Is It Cricket?

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 254, 10 July 1926, Page 15

Is It Cricket?

V S the popular Press going to destroy all that is best in the finest of II all English games? Already, while the Australian team is miles away I from these shores, articles from the pens of Australian players of the H past arc appearing daily in certain London papers criticising the probable English test elevens, eulogising the exceeding skill of their opponents, and predicting tliat they will retain the Ashes, says the “Church Thn.’S.” “The ‘prophet’ is, is seems to us, singularly' out of place on a cricket field. The game demands the best manly qualities. It lias a great tradition. This year’s contests are sure to be strenuous and exciting, and the authorities should make a forcible protest against the prejudging of the issue, and such criticism of the players as will induce self-consciousness and nervousness. They bring tile cricket pitch down to the level of the prize ring. Jack Hobbs, the Surrey cricketer, in the “Weekly Dispatch,” gives some strong criticisms, to, on this point. He writes, in the course of a lengthy contribution to that paper:— “I regret to see that the English Press is already manifesting a spirit of carping criticism in relation to the coming Test cricket matches, despite

appeals that have been made to reserve judgment until our players have had an opportunity to show what they can do in opposition to Australia's chosen. “I make no complaint of the articles of Australian players, permeated with a feeling of confidence that ‘The Ashes’ will be retained. That is to be expected and is entirely excusable from Australian players, past and present. I may add that it is an engaging Australian characteristic where cricket is concerned. “I refer more particularly to home critics, who are already pulling to pieces the English cricket eleven they think will be selected, and lauding to the skies the opponents they will have to meet. Such methods are not calculated to encourage the men who will represent us. “Their effects may be unfortunate in the case of any of our young players who are selected for the England Xl.s. The strain of these games is sufficiently severe without our young men having it impressed upon them that thev are battling against super-cricketers. . . . “Let me repeat that this Australian side is not a super-team, and that the Press is doing no service to English cricket if it disseminates any such iffi-a. When you come to the best men in cricket there is generally very little-m it between Australia and England. ’