TEST CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1924, Page 7

TEST CRICKET.

NEWSPAPER OPINIONS. IN ENGLAND AND AUSTRALIA. 3Y CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT 7 (Received Dec. 29, 1.45 p.m}) ’ . LONDON, Dec. 28. Having taken it for granted that Australia would win the first test, the newspapers have been discussing the remedies. The Daily Express editorially says: “The lesson is that we cannot win by batting alone. Gilligan will hardly venture again to take, the field minus Douglas, Kilner or Tyldesley. A doubt held before sailing concerning the adequacy of the team’s howling is unshaken after this thrilling, if disappointing contest.” The Daily Herald emphasises the need for including Douglas and Kilner, who are also good batsmen. (Received Dec. 29, 1.25?'p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 29. - Gilligan states that he is confident regarding the remaining tests. He had no doubt, that the Englishmen had the greater shale of the bad luck throughout the match. He added that the} English batting did not come up to expectations, but lie was unable to account. for their failbre He was well satisfied with the bowling and more than satisfied with their fielding. Collins said the Australian superiority was hot so great as it looks. There' must be a tightening up, especially in the fielding, if Australia ns to retain the ashes. PRAISE FOR . ENGLAND. (Received Dec. 29, 1.20 p.m.) • SYDNEY, Dec. 29. I The Herald, commenting on the test cricket, says: “The excellence of Free-: man’s foi’in was as unexpected as itwas gratifying, especially to the comrades of the little “bosie” howler. Woolley’s innings was a model one, almost devoid of defensive play; since the batsman and not the bowler was the attacking party. The feat of Woolley’s represented the sixth- individual century score of .the, match} and the. second occasion on which , the bril-. liant left-hander has reached three figures in test cricket. That little feat is worth notice, because left-handed centuries are rarities among English batsmen, C. Mead being- the only other left-hander to make a century for 1 England in a test, against Australia. England’s wonderful aehieveinent of scoring 411 in the last innings established ;a new record in test cricket, the prevous highest’ being 370.' To get so many funs in the fourth innings of a test match running into the ninth day from the commencement of play on a wicket oh which 1200 runs had already bben made was really a remarkable performance, and provided a stimulating compensation for the beaten side.” ENGLISH BATTING INCONSISTENT (Received Dec. 29, 3.D> p.m.) < LONDON, Dec. 28. Commenting on the test match, The Times’ cricket 'exftert says: “The result was in; real doubt, since the Australians always held a commanding lead-j v .JEnglq,nd "'.accomplished''- a great feat in making 411, but there' is no disguising the severity of the defeat: The; cause is. plain for everyone to see. Our; batting, though in individual cases superb, was dreadfully uneven, whereas that of -.the Australians was consistency itself.” ■’ , ’