THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN

Evening Star, Issue 19128, 21 December 1925, Page 13

THE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN

SYDNEY WRITER'S PICK J. G. Bridges, in ‘Smith’s Weekly’ (Sydney), writes; “In an attempt to pick the Australiau eleven—or Australian fifteen, to be correct—little notice will be taken of the ‘ trial ’ match between an Australian eleven and the Rest. You don’t select your Melbourne Cup fancy on the strength of an up-the-line trial stakes run three months before the big race. And yon don’t (tick your Australian team of cricketers on the results of a trial which happens throe months before the side is due to leave these shores. The trial match did one big thing, though—and that was to re-establish Charley Macartney and Warren Bardsloy, two of the most famous batsmen who ever did battle for Australia, to international cricket. The good form which these batsmen exhibited has simplified matters somewhat for the selectors—Messrs Collins, Ryder, and Clem Hill—hut the big job is still ahead of the trio who arc to namo Australia’s fifteen.

“ Their chief job is to find the right bonders for England. If only we could launch a fast-bowling combination like the Grcgory-M'Donald battery that demoralised the foe in 1921! In this respect the name of Scott has been mentioned as a partner for Gregory. True, Scott, little as he is. is bonding 1 aster than Gregory these days, and he might be a handy man in the Old Country. Rut against Scott is always the doubt whether he possesses the right temperament for big cricket. Maybe lie would rise to the occasion as a member ot an Australian touring side. If be did there would be no question of the great advantage enjoyed by Ausltalia in the next series of tests.

“ Suppose, then, that Scott goes with the learn. With two fast bowlers it is unlikely that the two googly bowlers would bo chosen, and it would become a question of Mailey or Grimmett- ■ both high-class trundlers, both good fields, and both sturdy bats. “ It is quite on the cards, too, that there will be another two-edged battle for place between the medium-pace bowlers, Kellcway and Hendry, with a shade of odds in the former’s favor. Hendry did not quite rise to the occasion when given his cnance in 1921. Nevertheless, he is howling better today, and his slip fielding astonished England from the inomeijt that he brought off that wonderful catch from Woolley’s bat in the first test at Nottingham. “ Wood full is highly regarded in tho right quarters. He lias always given the impression that ho will bat well on English wickets, and bis fighting innings against England last season on a rain-damaged wicket in Melbourne I shall never forget. “Which of the Richardsons will go? Generally accepted that one will, but whether Victor nr Arthur is difficult to judge at this stage. Possibly Arthur would he a power as a bowler on English wickets —and this impression may decide the issue with the selectors. “ And what about left-hand bowler Hornihrook, of Queensland? Personally, I cannot see him in the team.- He has been given several chances to make good in big cricket, but has disappointed The battle for places is going to he so keen that it seems improbable that this northerner can bo one of the chosen. “ All going well in the meantime, there are nine men who are practically certainties in mv opinion. They are: Collins, Oldfield, Gregory, Andrews, 'Taylor, Macartney, Bardsley (N.S.W.), Pousford and Ryder (Victoria). “Two from Mailey, Grimmett, and Scott would make eleven, Kclleway or Hendry twelve, one of the Richardsons thirteen, Woodfull Tburtoon, and the second wicketkeeper (Ellis or Rove, Victoria) would complete the filteen.”