SPORT IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 2

SPORT IN BRITAIN

[Fkom Ocb English Cobeebpokdeht,] LONDON, July 25. CRICKET. With 0110 test match between England and Australia decided and .another almost at hand, it is perhaps fitting to take stock of the paper strength of the rivals. Australia stands in both the batting and bowling average tables at the moment, so far as individual merit is concerned. The wonderful Don. Bradman had scored 1.374 runs (average 98.141 for each complete innings, up to the close of last week. England’s leader is Jack Hobbs (average 67.44). Australia has four batsmen with averages of over 50, but there is a big falling off after that. England has five batsmen with averages above 50, and a dozen more with figures of merit over 40. C. V. Grimmett heads the bowling table, the Australian having captured eightv-three wickets for an average of 12'09. R. Tyldesley (sixty-two wickets, average 12.75) is very handy. Larwood (average 13.75 for forty-one wickets) and P- M. Hornibrook, of Australia (fifty-one wickets, average 13.90) come next. So far as the few leading batsmen and bowlers are concerned England and Australia are about equal, but where England has the advantage is in the wider field of selection. The custom of having an amateur to captain England’s tost team often means a handicap, and it is simply a statement of fact to say that there are more than a dozen better batsmen in the country than England’s chosen captain. Figures are not quite such a good guide in bowling as in batting, so far as test cricket «is concerned. Obviously the more often batsmen play against Australia the more used they wall become to the bowling. As this cuts both ways, England’s tactics should be to select one strange bowler for each match, and this'might ,be done with advantage when the field is wide, as it is. Levi and. of Yorkshire, ought to be one of the very first men to bo picked for a test team. Not only is he a splendid batsman, but also a good bowler and fine fieldsman. Picking an Indian to play for England is wrong in principle, and it is surprising that the authorities fail to realise this. —Fine Performances. — Of the many outstanding batting performances during the oast few days mention must be made of the innings of Jack Hobbs in the Surrey v. Australia match at Kennington Oval. Ihe veteran was much at home on the Oval turf, and he played the visitors attack in a manner which ought to encourage other home batsmen. Hobbs saved Surrey by playing a not-out innings of 140, which is the highest innings against the Australian howlers up to date this season. . . Another Surrey batsman in bandham was seen to advantage this week when making 176 against Essex. tits form is pleasing, as with Sutcliffe on the injured list he may have to partner Hobbs against Australia. It was not a very strong side which the M.C.O. put into the field against Oxford University, nevertheless it was a good performance on the part of the Dark Blues to win by seven wickets. Oxford has a bowler in I. A. R. Peebles who may be good enough for a test, lie took' six wickets for 78 runs in the first innings of the M.C.C., and five for 61 in tho second innings, which is good work. GOLF.

Much has been written about the open championship at Hoylake, which ended in still another triumph for Bobby Jones and the United States generally. Whilst the victory of the popular “ Bobbie ” has been well received, there is natural disappointment over the failure of the home players. In the third round. Jolly missed seven putts of less than 2ft. Had he got five of them down he would have won. Compson set up a new course record of 6S in the third round, and gamed a lead over Jones, Ho had only to play steadily and return a 75 for tho final round to win. How he absolutely collapsed, after a few bad holes at the start of tho last round, is history. Again, why should an experienced player like Jolly fail so badly at his putting? These are questions being widely asked, and they are important. Much might be written on this subject, which is often referred to nn inferior complex or want of confidence. British boxers, athletes, gollers, etc., who go to tho United States to reside often gain a greater belief in themselves because of the atmosphere (not climate) they live in. It is a very different matter in England to-day. The Government frowns on Cadet corps, and any pageant or tattoo illustrating the fighting ability of our forefathers is frowned upon in official circles. _ As to teaching boys and girls patriotism at school, that is considered quite out of place. Indeed, the tendency is the other way about, “What has this got to do with sport?” some may say. “ Very much.” is the answer. Lowering the fighting spirit of a nation and striving to kill aggressiveness is bound to result in a retrograde step when it comes to sports and pastimes, in which confidence and belief in one’s ability to win play a big part ATHLETICS. Homo cracks will soon bo called on to withstand a stout challenge from tho champions of nine different nations. That tho jubilee championship meeting of the Amateur Athletic Association in July would bo well supported was fully anticipated, and great are expected when tho “stars ” join issue. England sadly needs a real outstanding sprinter of the Billy Applegarth brand. Were he running to-day, England might reasonably expect to stand a chance of winning the 200 metres at

