POTENTIAL CENTURY-MAKERS

Evening Star, Issue 25926, 18 October 1946, Page 8

POTENTIAL CENTURY-MAKERS

FORMIDABLE ARRAY OF BATSMEN HAMMOND NURSING HIMSELF (By Arthur Hailey.) (Special to the 1 Star.’) PERTH, October 17. In Yardley, Hutton, Washbrook, Fishlock, Compton, Edrieh, Gibb. Langridge, and Ikin, England has nine men capable of scoring a century. The two remaining Pollard and Bedser, are useful with the bat, but cannot be taken seriously as dependable run-getters. • Hammond probably dropped out for two reasons. ' Firstly, he was very stiff and sore after scoring his double century last week, aud lias not recovered yet. Secondly, feeling in first-class form himself, he decided to let the other batsmen get as much practice as possible, particularly against two prospective test bowlers, Johnson and Dooland. It is almost certain that Hammond will save himself for the more important matches during the tour, and it is probable that he will not participate in any of the country games. This may not please the country centres, but it should prove very satisfactory to the English captain. BEDSER ON TRIAL. This will be Bedser’s really serious try-out. He didn’t appear to be particularly difficult against the colts at Fremantle, and he will have to show a great improvement against the combined team before he is classed as a test match possibility. Bedser, I feel, is running into flesh too fast, and this also applies to Pollard, another pace bowler. Both men appear to be rather lumbersome in their approach to the wicket.

The relatively rich, fresh Australian food may prove a more valuable ally than was .first expected before the tests are .finished. The Englishmen will depend on three stock bowlers—Langridge, slow left hand, Pollard, and Bedser, fast-medium right hand. Ikin, who is suffering from boils in the arm, may give way to Smith, wild is now twelfth man. INTERESTING CLASH. Personally, I am looking forward to seeing the Compton-Hutton versus Dooland-Johnson clash. Denis Compton is a relentless batsman after lie gets started, particulai'ly against spin bowling. He is more like an Australian batsman in so far as his technique is concerned. He does not play according to the book. He enjoys a crossbat shot as much as he does an orthodox leg glance. Sometimes such a seeming vulgarity makes!the members of Lord’s wince, but this happy-go-lucky fellow probably enjoys it all the more. , , , . Hutton, a. product ot Yorkshire, is more industrious and less spectacular, but still a more forceful batsman than when he made his record score at the Oval test in 1938.' The operation to his arm has not impaired his great skill, despite the fact that his left arm is about two inches shorter than it was before his accident. The reverse contest will be the Barncs-Meulcman versus Bedser-Pol-lard affair. Barnes has never faced Bedser before, and this is Meuleman’s first appearance against an English bowler. Whether Meuleman’s clover foot work will be too much for the good-length bowling of Bedser or Pollard, or vice versa, remains to be seen, but whatever happens 1 hope the young Victorian will not impose any restrictions on liis greatest asset his superb footw’ork. CLAMOUR FOR PUCKETT. In anticipation of another five wickets and ultimate test selection for Mr Puckett, the West Australians supporters are looking forward keenly to the match. The Perth slogan at the moment is: “ Pick Puckett! - Later on it is expected to be: Puckett Picked! ” Whether Mr Puckett is a great bowler or not, if he picks up another five wickets in this match, the Eastern selectors will have to do something about it. In the West Australian match he was just as dangerous with the old as he was with the new ball. It is said, even by the English batsmen, that he was breaking from the off, and it was this particular ball which worried the tourists. _I sat in line with the wickets while Mr Puckett Was bowling, and if he broke from the off with his pace on such a perfect pitch I’ll chew my hat. No, my English friends, Mr Puckett does not break from the off! That ball is a continuation of a late'in-swinger (how I hate technicalities!), which to batsmen who are not vet accustomed to the pace of Australian pitches, looks like an off-break. If. Mr Puckett gets five wickets again and is chosen for a test match, and fails, who will take the credit? The English batsmen or the Australian selectors? In Dooland, Herbert, Johnson, and Puckett the Combined team seemed to have a stronger battery than England, but I think that the batting on both ♦sides is so strong that this match, too, will end in a draw.