EYES ON THE CLOUDS

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1938, Page 12

EYES ON THE CLOUDS

WEATHER AND CRICKET. AUSTRALIAN TOUR EXPECTED TO PAY OFF OVERDRAFTS. Everyone interested in cricket has been turning anxious eyes heavenwards ever since the Australians arrived—and they, too, have been glancing at the clouds. We had clouds throughout April, but no rain, writes a London correspondent on April 28. Expert and novice alike have been arguing as to the effect of the long dry spell of spring upon the Test wickets, and whether that effect, whatever it is, will be in favour of England or Australia. Experience in the past has taught us that, if an Australian team is good, its players get used to our wickets, wet or dry, and prove themselves just as good on the “sicky dog” type as our own men—as for instance, Bardley and Macartney, to go no further back. Moreover, the Australians obviously have, in Ward and O’Reilly, as well as the left-handed freak, FleetwoodSmith, men who can use a turning wicket, just as well as our own spinners can.

The county executives are anxious, however, because of the financial side. Our counties are nearly all sorely troubled these days to makey ends' meet, and they are banking on. this Australian tour to pay off overdrafts and make repairs to their- grounds and stands; The counties share,/of 'course, in Test match gate receipts,/, and each County has at least ,’bne Australian visit. But—a wet can do so much damage- ■'S. 1 / Bradman and his team have certainly done their best as concerns publicity. Bradman started making jolly, friendly speeches right-.awa'y.; and his colleagues joined him in free, talks with cricket writers. Old-timers, were suspicious, and one of "them offered : Bradman a bet that he would not be able to say, at the end of the tour, that he had succeeded in maintaining the friendly relations with the English Press which he had so frankly sought at the start. Bradman not only accepted the bet, but. announced it at a public luncheon!

Middlesex, with such youngsters as Compton and Edrich, and a fine assortment of amateurs, look like being the best county in the south, and they may lay a serious challenge to Yorkshire this year for the championship. But.. . the Tests overshadow everything. Nottingham is already bonked vp to overflowing for the first.