“Bright Cricket ” Promises Were Not Fulfilled

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30062, 21 February 1963, Page 16

“Bright Cricket ” Promises Were Not Fulfilled

I Specially written tor the N-2.P.A. by W J. O’REILLY}

SYDNEY, February 20.

A drawn match is always a disappointing result for spectators who take the trouble to follow the events of what is supposed to be the deciding test match. But it is fair to say summary justice was done, each of the teams taking part being denied victory.

In this series of tests England and Australia have been so closely matched in skill, technique and leadership that an evenly divided share in the honours was the only suitable outcome to what must go down as one of the least interesting series we have seen in this country for many years. .

It to arrange now to remember to art the series began in a welter of promtoes from two opposing captains that a careful eye to spectator interest was certain to be observed The term ‘‘brighter cricket" was bandied about so much that moot people who have never had the privilege of playing to a test match between England and Australia looked forward to some startling tactics which were likely to make teat match history Those of us who bed been through the mill know that no captain has ever been courageous enough to take an ill-considered risk in matches which have taken on such tremendous national importance I pity the first one who does. “Only A Game”

The ok! saying that cricket is “only a game" to, strange to say, a hackneyed phrase with those who are quickest to criticise any sign of laxity or Carelessness in the approach to a test match

The players themselves know full well that their job is to win So long as the tactics are fair and above board nothing else to barred in carrying out the purpose All this applied again, regardless of pious hopes and maxims spread about last October

To emphasise the uselessness of unnecessary talk on the subject tots series turned out to be one of toe least bright we have known England’s team was rather badly chosen The selectors made a fundamental mistake when thev thought they could get away with only seven recognised batsmen When so small a number of reliable batsmen make a long tour it to imperative they all find form quickly and maintain it throughout.

Young Parfitt, toe batsman about whom England had highest possible hopes after bis string of test successes against Paktoten last season, was toe greatest disappoint-

ment, and his failure placed a great strain on the resources of the side. England’s batting generally never quite lived up to the promises it made in some early matches. Never Quite Made It Dexter started the season so well we thought he was going to play a sensational part in the serief. His form then suggested he would leave in Australia a reputation comparable with Walter Hammond in 1928. But Dexter never quite made it. We know he to a gifted batsman, capable of winning a test with aggressive tactics guaranteed to annihilate the beet of bowling attacks But we have not once seen him do it. Consequently there is a general feeling of deep disappointment about bun. Some of us are thinking that captaincy responsibilities might fit more comfortably m somebody else’s shoulders Obviously his batting temperament cannot blossom under hto own leadership As a captain Dexter has never shown great ability as a thoughtful leader of men His handling of critical situations has never been forthright enough to win laurels in this

department. He has given the impression many times that he places far too much importance on theories to his team’s disadvantage To give one glaring example of this, still fresh in our memories, look what he did today when the Australian ba'.smen showed every ominous sign of being well on the run. With four batsmen out for 70. David Allen was bowling like a man inspired by the sight of victory

Anaemic Leg-Breaks Instead of sending Titmus into the attack to embarrass the Australians wholeheartedly Dexter brought on Barrington and later Graveney to bowl up a run of anaemic leg-breaks which took the pressure off Lawry and Burge and settled England’s chances of a win. I presume that move followed some theory that you must not have two bowlers of the same type going at the same time in case you groove the batsmen into such a Jtate of caution that they will risk nothing at all

You can Imagine how much regard I myself have for that theory when most of my early successes tn test cricket were done in partnership with the magnificent legbreaker Clarrie Grimmett

England's bowling attack carried out its responsibilities particularly well. Trueman did some excellent jobs of work, especially in Melbourne, and Statham sup-.

ported him ably. The two spinners, Titmus and Allen, were much more reliable than Australia’s. Their work this final test was so painstakingly done that any Australian anxious about the future of the game in Australia would recognise that immediate attention to the job of finding off spinners to Imperative.

Nostalgic memories of the West Indies tour are certain to be recalled at the close of this disappointing season. We will remember that in summing up of that tour Australia, rather generously, I believe, was given an equal share of the kudos tor a memorable season which did such a magnificent missionary work for the game. Blame Shared Australia must be given an equal share of the blame tor the dismal failure of this series as public entertainment. As they look back over the series which promised so much *in the early stages local cricket authorities might well decide that most of the great benefit arising from that magrfificent West Indies tour has been cancelled out. Our Australian team performed disappointingly on so many occasions that the time seems to have come for a general stocktaking of all our resources and machinery methods which govern the development of the game in Australia. Our selection methods throughout the whole cricket set-up from club cricket onward—need some close examination and realignment.