AUSTRALIA WINS FIRST CRICKET TEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22665, 16 June 1948, Page 4

AUSTRALIA WINS FIRST CRICKET TEST

"POSSIBLY suffering from a slight sense of inferiority as a result of Australia’s command over the situation during the last series of test matches in the Commonwealth, England s cricketers aid no do themselves justice in their first innings at that had start, relieved from drab disaster only by the splendid fighting innings by Laker, a newcomer and a.bowler, the. home side pulled itself together in commendable fashion and in its second knock showed form which, if carried forward to the second test at Lords, may make it difficult for Australia to record another win so convincing as'this latest eight-wicket victory. LWlish A closer contest would be good not only for post-w.ai Lnglish cricket but also for all followers of the game who derive a tonic benefit from their healthy hobby. Naturally any sport is most intei esting when the issue is continually in doubt, hut m an international match which lasts for the better part of a week it is particularly desirable that public attention should he held by that feeling of have been among the first to congratulate.the Australians on their well-deserved success. That attitude is mfu keening with the strongly-expressed repugnance of the Lnglish authorities 1 for unfair barracking on the part of a noisy crowd minority. Clearly cricket in England is. still first and foi«emost game of good fellowship and mutual enjoyment. May that spint permeate the whole test series and encourage England s selectois, especially in view of Laker’s success, to give one or two moie “unknowns” a chance to develop their skill m big company.