AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 January 1926, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN TEAM

PLUM WARNER’S OPINION

(Reuter.)

‘LONDON, January. 28

In a most critical, though most informative review of the Australian team, Mr. P. F. Warner, writing exclusively for the “Morning Post,’ declared that he has a'suspicion that the selectors'- have leaned pver-readily on the oldsters,, and' also that they were in too great a hurry .to select the the team. This .policy seems, he says, to bear most harshly on the youngsters who have been prominent since 1921, arid have now been passed over. Mr. Warner mentions the cases of V. Richardson, Pritchard, Rymill, Kip- 1 pax, and Alexander. He adds: “Nevertheless, it would be a rash critic who would venture to say that the selected rnen do not deserve inclusion in a representative Australian side. Unable to produce a pair of fast bowlers, the Australians have banked on .“googlies.” Grimmett will be new to English wickets. Therefore, Mr. Warner is, convinced that the ability of the Australians to win the rubber depends largely on whether Grimmett will be successful. '“I am told,” ,he writes, “that Grimmett’s arm is low, though that does not affect the efficiency of a googlie bowler,, because the less ’air’ he gives the ball ,the more difficult it is for batsmen to jump in to drive. , He remarks: “Whether the Australians’ bowling-turns out successful or riot, there is no question as i to their batting strength/ The last four batsmen, probably will be Richardson, Gregory, Oldfield and Grimmett. Opr bowlers may well have sleepless nights,wondering how they are going to dislodge them.” He thinks the batting strength pf floth sides makes it doubtful Whether there will be, a defiriite reriult in the Jirst. four matches. There is a strong feeling, he says, that four days should be allotted.

Referring to Ponsfprd’s alleged un; sound. methods, he says suclw’are not bo.rne.ouf by his brilliant consistency. Perhaps Ponsford in one. of those rare batsmen with a touch o.f genius raising (superior to the ordinary rules of orthodoxy. I am disappointed at the non-inclusion of kippax, whose admirers ‘claim that he is a worthy successor of Trumper.” The article concludes: “I firmly believe that an English side, wisely chosen, can face the Australians with every hope. Our top. batsnien-.are equal to the Australians. Tate is' the finest .bowler in the world. Our fielding should be superior; It is the Australian tail /which may mean England’s undoing, as it has so often meant previously. LORD HAWKE’S SUGGESTIONS. ' •* ■ ■ • LONDON, January 28. At the annual meeting of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, -Lord Hawke said that.he did not agree with the. suggestion . for a reduction in County matches during test • years. “The Australians, (he said) have a big programme and much travelling entertainment, therefore our. chances are not endangered bn this score. I would like the selectors, and all the team to stay at the same hotel, so I could discuss the .points... .If the’ agree, I feel it could be arranged.’’ 1

Referring to four days’ tests, Lord Hawke said that it was too late noW to alter the Arrangements. He thought if they were to play the game, and not to sit and splice, the present .fairly long hours would enable matches to be brought to a conclusion.

SIXTEENTH PLAYER.

SYDNEY, January 29.

It is officially announced that Everett' (N.S.W.) lias been included in the Australian team as a second fast bowler.

The following will represent Brunner A. versus Runanga:—D. Kennedy (junr.'),. C, Buckman, F. Boustridge, J-. Fenteman, J. Hallinan, R. Fordham, “C. Kennedy (capt.) J. McDonald/ J, Harper, G. Fallow, and H. Kennedy. Euler. : G. Eder, AV. L. Patterson, F. Creagh. ’Bus will leave Taylorville at 12.30. ’. The following will represent the Uniteds this week-end :— A’s’v. Stars—Adams, Fass, Mercer, Nightingale, .Spinder, Denton, Clarke.,, Jamieson, Mcjvor, Kear, Revell. , B’s v. Watersliders, at Omoto (cars leave Rec. at 1 p.m.)—Walton, Tabb, Jamieson (2), Warnes, Ket,tle, Rose, Kissick, Chapman, Winchester, Forrest.

Juniors .v. Stars at 9 a.m.—Grpoby (2), Rodgers, Garbutt, Gibson, Sloss, Matthews* Bennett, Cox, Jones, and Walls.