INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 15515, 10 June 1914, Page 3

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET

THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

The selectors of the Australian team for South Africa are Messrs C. Hill. E. E. Bean, and Dr L. 0. S. Poidevin. The terms of the tour are “ all expenses paid and £2OO per man.” which means approximately £8 per week per man, in addition to ail expenses. After urging that the selection should he announced as soon as possible, the ’Sydney Morning Herald’ says;— *

At present it does not appear likely that Clem Hill will be able to absent himself from his duties as stipendiary steward in South Australia, though, of course, it is onlv a matter of his being available to bo included in the party. It Hill goes he will, no doubt, captain the side. If he does not. then tire captaincy would in all probability fail to, Victor Trumpcr. The South Africans have the _ very highest opinion of Trumpet, and his form would be a great attraction : but then it is not certain, on present indications, that he will be able to go this time. Warren Bardsley, we understand, is a certainty. He has a remarkable run of successes against South African bowling in Test cricket, having made more runs in the Australia v. South Africa series than any other batsmen. He has scored in succSssion 152, 85. 14 . 54, 58, 82, 15, 94, 59 in Australia, and 121, 164, and 56 in England —an aggregate of 914 runs in 11 innings without a not out, at an average, therefore, of 85.09 runs per innings. Trumpet has scored 901 runs in 15 innings, three times not out, average 75.08 runs per innings ; whilst Faulkincr, who comes next, has "an average of 880 runs, average 62.85 runs per innings. C. G. Macartney is, of course, as indispensable in an Australian side at present, and although the great little batsman thinks it rather early to say anything at present, everyone confidently expects to see him in the team. And the same remark applies to Charles Kelleway. As regards Dr H. V. Hordern and 11. J. A. Massif, it would appear that they are not likely to be available There is a fair probability- of H. Carter being able to go if the selection be made in good time, a remark which applies to several other New South Welshmen.

Amongst the Victorians, those certain to go if selected include J. T. Matthews, W. Carkeek, R. V. Ryder, and F. Baring. There seems every likelihood, also, of Warwick Armstrong being available, but Vernon Ransford (for business reasons) and R. L. Park (university considerations) are unavailable.

From South Australia, we understand, the players likely to be available for the tour, are E. R. Mavna, D. “M. Steele, A. G. Moyes, W. J. Whitty, L. Winser, and C. G. Campbell. South African wickets do not suit every type of bowling, and, with the present dearth of high-class bowling, the selectors may find it a difficult task to thoroughly equip the team in this respect. The great point is that the sooner the availability or otherwise of the “certainties” is tested by selection the more time and opportunitywill the selectors have to look around for suitable substitutes if necessary. The American motto, “get busy,” seems eminently applicable -in this case.