England Favoured To Retain Ashes

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27569, 28 January 1955, Page 6

England Favoured To Retain Ashes

IBV

W. J. O'REILLY]

(Rec. 8 pan.) SYDNEY, January 27. For the first time this season, England is regarded as the favourite for the fourth test before the match begin,. Australia's overwhelming defeat in the Melbourne debacle has dampened Australian optimism. But the odds are. not heavily in England’s favour. The Australian batting, weak as it was in Melbourne, can put up a much more enterprising show in Adelaide if the captain, lan Johnson, has the courage to give it a new lease of life with some manipulative arranging of the order. Favell or McDonald, whoever escapes the job of twelfth man, must be packed as far away from the boiler heat of the fast new ball attack as he can be put. Burke, an orthodox batsman, who has already survived the setback of being tipped out of the Australian team after having begun his test career with a splendid century against England in Adelaide four years ago, will not be likely to suffer temperamentally by being posted to the opening job with Morris. So much has happened to the morale ot both Favell and McDonald during the last 10 days that it would be contemptuous disregard for captaincy responsibilities to have either one face the first new ball Favell could crack the English attack right apart at No. 5. McDonald will perhaps be twelfth man.

Johnson must have no inhibitions in his Captaincy. He must not worry over what the selectors would like him to do. The time for currying favour is over. Australia needs his own intelligent, resourceful and doubly inspiring leadership in this match. The arrangement of the batting order will be one of the fields In which It can show up to the best advantage. Bedser’s Omission England has given Australia a new lease of life in continuing to omit Bedser from the attack. This looked certain to be the time that Bedser would have his trip to Coventry terminated so that he could come in and help England out of the difficulty it will have with that old "battleaxe” pitch in Adelaide. It is a shame to see Bedser drifting out of the game the way he is. This will be something that Hutton’s captaincy will have to answer for when history goes to Work on it.

Bedser was missing when England ran into so much trouble in the West

Indies last year. It seems that he is paying heavily for that* but fairminded admirers of his bowling genius, know that there will be a place for him in the archives even though many of his team-mates might miss a niche. England’s attack does not look inspiring for Adelaide’s irritating demands. What will happen if the Australian openers sail through Statham’s and Tyson’s opening attack unharmed? The experience at Brisbane will not yet have been forgotten by the two fast bowlers in spite of their flattering figures since. It is in this match that we will surely see the true worth of Appleyard and Wardle as bowling supports. I do not expect either to worry the Australian batsmen if Australia wins the toss. Their main value will lie in whatever fourth innings help they can wheedle oUt of the pitch. Teet for Spinners The Australian spinners will have plenty to do in this match. So far they have had an armchair ride. Bill Johnston, the utility man. will be looking for solid support from both Johnson and Benaud. Should either or both of these men bowl well, Australia’s chances of victory will be at a par with England’s. This will serve as the “acid test’’ for lan Johnson. Not only is his ability as a captain likely to be tested to the hilt, but the value of his Offspinning as a match winning support Will have all to do with the continuation of his test career.

In fielding, again Australia has a big advantage. The loss of Hole as a slip fieldsman will not be felt too heavily when men like Davidson, Archer, Favell, Miller and Benaud are there to be posted. Maddocks faces an unenviable task in standing in Langley’s shoes before an Adelaide crowd, but it is to be hoped that, the sporting Adelaide crowd remembers that Maddocks himself had nothing whatever to do with the selectors’ policy of putting him there and that he is just another good Australian wicket-keeper doing his utmost to win this vital match.

Australia’s bowling is weakened by the loss of Lindwall. Miller will have more to do with the new ball than usual, but happily Archer has shown splendidly improved form and can carry his responsibilities capably. England may have just the slight run of the odds, but if Australia can win the important toss and bat first, we can definitely square this account.