FORM OF AUSTRALIANS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 August 1926, Page 6

FORM OF AUSTRALIANS.

SEVERAL DISAPPOINTMENTS. CRITICISM OF PLAYERS. LONDON, Aug. 21. The close of the final test is the most fitting time to review: the conditions of the Australian) team. It can authoritatively he stated that the majortiy will he well pleased 1 .when the tour ends. There is a unanimous feeling that the tour has involved overmuch travel, also that the programme has been over-lengthy. The; games' yet to he played are hy no mean® inconsequent ; op two or three occasions they will he asked to meet team® virtually up to the English test standard. This is regarded as unfair at the close of a strenuous tour.

There are no disagreements among the players, who may he credited as a more or less happy family, hut there are certain subjects of distinct disagreement between the players and the manager. There were several disappointmnets in the form displayed hy the Australians during the tour. Everett did not- impress at the outset. Owing to leg trouble he was out of .action in many matches. At one time suggestions were made that new players should bo brought from Australia to make good the deficiency owing to illhealth. It was also suggested that Murray, the South Australian, when in London, should be asked to help. The recovery of Everett and Hendry obviated this, and also gave rest to the others. Taylor was most brilliant in the Held, but failed at the bat. Gregory was never deadly as a bowler, for -when he had a suitable wicket he failed to make tho ball fly. Even in the field he was not the wonder of previous seasons. Ho failed to electrify tho crowd but, as a batsman, often came with a fine score at the right time. Macartney was easily the most outstanding, a subject of equal comment w-ith England's idol, Hobbs. Woodfull was most successful with the bat and in the Held. Ponsford was a run-getter, but -was weak in the field. Richardson was not as successful as anticipated. Mailey was still vigorous. Grimmett obviously was suitable for Australian wickets, but proved useful. Oldfield is still unequalled as a keeper. Andrews was admirable in the field, but inconsistent with tho bat. Ryder would have been more successful had he played a natural game instead of pottering about. ley justified his selection, saving Australia in the second test. 110 confounded every critic. Collins is far from enjoying good health. Ho had a difficult task owfing to tho weakness of the bowling and tho number of players not being up to standard in the field. The team was by no means equal to many previously sent to England. It is obvious that could the selectors put back the clock there -would be many radical alterations. PLAYERS' GRIEVANCES., TENDING TO LACK OF HAEMONTLONDON, Aug. 21. It is reported that there are several grievances among the visiting players. For example, except when the tgsts were played, and on a few' other special occasion's, the team had to find its w r ay to the ground from the hotels in any old way. The players say that taxis should be provided, as for the tests, and that the board should pay. Several go so far as to say that if it is a question of expense*, the manager should consider that aspect and dispense with

an assistant. They say that this was unnecessary throughout the whole tour. Even if necessary at the beginning, in order to overtake correspondence, they point out that Laver had no assistance, and besides managing played himself in. over thirty games. It was suggested among the players that a "round robin” should be signed _ asking Mr Smith to dispense with his assistant. Others, while agreeing, pointed out tliat it was no business of the players, but rather of the Board of Control. Another question tending to disharmony, in fact, the Australians’ reputation suffered considerably; thereby, was the manner in which their hosts have been treated’. On numerous occasions more were absent than present. They say that this is damaging to tlieir reputation, and that there is every likehood that less hospitality will be shown to subsequent teams. It is also felt that the. invitaion from, the Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, and members of Parliament should never have been declined. This is regarded as the highest honour and its refusal lias been the subject of considerable comment in certain quarters. The team feels that the board should place this question on a definite footing, because if the invitations had been accepted they should have attended. Much was also heard about their wives not travelling with them. This prohibition was felt keenly. One player, whose wife intended visiting with relatives, considered! that the restriction should have been definitely withdrawn, especially in view of the fact that there was nothing to prevent the players going from place to place with their mo. ther-m-law, aunt, or any womoen friends from Australia who may have been visiting England. Two members of the board did not obey their own decision. One brought his wife, and the other hi s' wife and two daughters. The team is unanimous that there have been too many matches. In the opinion of Australian officials now in England, the programme should have been curtailed and players given . a longer rest between the tests. The present tour was a case of packing their bags and rushing to the cricket grounds. The tour financially was a great success, despite the loss of days due to rain. The receipts will probably bei greater than in 1921. The profits will not be big, owing to increased expenditure.