the Olympic Games, for no past winner has ever put up such a meritorious performance than his 21 l-ssec for the furlong, accomplished at the 1914 championship at Stamford Bridge and partly round a turn. It is possible a real champion may be found.in E. L. Page, of the Blackheath Harriers,, who won tho southern lUUyds championship at Oxford last Saturday in 9 9-10 sec. He had slight assistance from a following wind, but in defeating W. J. Simmons, H. G. Higgins, and A. M. Ellery, who are “ even ” timers, he proved his class, A little more improvement, and this young sprinter may be equal to holding his own against tho leading dominion and United States men. Equally as satisfactory was the sprinting of J. A. T. Hanlon when winning the 220yds southern championship. The course, partly round a bend, occupied Hanlon 21 3-ssec, a performance which compares well with the wonderful times often set up by American cracks on superior and straight tracks, it can be taken for granted that Hanlon, if fit is going to make matters interesting for all rivals at the Empire Games. Two other outstanding wins at the southern championship meeting were accomplished bjr Oxford athletes in the half and mile. T. Hampson just beat H. S. Townsend in the former, time Imin 55 3-ssec, only a yard separating the pair. Then came a great mile by J. T. Comes. He won easily at the end in 4min I7sec, and as he appears to go on improving there is no knowing what he will do before the season is over. Ho and R. H. Thomas, of the Royal Air Force, are certainly two big hopes for the next Olympiad. Two dominion athletes gained leading honours at the southern championships, they competing under residential qualifications. J. P. Wallace, of Australia, wearing tho Achilles A.C. jersey, threw

the discus 122 ft 4iin, which enabled him to retain the title. W. Horfczog was the other overseas man to win, the South African being successful in retaining his title in the javelin-throw-ing event with an effort of I73ft IJin. Of other field events the hop, step, and jump produced the best performance,, A. J. Gray, of the Polytechnic Harriers clearing 4Cft 4iin.

| —Wonderful Women Athletes. — { England women athletes to make marked improvement, some of the performances at the interclub championships at Stamford Bridge on Saturday being outstanding. Mrs M. Cornell ■ (nee Gunn) equalled the worlds record in the 80-metres hurdle race, her time being 12 1-osec. Sho also set up a new British best by clearing 19ft 01 in in the long-jump. E. M. Hiscock also sprinted fast, winning the 100yds in 11 3-ssec, and the furlong in 25 7-10 sec, the latter being a new record for Britain. Nor was this all, for L. L. Howes won the “mile” walk in Bmin 12 l-ssec, claimed as a world’s best on record.

CHAMPION CYCLISTS I After being under a “ cloud ” for ' part of the season, S. T. Dozens, of the Manchester Wheelers, has found his best form. Competing at Herne Hil! on Saturday, he beat a strong field in the I,oooyds National Cyclists’ Union championship. Cozens Was recognised as England’s premier rider ! over a sprint distance last season, and he made a bold bid for leading honj ours at the world’s championship meeting. Though beaten by Chambers and other cracks earlier in the present season, he has now established his claim, his speed, and tactics on Saturday being excellent.

A Tbeaker, of Wellam and J. £.* Sibbit, of Manchester, were the other finalists, and they put up a pretty race. Twice Theaker tried to “Jump” his rivals, but Cozens was always with him. Once fairly in the home straight the latter made his bid, and finished strongly, winning by half a length. Sibbit was not too well placed during most of the journey, but he had a good opening in the last straight, but failed to show the speed of Hie winner. In one of the preliminary heats Cozens rode the last furlong in 13 3-ssec, which is good going. BOXING. Many good Judges ot boxing jn England believe, that Young Stribling is as good as any heavy-weight who claims the right to try for heavyweight boxing honours. The manner he polished off Otto Von Porat in their bout sends his stock up, and he will have many supporters when he- faces Phil Scott at Wimbledon next month. Stribling must have landed ham on his rival’s jaw to end matters inside a round, and his hand appears to hay® suffered. Still, as he has five weeks to nurse the injured bone," he ought to Tie fit when he faces Scott. It will be a big disappointment should anything prevent this contest,, which is being keenly awaited by British sportsmen It is a great chance for Scott, for if he is good enough to win, ho will stand well for a contest against the acknowledged best for the heavyweight title. [Stribling knocked out Scott in the second round.] Winning fights in summary fashion is not confined to America, as Earnest Izzard showed at The Ring this week. He was opposed by F. De Keyset, of Belgium, in which was to bo a fif-teen-round bout. Izzard once held the light-weight championship of Britam. and he soon showed that he is still a power to be reckoned with in, boxing circles. No sooner did the pair face each other than the home boxer landed a stiff right-hand punch to the chin and the Belgian went down with a thud. It was clear that he was shaken,for he looked very “ groggy ” when he managed to rise. Izzard lost no time, but stepped in and clipped his man on the Jaw with the left, which proved enough, Keyset being knocked out inside half a minute.