“THE ASHES”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 51, 23 November 1928, Page 11

“THE ASHES”

CAN THE KANGAROO DETHRONE THE LION? PROSPECTS FOR FIRST TEST (Notes by “Burwood.”) No trials of strength on the athletic fields create such burning interest as do the periodical struggles for cricket supremacy between England and Australia. Cricket is unquestionably the British national game, and the fights for “The Ashes” regularly arouse phenomenal interest not only in England and Australia, but throughout the entire British Empire. To show what keen interest the public take in the Test matches, it need only be said that 239,175 attended the Test game at Melbourne in the 1924-5 season, which lasted seven days, while 103,000 paid for admission to the Oval in 1926 in four days. The Englishmen are once again’ in Australia, and the fights for the “Ashes” will commence at Brisbane on the last dav of the present month. The first Test match between England and Australia was played at Melbourne away back in the 1876-7 season, when Australia won an exciting game by 45 runs. Since then, 114 Test matches have been played between the two countries, of which Australia has won 47 and England 42, leaving 25 games drawn. The series of matches to be played this season will prove more than interesting by reason of the fact that England are the champions, and the Australians will naturally strain every nerve to regain the cricket supremacy of the world, which they lost to England at Kensington Oval in 1926. Experience Tells. The Australian selectors in making their choice for the first Test have pinned their faith to experience, and have certainly marshalled a very solid side. Some surprise has been expressed at the choice of Jack Ryder, of Victoria, to lead the Australian side, but in this the selectors have shown wisdom, as Ryder has had much more experience of Test match play than either Woodfull. Kippax, or V. Y. Richardson, the leaders of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia respectively. Victor Richardson is unlucky in missing a place, after his brilliant double century for South Australia against the Englishmen. The South Australian captain did well when given a chance'in the Test games in the 1924-5 season, as in three matches he scored 210 runs, including 138 at Melbourne. Richardson, however, is inclined to take risks, and no doubt the selectors have preferred men of sounder methods.

It was sound judgment on the selectors’ part to include Jack Ryder, as the Victorian has performed consistently for Australia over a number of years. In all he has played 18 innings in Test games, for an aggregate of 568 runs, and an average of 37.86 per innings. His best score was the 201 not out he hit up at Adelaide in 1924-25. With the ball he lias not been so successful, as _he has only captured eight wickets for 450 runs, an average of 56.25 per wicket. Another tried performer who should strengthen the Australian eleven is that able all-rounder, Charlie Kelieway, of New South Wales. Possessing a rocklike defence, Kelleway has played 29 innings in Test games to date for 866 runs, with an average of 32.07. His best score was the 147 he ran up at Adelaide in the 1920-21 season, with the ball, he has captured 37 wickets for 1078 runs, an average of 29.13. The selectors have done wisely to include H. Ironmonger, the Victorian lefthand bowler, in the Australian team. This trundler has done outstanding work with the ball for Victoria for many seasons past, and his right to national honours was long overdue. Against New South Wales. Ironmonger has taken 40 wickets for 1392 runs; against South Australia 40 wickets for 867; and against Queensland, eleven wickets for 261 runs. That gifted stripling, D. J. Bradman, of New South Wales, fairly batted his way into the Australian eleven by his sterling displays against the Englishmen and against Queensland. Another new man on the Australian side who has thoroughly earned his place is R. K. Oxenham, of Queensland. This fine all-round player is worth, his. place in any Australian eleven, and it will not be at all surprising if he docs not prove the most successful bowler on the side. With batsmen sucli as Ponsford, Woodfull, Kippax, Bradman, Kelleway. Gregory, Oxenham, Oldfield. Ryder, and Grimmett to deal with, the English bowlers should have a formidable task in front of them, but in Tate. Larwood, Geary, Hammond, White, and Freeman, the Englishmen have, a stronger bowling string than they have' probably ever sent to Australia, not forgetting Lohmann. Brockwell, Barnes, Foster, Peel, or Brauncl. The English batting is quite as strong as the Australian. What a world of digging out Hobbs. Sutcliffe. Chapman Jardine, Hammond. Tyldesley. Mead. Tate. Larwood, and Geary will take when they are playing for Keeps. Some phenomenally heavy scoring should be witnessed in the first Test at Brisbane. It will be a regular Marathon.

STAPLES RETURNING TO ENGLAND By Telegraph. —Press Association. Sydney, November 21. Tlie English cricketer, S. J. Staples, is returning to England by the Ormonde on Tuesday, owing to ill-health, without having bowled a ball against the Australians. (Australian Press Association.) London, November 21. The M.C.C. officials have not received a request to send a player to replace Staples, but Jupp states that he is folding himself in readiness. / THE QUEENSLAND MATCH OXENHAM REFUSES TO PLAY. Brisbane, November 22. Oxenham, tlie Queensland representative in the Test team, has refused to play for Queensland against England on the grounds that he desires to be fresh and fit for the Test the following week. The State selectors decline to accept his refusal and are. taking steps to compel Oxenham to play. M.C.C. TEAM’S AVERAGES (By “Burwood.”) When the Englishmen left Sydney for Brisbane their batting and bowllug aver-

ages were: — BATTING. I. N.O. W. II. Hammond .. 3 0 E. P. Hendren 4 0 p. R. Jardine 5 I’ J. B. Hobbs 5 1 A. P. F. Chapman .. 4 0 C. P. Mead 7 3 TT Qirf-nl iffo 0 0 H.S. R. 225 3S4 107 3111 140 372 (17* 26(1 145 25S 5S* 218 70 314 Av. 128.00 90.25 74.40 66.50 64.50 54.50 52.33 M. Leyland .. H. Larwood .. M W Tnte .. 0 2 3 0 3 1 114 1S7 79 135 59 81 46.75 45.00 40.50 g TvMpslev .. 5 0 (19 165 33.00 2 0 36 01 30.50 3 1 33 48 21.00 A. P. Freeman G. Puckworth J. C. White .. 2 1 11’ 17 17.00 3 2 5 2 •Not out. 4‘ J? 8.00 7.33 BOWLING. J. C. White ... yj \V Tn t c* Wkts. 12 11 Runs. 334 312 Av. 27.83 28.36 H. Larwood .. 13 387 162 29.76 32.40 D. R. Jardine 1 38 38.00 10 422 42.20 W. R. Hammond .... T.nvrlanrl •’ 286 217 57.20 72.33 0 11 ■ H. Sutcliffe ■ • • E. P, Hendren 2 18 fil