FINAL CRICKET TEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 9

FINAL CRICKET TEST

WILL BODYLINE BE USED ?

HOBBS ON PROSPECTS

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Cdpyrlsht. (By J. B. Hobbs.—Copyright in all countries.—Reproduction in whole or part forbidden.) (Received February 25, 9.30 a.m.) ' MELBOURNE, This Day. "The coming Test will be the most interesting in cricket history. There is not a room available in any hotel within miles of the city, and people have been talking about nothing else since Australia won the last Test at Adelaide.

"The weather is becoming settled since the rain last weekend, and a genuine Melbourne wicket is promised,' which means that it will be lively before lunch on the first; day, after which it will tone down, though it will never be as easy as the Adelaide wicket.

"Tlie toss means so much that conditions cannot be absolutely equal. It is quite possible that either side will lose three or four wickets before lunch. However, I cannot help thinking that it is better to win the toss, because if you lose a few wickets early you get them back relatively easily in the second innings of your opponents. " AUSTEALIA OPTIMISTIC. "The thing that has impressed me since the Adelaide match is the wonderful optimism of the Australian public and how seriously they take the Test matches. I have warned them not to take current form as Gospel, because England's team has not been fully represented since Adelaide and the tourists have been concentrating on this Test. "Candidly, I am not as confident of England winning the fifth as I was of the fourth Test. I feel that we have less chance of winning if we" lose the toss than the Australians if they lose it, because they have the more dangerous bowlers for the fourth innings. Maybe some of our fellows will feel the benefit of the relaxation since the Adelaide Test. They will certainly need to be at their best, because Australia will probably have their strongest eleven against them. THE PROBABLE TEAMS. "I expect England to field the same team as in the former Tests, though there is a chance that Worthington or Sims will displace Robins. "Badcock, by far the most matured of the youngsters we have seen, should | never have been left out of the Australian side. Nash may be included in the Australian team. He has pace at the start, but is inclined to bowl short, making the ball rear round the batsmen's shoulders.

"I hope there is not going to be any rough stuff in this match. If it does come from one side I see no cause for complaint if the other team should, retaliate. I sincerely hope that there are no unpleasant incidents. (Recent Press reports have hinted at the possibility of bodyline bowling creeping into the final Test.) "I do not anticipate fireworks in the final match. On the contrary. I am afraid it will be a very dour affair. I hope it will be played out without rain intervening."