"HIGH QUALITY"

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 6

"HIGH QUALITY"

SOUTH AFRICAN TEAM

CRICKET. INVADERS

FINE ALL-ROUND SIDE

"I am particularly Impressed by the fitness and enthusiasm of these fine young athletes, and, having seen some cricket in all the big centres, I am quite convinced of its high quality," wrote Sir Stanley Jackson, in the "Rand Daily Mail" on March 30, in an interesting article on the South African cricketers now touring Britain. "I have noticed three fast bowlers whom'any side in England would welcome with both hands," he continued. "They are really fast, keep a good length, and make the batsmen play all the time by bowling at the stumps. "True to tradition there are good googly bowlers among the South Africans—in this elass I think Galaskas the best. He has had the experience of a tour in Australia and seems now a better bowler than at any time in his career. "Mitchell is a very steady bowler, and is probably the best all-rounder South Africa has had for years. "I ani told the captain, Wade, is an excellent leader, both on and off the field. He certainly is a most delightful fellow to meet and his records give ample proof of his batting ability. "The South African batting in general is attractive and strikes me as quite sound, although there is no insistence on safety-first tactics—the men go for everything they can. "South African wicket-keepers have always been good, and on this trip I have seen four who are in the firstclass, two of them seeming to me quite brilliant. "The touring side should have no weakness in this important department. "In no way cricketers out here Wave an advantage over the Mother Country, for they have already had some practical experience of the new lbw rule. I have seen two matches on turf wickets under the new conditions and though one wicket was sticky, I noted that there was not a single lbw dismissal in the match. In fact I heard only three appeals, but I could not help remarking that the batsmen were not in the habit of covering up to anything like the extent done by our batsmen at Home. "English cricketers may look forward to the South Africans with every prospect of seeing good cricket played in the best traditions of the game, and the home teams will have to give of their very best to hold these young invaders at bay." All phases of South African sport were represented at the Capa Tawo docks on March 29 when the South. African cricket team left in the Armadale Castle for their tour of England. They were given a warm send-off by a very large crowd, and there were animated scenes on board before the ship drew away. Both S. J. Snooke, the manager of the team, and H. F. Wade, the popular captain, were the recipients of many good wishes. The team was entertained at a civic luncheon at the City Hall, where General Smuts proposed the toast of the players. "We look upon the side," said General Smuts, "as thoroughly representative, and we look to the members of the team to uphold the refutation of the . country and its sporting traditions in ■every way." Replying: to the toast, Mr. S. J. Snooke said he considered the prospects of winning the Test matches excellent. •■"<? "This is probably the very best all-round team in batting, bowling, and fielding that has ever left this country," said Mr. > Snooke. "Our great object will be to win the Tests, for after all we have never won a Test match over there." "We are a young team," said the captain, H.'F. Wade, "but we have had experience^ In fact we have a big advantage over other sides that have toured abroad, in that most of our players have had good experience on turf." .