YOUTH MUST BE SERVED

AN AUSTRALIAN’S COMMENTS,

LONDON, Aug. 22,

Mr. Davis, editor of the Sydney Referee, writes to the Observer: “At last the domination by the Armstrong and Collins combinations have been definitely .smashed, I use the term smashed purposely, because most of the players in Australia’s victories since 1920-21 are now on the eve of passing from international cricket. Youth must be served, though England may conserve Hobbs and Rhodes years longer than the greatest players have been retained in Australia. There is no disguising the fact that Australia’s most renowned exponents have passed their zenith, and the process of team building must begin anew before the next joust. Young Australia has yearned and pined for this day. “Now that the Oval match is a matter of history wo cannot heartily say the toss won the match. England won because the opening pair of batsmen surpassed themselves; because she had a. bowler of commanding skill on a wicket assisting the ball, whereas Australia did not possess a bowler or Rhodes’ class in similar conditions. I sincerely hope regaining the ashes will not create a feeling that all is well with English cricket. The victorious team was headed by battlc-Scarrcd vettrans. England has many promising youngsters who must bo trained to trained to succeed the veterans.” Mr. Davis suggests the need of the cricket authorities to move with the times, and provide four or five grounds with adequate accommodation for the public for test matches, and expresses the opinion that such would yield gates of £60,000 to £BO,OOO in four days. He concludes: “Finally, I trust England will agree to four-day and Australia to five-day tests.”

NATIONAL COACHES FOR PR OMI SING PLAYERS.

LONDON, Aug. 21. A suggestion that the Hoard of Control should appoint two national cricket coaches, Hobbs and Rhodes, is made by the Daily Express, which argues an interval of two years before England, sends another team to Australia is not long enough to find and develop talent. The’ board, bv careful organisation, could arrange that no young cricketer of promise should remain without a trial 'Once the talent is discovered the work of Hobbs and Rhodes would' begin.

THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS

LONDON, Aug. 21. His Majesty the King has sent a letter to the president of the Marylebone Club congratulating England on winning the ashes, and asking him to tell the Australians how he was impressed by their long run of triumphs. Has Majesty also ' appreciates-their formidable task in the last test match, on none too easy a wicket. BATTING AND BOWLING AVERAGES. LONDON, Aug. 21. The season's best batting and bowl-

ing averages arc: — Ave. Inn. N.O Runs. Hobbs 3,2 2 2315 77.16 Tyldesley .. 40 2 2415 67.08 Hendry 4 1 200 66.66 Woodfull .. . . . 28 4 145 60.58 Hcndren . . . . . . 42 9 1941 58.81 Chapman . . . . . 25 4 1211 57.66 Mead 40 6 1027 56.67 Macartnev . . . . 2G 8 1285 55.S6 Bardsley ... .. 20 2 1223 45.20 Hardinge ... .. 44 5 2001 54.23 Hearne . . 31 4 1384 51.25 Sandham . .. . . 30 2 1821 49.21 Ponsford . . . 21 3 775 41.94 Richardson . .. 25 7 654 36.33 Collins .. 20 1 BOWLING. 581 30.57 Runs. Wkts. Ave. Rhodes 108 14.30 Tyldesley . . ... 1760 111 15.03 Mercer ... 1021 110 16.14 Parkin . . . . (530 30 16.15 Macaulay ... ... 1085 118 16.82 Jupp ... 1088 100 16.8S Tate ... 2224 130 17.10 Macartnev .. .?. 805 47 17.12 Grimmctt .. . ... 1320 77 17.25 Larwood . . . ... 1058 112 17.48 Gregory was placed thii —28—33.75. tietli with 945