BOWLING TACTICS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1933, Page 9

BOWLING TACTICS

TRUE FACTS WANTED M.C.C. TEAM'S POSITION LAEWOOD INTEECEPTED

Row that tho M.C.C. team's Aus-tralian-New Zealand tour has ended, •the New Zealand section obviously under much happier circumstances than the successful quest , for the "Ashes," cricket interest will turn to ovents of the coming season in England. But Australia will also have something of importance to engage attention—the report of its special committee on what has been termed "body-line bowling." It was this particular form of attack by the M.C.C. team which gavo- rise to much of the unpleasantness attaching to the recent tour of Australia! and the possibility of an exploitation ' of similar methods in cricket in England this season is apparently causing further concern in the Old Country.

Tho M.C.C. authorities' will want to know all about it when their team returns Home, and they arc not likely to take any action, if such is considered necessary,"until the full facts are obtained from their representatives. That tho team has something to say of its experiences in Australia there is little doubt.- > ' .

According to a recent cabled message from London to Australia, the "NewsChronicle" stated that, on the ground that it was "likely to upset diplomatic relations," publication of a statement by tho M.C.C, team in Australia was forbidden by tho managers. The newspaper urged" that the truth ought to be told about the team's experiences, as a hush policy would . mako matters •worse. The team prepared its "vindicating statement" before leaving Australia. "That document," the paper states, "still exists, and ought to-be published. It is absurd to suggest that it could damage the good relationship of English and Australian" sportsmen, which might rather be impaired by hiding the truth." "WHY GLOSS THINGS OVER?" Tho special representative of the "Sydney Morning Herald" cabled from London recently as follows:—"It has already been learned that some xneinters of the British team prepared a statement in reply to Australian criticism before they; left Sydney for New Zealand, and would have publishedJ it but for tho intervention, of the managers, who considered that it might aggravate past bitterness. A section of the London "Press is now agitating for the publication of this document, or, alternatively, some other vindication, in answer to the unrestrained abuse of the more irresponsible Australian newspapers, which, judging by quotations now being printed, did not hesitate to use words such as 'bashers' and 'frightfulness.' 'The Australians have not glossed things over. Why should we?' demands one sporting writer. 'In order to try to get inside the Australian mind, I have been reading through columns of matter in their newspapers, which prove, if proof were needed, how deeply they believe themselves to be in'the right. The man I am sorriest for is D. E. Jardine (captain of tho M.C;C. team). He did not pick his team and the M.C.C. having provided him with an array of fast bowlers, he was entitled to mako the most of them. That ho did so in spite of tho rough deal he has had is a great testimony to his virtues, as a captain." Sir Francis Lacey, a former M.C.C. secretary, in speaking of "body-line bowling," expressed the opinion that the,. M/C.C. would I'ofor, the matter,, to the"" Imperial Cricket Conference. ".Something may bo done," he said, "by adding to or altering the. rules to Tiring back "a friendly atmosphere." A MESSAGE FOR LARWOOD? The first member of the M.C.C. team to arrivo back in England will bo H. Larwood, the leading figure in the much-discussed attack. A stir has been caused in cricket circles at Home by the hurried departure from England of A. W, Carr, the Notts county captain, to meet Larwood, who plays for Notts. Despite a denial by tlie Notts secretary that Carr was carrying a message to Larwood, a , special , correspondent of the "New's-CKroniclo" travelling on the same vessel as Carr stated that the Notts captain had "a very constructive motion by the Notts Club's committee, forbidding Larwood to open his mouth." Larwood's distress at the Australian attacks' is regarded by the newspaper as being .justified, as some of the Australian papers that have arrived in England "contain the most scurrilous attacks,, and he would be more than human if hq refrained from replying.'The "Sydney Morning Herald" reported as follows: —"The battle over bodj'-line bowling, which so excited Australia, is likely to have repercussions when H. Larwood, the . Notts fast bowler^ reaches England, despite the' effort being made in influential quarters to let bygones bo bygones. Mr. A. W. Carr, the Nottinghamshire Comity. Club captain, left on a mysterious mission to meet Larwood at Port Said. It is understood that ho is the bearer of a message from tho county committee forbidding Larwood to indulgo in any public comment. Even if this is so, it is • improbable that anything will prevent the whole issue from being fought out when the English team roturns with the' Ashes.' " : HISTORY' REPEATS ITSELF. On Larwood'a departure from Australia recently it was stated that he was finished with Australia, and was determined never to revisit the country to play Test cricket, so incensed was he with the continuous barracking and,1 heckling while on tour. This was a case of history repeating itself. After thciprcvious tour of Australia (in 1928----20) a cablegram from London (April .21, 1029) stated: —"It is understood that Larwood, when interviewed, said he would, never go to Australia again. He emphatically objects to Australian barracking as ugly, 'unnecessary, and unfair, and considers that mush of it is deliberately planned."