ONCE AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 7

ONCE AGAIN.

TEST CRICKET.

Prospects of Second Trial of

Strength.

THE MATCH AT LORD'S.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph-Copyright)

(Received 10 a.m.)

LONDON, June 20.

D. Bradman, the Australian batsman, left the nursing home, at which he had been for two days, and his fitness for the Test match on Friday is assured. Grimniett, the slow bowler, is suffering from an injured ankle received while fielding in the Nottingham match, but the effects of which did not appear until ho took part in the game against The Gentlemen. There were some doubt as to his taking part in the second Test match, but his ankle has improved, and he is now sure to play. Ponsford has a severe influenzal cold and has been abed since Monday. If sufficiently strong he will practise tomorrow, when a decision will be made whether or not he is fit for the lest, but at present it is doubtful if he can play. The "Sketch" states that A. R. Gover (Surrey) has also been invited to attend at Lord's. The critics generally are with the chosen 13 and with Wyatt's inclusion. Some urge that three fast bowlers should bo played. D. K. Jardine, writing in the "Evening Standard," says: "Without Larwood I cannot imagine any tendency to overrate our chances against Woodfull's very workmanlike team. We may have seen the best of Australia's bowling, but I doubt if we have seen the best of lier batting." The "Daily Mail" says: "The selectors have done their work well. They have learned the obvious lesson that more fast bowling is required. The issue may well depend upon who wins the toss." "The Times" cricket writer says: "It is not an injustice to Walters to say that Wyatt's captaincy will be a great advantage, because of his greater knowledge of the Australians and their habits. If the English players only discard some of the hesitancy they showed at Nottingham, we. can beat the Australians." Assuming that Wyatt is fit to do himself justice, states the "Sketch," England's team is stronger than that of the first Test in batting, but unless Fames and Bowes play, which seems probable in view of the agitation for strengthening the speed attack, the bowling is not much stronger. On his Australian form Bowes would not greatly trouble Australia, but he is a different proposition on English wickets. There is some question of Nichols' fitness. It is a sign of the selectors' recognition of the need for more aggressive batting that Barnett, a strong forcing player, has been included in the 13. There have been numerous advocates of the recall of Woolley, but on the whole the selectors have done well in refusing to be stampeded into making sweeping changes.

RECORD AT LORD'S.

AUSTRALIA'S ASCENDANCY,

In the last series of Test matches in England—in 1930—England won the opening game at Nottingham and Australia the second game at Lord's. The game at Lord's was characterised chiefly by Australia's huge score of 729 for six (Woodfull 155 and Bradman 254) in the first innings and Grimmctt's dogged bowling in the second innings to get six wickets for 167 runs by persuading the batsmen to keep hitting and thus getting themselves out, and Australia overcome the time element to win with an hour's playing time to spare. England made 425 anil 375, Australia 729 for six (declared) and 72 for three, winning by seven wickets. ' Altogether 14 Test matches between England and Australia have been played at Lord's. England has won four, Australia five, and four have been drawn. England's last win on this historic ground dates as far back as 1890, sincc when Australia has won four times, and four of the matches have been drawn. So Lord's can hardly be regarded as a lucky ground for England.

Gover, the Surrey man wlio is mentioned as being added to tlie reserves, making up 14 as the number from whom the English team will be selected, is 11 fast bowler who has never been outstanding, though he took five (including Bradman and Chipperfieid) for 147 in the recent Surrey v. Australia match.

The inclusion of Wyatt as captain will undoubtedly strengthen England's batting, and with him replacing Pataudi, it looks like a choice between Barnett and Nichols for the final place vacated by Mitchell, the slow bowler, with preference for Nichols as a sound fast bowler as well as a strong batsman. Barnett is a hard-hitting batsman, and bowls a spill ball occasionally in county games.