AFTER THE TEST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18268, 30 December 1924, Page 7

AFTER THE TEST.

THE CAPTAINS SUM UP.

GILLIGAN STILL CONFIDENT.

V »T CABLE—FIUSB ASSOCIATION— COtTAOWt) tACSTBALIAX AND X.X. CABLB ASSOCIATION)

SYDNEY, December 29.

Gilligan states that he is confident regarding the remaining Tests, as ho has no doubt that the Englishmen had tho greater share of the bad luck throughout the match. The- English batting did not come, up to expectations, he added, but he was unablo to account for the failure. Ho was well satisfied with tho bowling, and more satisfied with tho team's fielding. Collins said that the Australians' superiority was not so great, and it looks as if there must be a tighteningup, especially in tho fielding, if Australia is to retain the ashes.

Tho -'Sydney Morning Herald," commenting on the match, says that tho excellence of Freeman's form was as unexpected a s it was gratifying, especially to his comrades. Tho little ''bosic" bowler gave an exhibition of plucky endeavour, during which he displayed a very correct defence, even against tho intricacies of Mailey'sbowling. He deserved every run of his 50 not out with which he retired at the close of the innings, one of tho highest scores in his career. 'Woolley's innings was a model one, almost devoid of defensive play, since the batsman, not th© bowler, was the attacking party. This feat of Woolley's represented the sixth indivividual century scoro of tho match, and is the second occasion on which the brilliant left-hander has reached three figures in Test cricket. That little far* is worth notice, because left-handed centuries are rarities among English barsmen, C. Mead being tho only other lefthander to make a century for Tingland in a Tost against Australia. England's wonderful achievement of scoring 411 in tho last innings established a now record in Test cricket, tho previous highest being 370. To got so many runs in tho fourth innings of a Test match running into the seventh day from commencement, of play, on a wicket on which 1200 runs had already been made, was a really remarkable performance, and provided a stimulating compensation for the beaten side.

THE LESSON LEARNT. (austealiak akd n.z. cable association) LONDON, December 28. Haiving taken for granted "that Australia would win. the first Test, the newspapers have been discussing remedies.

Tho "Daily Express" editorially says: "Tho lesson is that we cannot win by batting alone. Gilligan will hardly venture again to take the field minus Douglas, Kilner, or Tyldesley. The doubt held before sailing concerning the adequacy of tho team's bowling is unshaken by this rather thrilling, if disappointing, contest." ' The "Daily Herald" emphasises the need for including DongTas and Kilner, who are also good, batsmen.

"NEVER IN REAL DOUBT." ("THE TIKES.") LONDON, December 2&. Commenting on the Test match, the cricket expert of "Tho Times" says that tho result was never in real doubt, since the Australians always held a commanding lead. He admits that in the circumstances England accomplished a great feat in making 411, but there is no disguising the severity of tSb defeat. Tho cause is plain for everyone to see. England's batting, though in individual cases superb, was dreadfully uneven, whereas that of tho Australians was consistency itself.