INFERIOR FIELDING

Evening Star, Issue 25928, 21 October 1946, Page 8

INFERIOR FIELDING

Above all, this match so far ■ has proved one,thing: That England could not .possibly hope to win a test match without at least the two slow, bowlers, Smith and Wright, in the team ; also, that a severe readjustment of the fielding positions is absolutely necessary. I had the Wrath of English critics on my.head when I cabled from London drawing attention to England’s fielding being inferior to any team’s since 1921. I cannot believe this is England’s best fielding form. It should improve when niore attention is given to slip fieldsmen who are capable of concentrating on the job. During the . present match the slips apneared to be a sanctuary for tired' bowlers, but even tired bowlers can pick up slip catches if they are alert. I was a tired bowler during the Gregory-McDonald attack, England’s innings - began with the test match openers, Washbrook and Hutton, who appeared determined to see. how efficient Puckett was. They watched every; ball as closely as a, cat watching 'a- mouse, were completely beaten occasionally and rapped vigorously on the pads, but survived the first five overs with, their wickets intact. Strange as it;irnay seem, the. real opposition came from Cumming, who sent up a salv f o of ' off: inswingers which caused both batsmen great concern. In fact, Cummihg’s fourth over was, in my opinion, the best over of the match. Seven: balls swung from the off, and the last one 6wung suddenly in the opposite direction, and left the usually placid, phlegmatic 'Yorkshiremau, Hutton, completely flabbergasted. It was a great over against two batsmen who have had hours of experience against similar attacks in England. Then for some unknown reason Gumming was taken off in favour of Johnson. Coming on at the other end two overs late'r, Cumming attacked his old enemy,. Hutton, and bowled him second ball. Hutton was never comfortable against Cumming, nor against Johnson. "