MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9862, 11 March 1896, Page 5

MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

THE PROPOSED CHANGES. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, March 10. At a meeting of the team last night the proposed changes were' discussed. The v argumeuts were long and heated. It was pretty genorally admitted that Johns would be unable to aland the hard work of the tour and hid hands would breakup under Jones's aud Eady's fast bowiing. vVhiist sympa-r thising with Johns the majority thought that iv the interests of the g&me he might give way to Kelly without loss of dignity. Johns considered that he was treated somewhat unfairly in having the change spruug ou him at the eleventh hour. He had made cartuia business arrangements, and he would have to adhere to them. In the interest of the game he might resign, but he was not at liberty to do so till he had consuited others who were equally interested with him. In Harry's case the fact that he injured his knee during the recent intercolonial match had great weight with the meeting. Though the injury was not serious it was of a nature to need careful attention, and it wai thought unsafe for him to iace the strain of a tour. It was ! unanimously decided that Hill should replace him. Besides being a splendid bat, it was argued that the Adelaide player could be relied upon as a second wicketkeeper. The question of the fourteenth man was then discussed, the feeling generally favouring Turner. Subsequently a meeting of the Selection Committee was held,Jand, chough nothing is known officially of the result, it is generally understood that tne Committee adopted those changes, and will recommend them to the Cricket Council.The alterations are vary popular, and the generalfeelingiß that they will greatly strengthen the team. Later. It has now been decided to take fifteen men to England, including Johns ; Harry, therefore, is the only man to be excluded. He refuses to accept the decision to leave him out, and states that he has gone to & lot of expense in preparing for the trip as well as throwing up hi« situation. He insists upon being included in the team.