CRICKET ASHES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 18 August 1934, Page 5

CRICKET ASHES

FINAL TEST PROSPECTS The Oval Rough and Bare ENGLAND’S ADVANTAGE (Received 18, 10.50 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17. The Australian Press Association says that the drought has left the Oval rough and bare. It presents a hideous appearance owing to huge canvas screens erected to block pirate photographers from outside, while the ground is plastered with notices ofi'oring a reward of £1 a head for detectors of pirate cameramen inside the ground from tho firm which has purchased the exclusive photographic rights. lhe general impression is that the game will lust five days, Jardine thinks the wicket will last for a week. Wyatt should be able to keep up a continuous fust attack, and this gives Englund an advantage. Tho selectors announce that Hendren has a severely bruised arm, which will prevent him from playing in tho Test. Walters is fit. Woolley has been invited to attend at the Oval. The final selection will be made on the morning of the match.

Mr Bushhy states that treatment has so improved Wall that there is a faint hope of him playing. His doctor will decide to-morrow.

Bromley, following tho extraction of teeth, has renewed symptoms of appendicitis, and was taken to Shields Hospital to-day for observation.

The Australians, with the exception of Grimmett and Wall—the absence ot the latter indicating that he is unlikely to be available—practised at tho Oval m sultry weather, which is likely Io continue. Bradman batted freely. He seems to be completely recovered. fho Australian Press Association, reviewing tho final Test prospects, says that the teams, on paper, look fairly even but the psychological factors appear to favour tho visitors. There still persists in England the idea that because the match is limitless the Australians will necessarily dig-in in an attempt to win by attrition. The Englishmen, if obsessed with that idea, must follow the Australians’ imaginary suit, which will be doing a good turn to () Reilly and Grimmett.

WOOLLEYS DRAMATIC’ RECALL.

Mr. Bushby, manager of the Australian team, says there is no chance of Wall playing. The dramatie recall of Woolley, who played in tho Oval Test in 1912, is everywhere hailed with delight. It is generally felt that although he played in his first Test before some of the Australians were born, ho is just ns dashing and of tho typo to knock tho bowlers off their length. Woolley celebrated tho invitation by scoring )()0 out of 140 in 63 minutes. He hit three sixers and fifteen fours. Critics are unanimous that much depends on the toss. The wicket is covered and will bo guarded throughout the night.

Exceptional interest is being taken in the Test and advance bookings for seats have been exceptionally heavy. It is expected that Wall will be replaced b.v the second Australian fast bowler, Ebeling, and that Darling’s place will bo taken by Kippax. England’s chief hope is her fast bowling, which, despite the achievements in previous Tests, still creates tho suggestion that it is the only form of attack likely to cause the least disturbance to Australia, unless .Verity gets a favourable pitch.

The “Mirror’’ states that Peebles is reported to have perfected a mystery delivery similar to 'the ba.ll with which Grimmett and Fleetwood-Smith arc supposed to have experimented before tho tour. It is of tho googly type but bowled with the left arm. Peebles developed it when playing club cricket in Scotland, and gained many wickets.

The Notts secretary, Mr Brown, states that no communication on Voce’s non-playing on Tuesday has been received from Maryleboue or the selectors and no committeeman has resigned or desires to resign. Carr’s press statements were purely personal and made without the knowledge or approval of the committee. Mr Brown adds that the committee will consider the subject next week. RAIN NOT EXPECTED (Received 18, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17. The weather forecast for tho" Test i.i “fair and warm, probably intermittent sunshine.” Rain is not expected. ( queue was formed at the Oial at 6 o’clock Inst evening, and 'therewere over 60 present by midnight. They were mostly professional querers. The screens Blocking the view from houses adjacent to tho Oval were removed as tho result of tho tenants’ protests and assurances that they tvould not permit cinematographers to operate from the balconies.