AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 February 1934, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

TEAM FOR ENGLISH TOUR NOTABLE OMISSIONS [by CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] SYDNEY, January 31. The Australian cricket team has been selected as follows: VICTORIA. W. M. Woodfull. W. H. Ponsford. .L. S. Darling. ( B. A. Barnett. D. Fleetwood-Smith. E. H. Bromley. H. Ebeling. NEW SOUTH WADES. D. G. Bradman. A. F. Kippax. S. J. McCabe. W. A. Brown. A. Z. Chipperfield. W. A. Oldfield. W. J. O’Reilly. SOUTH AUSTRALIA. C. V. Grimmett. T. Wall. , Woodfull captains the team, and Bradman is vice-captain, while these with Kippax will be the Selection Committee. With seven men each Victoria and New South Wales, and two South Australians, there is again no Queensland representative m the team. . Eight or half of the team will be making their first visit with the Australian team to England, viz: — O’Reilly, the N.S.W. bowler; the Victorian batsman, Darling; the Newcastle player, Chipperfield; the Victorians Bromley, Barnett (wicketkeeper); and the Victorian bowleis Ebeling and Fleetwood-Smith. The team was forecast correctly by M. A. Noble.

WHO’S WHO. Public opinion generally is pleased with the Australian team, although a few of the cricket writers are disappointed that places have not been found for Fingleton, Richardson, Chilvers and possibly Hill. Cricketing officials regard the team as very strong in all departments. Mr Harold Bushby is the team’s manager. Arthur Chipperfield’s inclusion came as a surprise, although he is regarded as a splendid batsman, a promising slow-bowler', and a magnificent slip fieldsman. He comes from Newcastle. He made a. fine century against the Englishmen on theii’ last tour of the Northern districts. Bromley shaped really well in Sydney in the recent Sheffield Shield match. He is a useful left-hand bowler, and an excellent fieldsman. He played in one test against England, getting 26 and 7. Brown literally played himself into the team during the recent Sheffield Shield games. Barnett is the second wicket-keeper, and also a promising left-hand batsman, which accounted for his selection, instead of the South Australian ’keeper, Walker, who had previous test experience. Darling has been a- prolific scorer during the past two seasons. He did well in the last tests, making 148 against England. He is a hard man to shift when set. Ebeling has not played very much, owing to his inability to leave his work. He bowls medium fast, righthand, and the batsmen treat him with respect. He is also a fair bat, and a good field. Fleetwood-Smith,, who originally was a right-hand bowler, became a left-hander after an accident. He bowls on off-break to right-hand batsmen, and also bowls a “bosey.” There is much speculation as to how he will fare in England.

ENGLISH ESTIMATES. VETERAN PLAYERS’ OPINIONS. (Received February 1, Noon). LONDON, January 31. English critic's generally regard the Australian test team as strong in batting and weak in bowling. P. F. Warner says: The team looks weak in bowling, but will certainly get lots of runs. I would certainly have included . Chilvers. He is a splendid bowler. I think O’Reilly a bit stale. If he bowls as well here as he does in Australia, he will get a lot of wickets. Fleetwood-Smith has tremendous possibilities. Carr says: The team is as strong in batting as it is weak in bowling. It fairly shouts for another lefthander, preferably Hill. . The “Star” says: The team is a splendid blending of youth and experience. It would not be surprising if Barnett displaces Oldfield in the test side.

Chapman comments that the inclusion of youngsters should ensure top-notch fielding. He expressed regret at the absence of a tried lefthander bowler. Alan Fairfax regrets the absence of Ironmonger, otherwise, the team is well balanced; Bruce Harris comments that Australia still has a tail. Fender, in the “Evening News” says: The selectors lived up to reputation, discarding sentiment, relying solely on efficiency. English players must never forget that Bradman is capable of winning any match. The “Standard” publishes a bold panel sports page: “Jardine the best skipper in the world must be our captain. ' If Larwood is fit, he must play in the tests. No Marylebone diplomatic shelving of these men would he tolerated, any such action of which there is talk from time to time, would not make for peace, but further trouble. Let the game be left to cricketers. They won’t squeal.”

LARWOOD INTERVIEWED. (Recd. February 1, 1 p.m.) LONDON,January 31. There is enormous interest in the Australian team, which is discussed everywhere. Newspapers are plastered with photographs, biographies and appreciations. The general opinion is that O’Reilly is Australia’s greatest hope, and great gamble. If, as expected, he does better in England than Australia, he may help Bradman to win the Tests. If he fails, the attack may possibly collapse with a thud. Larwood, interviewed, said it was about the best side Australia could have chosen. O’Reilly was outstanding

in the Australian attack, but he (LarSwood) was surprised* at the omission bf Richardson. ! Referring to his own chances, he [said it was impossible to say how his [foot would stand cricket. He had been advised “not to try until I can tget on the turf. I shall stick to the [surgeon’s advice.” TEAM FOR NEW ZEALAND. (Recd. February 1, 8 a.m.) . SYDNEY, January 31. The following team has been selected for the New Zealand tour: —

V. Richardson (captain), J. Davey, A. Lonergan, H. Nitschke, C. Walker (all South Australians) ;K. Rigg (vicecaptain), L. Nagel, E. McCormick (Victorians), H. Chilvers, J. Fingleton, Clem Hill (N.S.W.), C. Andrews (Queensland 1 ), and C. Badcock (Tasmania). The latter is a promising batsman. Davey is an all-rounder. The team comprises many with test qualifications. The Selection Committee will comprise Richardson, .Rigg, Fingleton. The Board of Control decided that subject to suitable arrangements being made, an Australian team will visit South Africa in 1935-36.

The Board adjourned late to-night. No disclosures were made on the bodyline controversy. The itinerary for New Zealand was not completed. The Board resumes to-morrow. SYDNEY PRESS OPINIONS. (Received February 1, 1 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 1. ’ The morning papers are not pleased with the team for New Zealand. “The Telegraph” says: More surprising than the inclusion of Chipperfield in the team for England, was the omission of Jack Scaife from the thirteen to tour New Zealand. Davey is practically an unknown quantity, having played only one Sheffield Shield match. The exclusion of Oxenham is noteworthy. The Labour Daily says: Davey’s selection is a mystery. Possibly he was chosen to appease South Australia for her poor representation in the major eleven. Tobin appears to have been badly treated. Badcock, aged 19, holds a" number of Tasmanian records, being the only Tasmanian to score a double century in a first-class match. He has an average of 122 in club games this season. His scores against Victoria, this season, were 25, 107, 274 and 71 not. out. ' „ . Morning paper critics generally a)> plaud the team for England, while expressing regret that Richardson and! Fingleton were omitted.