CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 23 November 1928, Page 6

CRICKET

FIRST TEST PROSPECTS

CRITICS AT HOME HAVE GAME WON.

(Unit'?! Press Association —Bt Eleetiic

telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, Nov. 20

.The news apers have virtually won the first test match on the strength of England’s victory over an Australian eleven. Posters in the blackest of types informed London: “Australians skittled.”

The critics arc busily pointing out the superiority of the English team, apparently overlooking the fact that the Australian eleven was not precisely tlie Brisbane tost team.

The “Evening Standard ’ sporting diarist says: “Australia seems to have selected the tost team on the basis or what the M.C.C. has done. Before lie met Hammond, Jardine, Hemlrcn and company, Blackie was declared to he Australia’s best bowler. Where is he now? Likewise where are llartkopf, Scott, Nicholls and Hooker?” The “Evening News,” in its first edit.oril, headed “Sunshine from Australia,” says: “England won by fierce determination to win, relentless attack bull by hall, and grim obduracy in defence.” The paper adds: “It must be remembered that the Australian eleven contained the best of the youthful Australian batting, as well as all-round ability. Bowling that is capable of shifting such an eleven twice for 474 will subdue the Australian critics, who were inclined to under-rate it.” A Sandman says: “The team work necessary for such a win disposes of the ridiculous stories of snobbery and bad feeling.” Tn the midst of the general panegyric •T. W. TT. T. Douglas, a former English captain, warns Englishmen that there were important omissions from the Australian eleven, which could not he regarded as representative. “Nevertheless, it makes me hopeful,” he adds.

P. F. Warner regards the win with pleasure. “But the, more I Took at the names of the Australian team, the more T realise how powerful is the hatting, while the howling has variety. However, f fancy that we have a superiority in fielding, especially in the slips.” STAPLES GOING HOME. BOWLER IN BAD HEALTH. SYDNEY, Nov. 21. S. J. Staples, the English cricketer, will return to England by the Ormonde on Tuesday, owing to ill-health, without having howled a ball against the Australians.