ENGLISH CRICKET.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 227, 23 August 1928, Page 8

ENGLISH CRICKET.

OPINIONS GIVEN BY HOBBS

HAMMOND AND GREAT CATCHES.

MACDONALD’S BOWLING,

(United Service.)

Received August 23, 10.50 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 22. J. Hobbs, in a special article, says: “Despite his sensational performances against Surrey and Worcestershire, Hammond should not be regarded seriously as a great bowler. In Australia he would be an ordinary change bowler. I anticipate that his best feats will bo in batting and catching. He will probably make a lot of runs. There is no question that he is a remarkable catcher ; he seems to tako balls almost off the bat. Ho must have an eye like a hawk. His ton catches at Cheltenham yesterday week formed on extraordinary feat at second slip or in tho gully. Ilis bowling, however, was less sensational, for there was a dusty wicket. “Lancashire seem, certain to win the county championship by good batting. Tho eleven has made somo fine scores, but I think that the deciding factor in their success is MacDonald’s bowling. Without his performances, I doubt whether Lancashire would lie heading the list.” MacDonald is at present third on tho list of county averages with 165 wickets and an average of 18.58. Larwood and Freeman precede him.