Test Cricket

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30064, 23 February 1963, Page 10

Test Cricket

Although the test series in Australia ended rather dismally the large attendances at the matches and the widespread interest shown by newspaper readers, radio listeners, and television viewers in many parts of the world testify- to the continued vigour of this sporting institution. Interest is unlikely to wane while the teams are so evenly matched and the national rivalry so keen. Nevertheless, those concerned for absolute standards—especially those who cannot forbear to make comparisons with bygone days—will find plenty to criticise in the performances of the M.C.C. and Australian teams. Ebullient promises from both sides of brighter and more attacking cricket were not redeemed; it was the familiar tense, give-nothing-away England-Australia test cricket with little perceptible change except in the personnel of the teams. In cricket, as in most sports, the result is nowadays too important to both players and spectators to permit a quixotic taking of risks. Yet test cricket, however dour, continues to exercise its fascination even when it lacks great figures comparable with Bradman, Hammond, and giants of the earlier days; and there were some performances in this series for which the connoisseurs could be grateful.

If some find it a little unsatisfactory that the “ Ashes ” are retained by the holder (Australia on this occasion) after a drawn series, the course of these five matches certainly provides a warning against repeating earlier efforts to obtain positive- results by playing all matches to a finish or playing the final test to a finish. The prolongation of the final match to six, seven, or more days of tactical, defensive batting and bowling might have been a more serious blow to the standing of test cricket than a whole series of time-limit draws. New Zealanders are rightly modest about their own cricket, which is possibly one reason why their interest in England-Austra-lia tests often surpasses their interest in the domestic game. Enthusiasts in this country count themselves fortunate when the M.C.C. is able, as it is this season, to include a brief programme of matches jn New Zealand in the strenuous itinerary of its representative side. The test series beginning at Auckland today may seem something of an anti-climax after the solemn battles of the last few weeks; but New Zealand cricketers and cricket followers will be none the less grateful for these close contacts with the contemporary giants of the game.