FATE OF THE ASHES

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1937, Page 9

FATE OF THE ASHES

INQUEST BY CRITICS Better Side Successful (Aus & NZ. Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, March 4. The iSyidney “Herald’s” cricket comnientator„ reviewing the Tests, emphasises the steady improvements made by the Australians after the second Test, and the manner in which some of the younger playeis proved capable of backing up the effons of the more experienced men. LONDON, March 3. Commenting on the Tests, Arthur Carr says: We were lucky to win two Tests. I should think these are two of the worst sides that have ever represented England and’ Australia. MELBOURNE. March 4. Macartney, recalling that it is the first time Australia has won the “Ashes” in Australia since 1925, says: There was not a great deal between the two sides, but Australia can claim superiority. It was Bradman’s batting that turned the scales in favour of Australia. Bradman clearly showed that he is capable of suiting his batting to any situation, and exploded the idea that the captaincy would in. terfere with his run-getting. England possessed no Bradman to come to her rescue when in peril. Hammond was not sufficiently consistent to play the role. On the whole, England possessed' steadier bowling strength than Australia, but was seriously hampered by the poor quality of its slow bowlers.' England won the- first two Tests ow. ing to superior team-work, but from then onwards the side gradually declined, while Australia improved, emerging from the last Test as a first class, well-balanced 1 fighting team. Allen made the most of the limited material. The team he was asked to lead was the weakest seen in Australia this century. Bradman is establish, ed as Australia’s captain for many

years. Hobb:

>s, says; England failed to re. gain the “Ashes” because, frankly, the side was not quite good enough. Bradman is more than one man in a team. The “Ashes” were lost and won. on. the third day of the fourth Test. If the English batsmen, that Monday, had pushed home the advantage the bowlers had gained, England could still have- allowed Bradman to get his 270, and pulled off the match. The English batsmen never struck form. There was no first-wicket pair to give the side a good start. Sutcliffe was sadly missed, and “passengers” were car. ried in every Test. Another cause of defeat was the absence of a tip-top spin bowler. I cannot see England ever doing really well in Australia., until they find one. The Australian wickets become more responsive to that kind of bowling. Allen told me that he -thought the difference in the pace of” the Test wickets here, since the last tour, was the contrast be. tween he fiery Lords wicket and the Test wicket at Manchester. I have no complaint against our present bowlers. They dismissed Australia for far fewer runs than . England anticipated. It was our batting that failed. We had to rely too much on about three players. Hammond failed to hold his initial form, and the bowler s found a way to cramp his style, concentrating on his leg stump. -Being an essentially off-side player, he’ was com. pelled ’ to play in a manner entirely foreign to his nature. On the other hand, Australia undoubtdly had the better stroke players. The toss decided the issue in every game. I wish something could be. done to nullify its effect, but I am afraid nothing can. be done. Australia, however, had won the final Test ’before the rain came, and all the rain did was to increase the. margin of defeat. Yet, in a way, Australia were lucky to get away with the- “Ashes” ’Their side was short, of bowlers until the last Test, while rain won them the third Test, when England was two up. O’Reilly is a class bowler, although he sank in my estimation, on this tour, by exploiting the leg theory too much. Oldfield a master behind the wickets. Allen more than came up to expectations as captain, but was handicapped by his social duties. The umpires gave complete satisfaction, but perhaps the happiest feature of the Tests •was the excellent behavious of tho crowds. Barracking was almost eliminated.

THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. MELBOURNE, March 4. Bradman has received a special mes. sage of congratulation from the King on winning the Test Ashes. His Majesty pays atribute to Bradman’s "predominant skill as a batsman." Th e Board of Control acknowledged the message. Doctor Morton, a member of the Australian Board of Control, replying to the English comment in regard to the Englishmen’s heavy programme in Australia, said the so-called "picnic" matches in Australia were really a pleasant interlude. The programme was here not as arduous as that for the Australians in En gifts d, where they have to play practically two matches every week, instead of one as in Australia. BARNETT’S INJURY. MELBOURNE, March 3. The. English batsman, Barnett, goes into hospital, to-morrow, for an operation to his knee,, a ch'ipped bone causing inconvenience. He will be unable to play in New Zealand, but will rejoin the team on the homeward 1 journey.