BRITISH PRESS COMMENT

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27124, 21 August 1953, Page 6

BRITISH PRESS COMMENT

U ALL FOR THE GOOD OF CRICKET”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, August 19. British cricket writers today hail England’s victory at the Oval—but admit that Lindsay Hassett’s men made a tough fight of it. E. W. Swanton, in the “Daily Telegraph” says: “The margin of eight wickets was conclusive enough, but the result was not gained without a bitter fight between Edrich, May and Compton on the one side and Johnston, Lindwall and Miller, supported, as ever, magnificently on the field, on the other.

“It all took one back 27 years ago to the August evening when, for the first time since the first war, Australia’s colours were lowered in a test rubber and the crowd let themselves go as though a reproach had been wiped away. In 1926, it was universally said that the change in the tide would he all for the good of cricket in Australia. They had won three rubbers with consummate ease and the keen edge of competition was worn blunt.

“Exactly the same situation existed, so our Australian friends assure us, in their country today. Three rubbers have been won against England and now, after the warning jolt of the drawn series against Cneetham’s admirable young South Africans, it is established that the supremacy has passed to other hands. It will prove to be the spur that has been needed in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide, and one can almost savour the unholy relish with which the next M.C.C. side will be received in Perth. “The idea that the Australians were a weak side bears no close examination. Hassett had the finest fast bowler in the world and support that was adequate in quantity, if not as powerful as the old sides have been, on slow or spinning wickets. The fielding of this side has scarcely ever been surpassed and if the form of some of the more experienced batsmen has been erratic, it is not proper to give the chief credit to the English bowlers, and chiefly Bedser. Against the run of our county sides, Morris, Miller, Hole and the others nave looked fine enough batsmen and Harvey has been absolutely devastating.” “Tonic for Game” The “Daily Mail,” in a leading article, says: “This series has been a first-class tonic for the game. Millions of people—more than ever before—have been held spellbound. To be honest, there has been little to choose between the teams. Lindsay Hassett and his team have delighted us by their skill, even if they have frequently chilled our blood by their relentless opposition. In every way they have lived up to the greatest standards of their country’s cricket. They have made masses of new friends. Now no doubt, they are already setting their minds to the task of winning these Ashes back. We wish them good luck. And we warn them that they will have their work cut out.”

A former England captain, Wally Hammond, now living in Durban, said today that England’s test victory was “a well-deserved triumph that will provide an enormous boost for English cricket.”

He added: “Perhaps England can thank the Australians in that they relied more on pace than spin.” In Cape Town, Jack Cheetham, who captained the South African team which drew the test rubber in Australia last year, said: “England’s decisive victory will give cricket a fillip throughout the sporting world. Our congratulations to Hutton and his men. England scaled their own Everest—the Australian bogy.” Cheetham added thjtt England’s forthcoming tour of the West Indies would now be much more interesting.