THE AUSTRALIANS

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18678, 29 April 1926, Page 9

THE AUSTRALIANS

CRITIC IMPRESSED. HARD TASK FOR ENGLAND. (bt cable—raws association—combioht.) (AtTBTB&LIXS AKT> X-t. CABLX IBBOCUTIOH.) LONDON, April 28. Colonel Philip Trevor, commenting on the Australian team's form, says:— "Macartney particularly impressed me. He bowled to seven or eiuht batsmen, none of whom emerged without making a slip of some kind. Naturally, G rimmet t was watched with interest, and gave an object-lesson in the value of longib combined with a judicious change of pace. The same remark applies to Mailey, who was extraordinarily steady. Indeed, I wished I could see a few bad balls by way of a change. "It struck die that Andrews was a bov ler who had to be reckoned with. 1 was altogether most favourably impressed with the reliability of the Australian bowlers. I cannot think Collins will have to overwork any of his team, and am convinced that England will have to earn their runs against tlic Australian bowling, backed up as it will be by splendid wicket-keeping and fielding."

TEAM AT PRACTICE. [Svdxev "Srs" Service.) LONDON. April 27. Grimiuett is still coughing. He indulged in his first practice at l>ord's to-day. The team, including Collins and Andrews, has settled down to serious work, each playing 10 minutes on matting over turf. Everett is keeping an exceptionally good length and is dead on the wicket. He twice bowled Woodfull. Critics were impressed with the power Richardson put behind his drives. All the players are fit except Collins, who is a trifle pale. They spent the remainder of a dull morning throwing the ball about.

PREPARATIONS FOR COUNTIES' MATCH. LONDON, April 27. Three hundred villagers of Holyport, whose rustic delights would be called far-fetched on any musical-comedy stage, are agog with the excitement of preparation to receive, in the oldest of Old-World settings, the cricketers from the newest continent. The meadow, which is hallowed by memories of bc-whiskered, top-hatted ancestors who played generations ago, is studded with marquees and tents, amidst which stands a barrel of cider. The pitch iB in excellent condition, and is well-drained after the, recent rain, though slower than the Australians are accustomed to. Fleets of buecß and chars-a-bancs have been organised to convey people from Maidenhead station, two and a half miles distant. THE FIRST TEAM. . LONDON, April 27. The following will ropresent Australia in tho Minor Counties match to be played on Wednesday:— H. L. Collins (captain), W. M. Woodfull, 0. 0. Macartney, W. H. Ponsford, J. M. Taylor, W. Bardsley, W. A. Oldfield, J.' M. Gregory, A. J. Richardson, J. Eyder, C. Y. Grimmett, S. C. Everett (twelfth man). NO PLAY BEFORE LUNCH. (Received April 28th, 11.10 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. In the match between the Australian and the Minor Countios there was no play before lunch.