunate that Malfroy was not allowed to play because of a recent, operation to his throat. Austin practiced against Collins yesterday, and the pair played some sparkling tennis. Collins is the Scottish champion and plays an attractive all-court game. Gregory, the captain, and Higgs did some hard hitting on the next court, playing a base-line game mostly. They drove on either hand beautiful length balls down the side lines, varying their play cleverly by almost unplayable angle shots when they came into the net. They both serve with considerable force. Gregory seemed to be the more attractive of the two, playing with plenty of dash. Higgs did not show the form of the other three, often driving out, but more often playing a poor-length ball. He would certainly be a dangerous man when at the top of his form. Higgs has always been one of England's mainstays. There was some sparkling doubles play after the singles. The New Zealanders. Wilson and France and Ollivier and Bartleet practised with each other, but the only one to snow any real form was Ollivier. Wilson and France were making many errors. They did not seem to bother a great deal, and not at any stage did they go for their shots with the speed and agility which was a feature of the play of the British team. They seemed to content themselves with playing balls which came to meet them, not bothering to d" a great deal of running about. They were probably feeling tired after their train journey from Wellington. On the other hand, Ollivier and Bartleet settled down to serious practice. Ollivier was consistent, playing good stuff. Bartleet was inclined to be patchy, but he seemed to make every effort to strike true form, going for everything with clash and confidence. He was serving well, but Ollivier was whacking them back with beautifully-placed drives on either hand down the side lines. The Test match should produce some excellent tennis. Ollivier can always rise to the occasion, and one of Bartleet's greatest assets is the fact that he nearly always plays brilliantly on big occasions. Wilson is capable of big things and always plays a spectacular game, while France is noted for his consistent allround play. DRAW FOR THE TEST MATCH. BARTLEET TO PLAY AUSTIN ■ TO-MORROW. The draw for the Test match at Stanley Street courts to-morrow is: — 2 p.m. —Austin v. Bartleet; Higgs v. France. 3 p.m. —Gregory v. Ollivier; Collins v. Wilson. 4.15 p.m.—Austin and Gregory v. Bartleet and Wilson; Higgs and Collins v. Ollivier and France. Draw For Monday. 2 p.m.—Gregory v. Bartieet; Collins v. France. 3 p.m.—Austin v. Ollivier; Higgs v. Wilson. 4.15 p.m.—Higgs and Collins v. Bartleet and Wilson; Austin and Gregory v. Ollivier and France. The British team is staying at the Grand Hotel and the New Zealand team at Hotel Cargen.