FIGHTS FOR THE ASHES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 14

FIGHTS FOR THE ASHES

English Team Leaves For Australia rpO the accompaniment of ringing cheers, "*■ the 17 members of the All England cricket team left Waterloo station, London, on Saturday, on their crusade to Australia, to endeavour to regain the mythical “ashes” of cricket. The team was accompanied by the manager and an army of newspaper re presentatives, several of whom are old players of renown, and in about six weeks’ time they will be describing the 1936-37 historical tussles for the cricket supremacy of the world. The interest in the coming tour, as is always the case with a visiting English team, is tremendously keen, and it looks as though the side may prove a very fine one when the players have worked into form. The completed English team is: G. O. Allen (captain), K. Fames, R. W. V. Robins, R. E. 8. Wyatt (amateurs), W. R. Hammond, W. Voce, H. Verity, J. M. Sims, T. S. Worthington, C. J. Barnett, M. Leyland, L. B. Fishlock, A. Fagg, J. Hardstaff, G. Duckworth, L. E. G. Ames, and W. Copson (professionals). The selection of Ames as the second wicketkeeper was fully expected, provided he had fully recovered from his recent disability,. while the only surprise to Australians is that Wyatt was not one of the early selections (writes E. H. M. Baillie in “The Sporting Globe”). When it came to filling the place left vacant by Holmes’s retirement, however, some of the English critics appear to be of the opinion that E. Paynter, the left-hander who did so well on the last tour, of Australia, should have had the preference. He has been batting remarkably well recently. The inclusion of Wyatt in place of Holmes, however, does not appear to have weakened the side in any way. TVyatt is probably a better batsman than Ho,mes, and, like the Surrey man, he can also take a turn with the ball. Furthermore, he is a great fighter, and it looks as though'he might help to solve the problem of- who should be one of the opening batsmen. Wyatt has not been fortunate as England’s captain, but is one of the outstanding cricketers of the day. There is the material among these 1? players from which might be moulded a verv strong side—a side that might be well balanced in every respect, with every type 'of plaver. There are outstanding batsmen, bowlers of every required variety several useful all-rounders, and two of the world's best wicketkeepers. The only question is as to whether the necessary quality is there. It is a side that should make plenty of runs, but, while there are nine or ten bowlers, and several good all-rounders, it looks as though it is the bowling that may cause worry before the tour is over. Australia, however, is in much the same posiit looks as though there will be some very keen contests for the honouts of the season, and while Australians re gard their chances as excellent, there ie plenty of room for doubt as to the outcome.

Harold Smith, the world's high-board diving champion, is planning an extensive tour of Great Britain. The tour, under the auspices of the Highgate Diving Club, was to start immediately after the Olympic Games and extend to November. He is unable to make the visit earlier, as he is employed by the German Swimming Federation to coach its divers for the Games. This will be Smith’s second visit. Last year he was in England just over a fortnight and gave exhibition--only in the sontji. Smith first started diving in 1925, and at various times has held every American championship from one to 10 metres. He won the world's high-board title nt the 1932 Olympic Games with a record number of points, and was second in the springboard event' —only two points behind the winner.