WET OR FINE

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

WET OR FINE

BEARING ON RESULT

MACARTNEY'S OPINION

(Received February 25, 11.30 a.m.)

SYDNEY, This Day.

The "Herald's" cricket commentator, C. G. Macartney, on his fifth Test forecast, says:— "The toss will again play an important part. The Melbourne wicket is the worst in the world in wet weather and there will be trouble in store for the side that meets such conditions.

"The Englishmen are uncomfortable against fast bowling just as some ' of the Australian batsmen are. Yet, even so, I feel that the Australians will fare better than the Englishmen. "In Fleetwood-Smith Australia has a bowler who can turn the scales, always provided his length is good. If he bowls reasonably close to the quality of his Adelaide effort there is every prospect of an Australian success.

"In fine weather the Melbourne wicket is perhaps the best in Australia. Once the session before lunch on the first day has passed the pitch develops into one of an easy nature with good lasting qualities. The last innings will thus not be a dangerous affair. ATTACKING FORCES. "England must rely upon her fast bowlers and Verity to dismiss Australia if the latter has the final innings, whereas Australia is better equipped with spin bowlers—Fleetwood-Smith, O'Reilly, and Gregory—if England has to bat last. "If the match is played in fine weather I think Australia will win. There are Bradman who can turn the scales with the bat and FleetwoodSmith who can do so with the ball. If the wicket is bad throughout England will win, as on a rain-damaged wicket England's batsmen are more skilful and the bowlers have greater knowledge of such conditions and are more effective."