CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 25 May 1926, Page 7

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR, SELECTING THE ENGLISH TEAM. It is most- unfortunate that such wretched weather conditions have attended each of the matches so far played. With the time limited to three (.lays, if play is slow, its is almost unavoidable on a wet or slow wicket, the chances of a conclusion are not great, -id this has been proved by the lirst three matches, all drawn. It must be assumed that it is only human nature to throw away no chance of winning by taking risks in scoring when conditions are adverse. No doubt, however, from the spectators’ point of view the game, where risks are taken and the pace,, forced a little, is most attractiveIt is noteworthy that several of the Australians, notably Ponsford, Macartney, Woodful], tire gory and Richardson, appear to have been able to adapt themselves quickly to the changed conditions and to have found their best form almost at once. The result has been several great displays of batting, and much line bowling which has been discomfiting to the English batsmen. They serve also to indicate that the team, even under conditions to which they are unaccustomed, is going to be as hard to heat as ever, and that England will have to get out her very best if she is to ; recover those famous mythical ashes. _ They have been much superior to the teams met- so far, and none of the English players acknowledged as chant pious have done a great deal in batting. The bowling of some of the English .players has been, on occasions better than the batting. Falcon, Haig and Kennedy are three who on their bowling were considered possibly to be in the running for test honours. The M.C.C. match, as well as the North and South matches, are all in the nature of trials, and it must be acknowledged that the result of the firstnientioned has been a disappointment to supporters of the Homeland team. One does not wish it to win by any element o-f luck if it is not good enough to win on its merits, but one does look forward to seeing close, strenuous contests, with luck as even as may be. If under such conditions England can win it would be a result approved even by the most outright supporters of the Australians. The ’varsity teams might, either of them, put up a good fight with the visitors. They would be all young players, full of the fire of young manhood. ami not worrying overmuch of averages. Much was expected of Dulee-psiohji, nephew of the famous Eanjitsinhji. Tie has made many fine scores, and shown a good deal of the skill and artistry of his great uncle in making his scores. He had a. batting average in the previous season of 19 for 21 innings. He made somewhat of a sensation in the freshmen’s match last year by just, failing to get his century and following it up with 40 not out. Wisden is very outspoken in his favour, and says, inter alia, _ that “an injured arm limited his skill in cutting, or Duleepsinhji might have approached more nearly to the exceptional standard of his uncle.” F.nthoven, the Cambridge captain, says Wisden in 1926. “njight be described as the most improved all-round cricketer in England. He increased his wickets from 17 to 60. and raised his batting average from 24 to 52 for 19 innings. Making his second hundred in university matches in the year following his first, he surpassed the achievement of Yarclley, who scored 100 in 1870 and 130 in 1872.” A tribute to the strength of Cambridge last season was the selection of four of the team —Enthovein Dawson, Shcrwcll and Duleepsinhji —to play for the Gentlemen v. Players. 'This rare 'Jistiaction, it is noted, had occurred previously only in 1865 and in 1878. when A. G. Steel, A. P, Lucas, Alfred 'Lyttelton and E. Lyttelton, membei| of an unbeaten ’varsity eleven, were chosen. Three of those four stood high later in English cricket. It would be a remarkable feat if one of the present te am should secure test honours.

The greatest interest will he felt i»* the match against the South of England next Wednesday, for it is a verystrong and all-round team, and contains some who are very likely test players. They should put up a great struggle against the visitors. Anticipation will be high at the appearance of C. 11. Gibson, a howler •of whom the greatest results are expected. He has recently returned from the Argentine, where his father is a hig landed proprietor.- Like Chapman, he was out with Maclaren’s team, and that great player had of him a very high opinion. * Enthusiasts will look forward- eagerly to see how he shapes. Fender, besides being one of the best all-rounders in England, was second choice for England’s captain. He had a batting average last season of 30. and was easily Surrey’s best bowler, getting 124 wickets, 50 more than the next on the list. .Tardine, another Surrey mail, was well up in the averages, and Strudwjck is- Sursey’s incomparable ’keeper. C. Parker was easily the best bowler for Gloucester, and Wisden calls him “about the most consistent lefthander. since 1919. in England.” He ended the season with 200 wickets for -14.63 runs each after a season in the previous- year when ho claimed 206 wickets at 14.75 each. He is also a fair batsman.

It will thus he seen that, judged 011 English perform a nees. the South team 'includes several very likely test players. and is a trying -out of s€Voml others whn. c e flaims to inclusion are worth consideration. Their performance against a team which is rapidly playing itself into English conditions and proving rcadilv adaptable will he followed with much interest. As the first test begins on .Time 12. there is not a great deal of time to decide. The selectors will he watching the players in this match on Wednesday verv closely.