A CHANGE IN CAPTAINCY?

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21974, 24 December 1936, Page 11

A CHANGE IN CAPTAINCY?

HOBBS MAKES A ! SUGGESTION RESPECT FOR AUSTRALIANS [By J. B. HOBBS. Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.] (Received December 24, 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 23. "Well, we are two up in the tests, but let us not get too cocky about it. I can still visualise us losing the toss in some of the remaining tests, and Australia getting 500 or 600 runs. The Australians undoubtedly had their troubles and their men did not play as well as we thought they would. With Brown and Badcock back anc. fit, Australia's batting at Melbourne will be strengthened. "Still, as the cricket panned out, England was superior, and deserved the two victories. Every man, from the skipper down, did his bit adequately, but, let me say, the team is not as well balanced as it should be, because one or two batsmen have not struck their true form. We may take it that Australia will be a formidable combination in the next three tests. We shall not often get their last five wickets for 15 runs. "There was a time on Tuesday when we faced the possibility of having to go in again and make a substantial score on a wet wicket. I don't think we ought to run that risk again. Allen must have been grateful to Voce and Hammond for dispelling his fears. "The Australians, I must confess, are not so strong as I had been led to believe, and I am convinced they are not able to make many changes for the better. I suggest, however, that they would gain strength if Vic Richardson were made skipper. That may sound hard on Bradman, yet I do not imply that he is not a good captain. People tell me Bradman is not playing as well as formerly. He is not the carefree Bradman I knew on my former visit. Richardson appeals to me as the man with the right personality for holding the team together, like Jardine and Fender."