FIRST TEST TEAM

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 94, 30 November 1936, Page 3

FIRST TEST TEAM

THE AUSTRALIAN SIDE SYDNEY, November 25. The Australian selectors, Messrs D. Bradman, E. A. Dwyer, and N. Johnston, have chosen the following players to be in readiness for the first cricket Test at Brisbane on December 4:— D. G. Bradman (South Australia). W. A. Brown (Queensland). C. L. Badcock (South Australia). S. McChbe ’n.S’.W.) J. H. Fingleton (N.S.W.) A. G. Chipperfield (N.S.W.) R. H. Robinson (N.S.W.) W. J. O’Reilly (N.S.W.) W. A. Oldfield (N.S.W.) F. Ward (South Australia). E. L. McCormick (Victoria). M. W. Sievers (Victoria). The selection of the Victorian allrounder, Sievers, has caused some surprise. McCormick. McCabe, and Robinson are to submit to a medical examination.

So far the performance of the English cricketers in Australia has been disappointing. The team was badly beaten by New South Wales and in Sydney again on Tuesday just managed, almost wholly through the valiant efforts of Leyland, to force a draw against an Australian eleven. Neither side could strictly be termed a Test selection, but the Australians had the advantage of Bradman’s services, while Hammond, Barnett, and Allen, three stalwarts, stood down for England. In the playrihe Australians, however, were easily superior both with bat and ball. If Leyland had not come to light with a magnificent exhibition of fighting cricket at its best, the visitors would have been hopelessly defeated. The most obvious weakness in the English batting is the failure all along to cope with slow bowling, not of Australia’s recognised Test exponents, but of comparative newcomers, like Ward at Adelaide, Frederick at Melbourne, and Mudge at Sydney. Chipperfield can hardly be classed in the first flight, yet he took eight wickets in England’s first innings in the latest match. England’s own bowling so far has been as undistinguished as, with the exceptions of Hammond, Leyland, Barnett, and Robins, her batting. To anticipate, in consequence, further failure would not be justified. When players become used to Australian conditions and succeed in striking form, there may be a very different tale to tell. Neither side has yet shown itself in full strength, and not until the first Test match at Brisbane, which commences on December 4. will it be possible to get a fair idea of prospects.