WILL ENGLAND RETAIN THE ASHES?

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 223, 16 August 1930, Page 8

WILL ENGLAND RETAIN THE ASHES ?

With honours even in two tests, the third and fourth drawn, the fifth which will decide whether Australia is to regain the coveted Ashes commenced at the Oval to-day. Prior to the Australians’ arrival in the Homeland English, cricket writers were hopeful of their eleven maintaining their supremacy, which was so marked in Australia in 1929; but their displays in the second, third and fourth tests (have altered the early opinions. The consequence is tffat the selectors have been confronted with the problem of finding the best possible eleven to represent England, and in the process have created a first class sensation by omitting the test captain, Chapman, whose inspiring leadership has been acclaimed many times as a great factor in England’s retention of the Ashes. Tiie selectors’ action recalls the case of .Carr in 1926. He led England in four tests, in the last of which he was taken ill. In the fifth he was replaced by Chapman and it was his complaint that he had not received fair treatment. Since then Chapman has been an outstanding figure in English ci’icket, and though his batting ability may not be pronounced he is a brilliant field and a great leader who can inspire confidence in his men. Can his successor Wyatt exhibit these latter qualities ? He is certainly a keen cricketer and a sound batsman, but his leadership has yet to be tested against sucii an eleven as Australia will field. Opinion among cricket writers is sharply divided, just as it is said the selectors were in choosing their team. The correspondent of the Australian Press Association considers that the 1 ‘panickv selectors have dug England s cricket grave,” while the opposite view is that of Mr A. C. Maclaren who says the •'selection committee should be commended, not condemned. One fact, however, is outstanding—the match from the English aspect will be played in an atmosphere of hysteria and this is to be regretted. It shov s that too muclYcan be made of test matches and that a healthy spirit of rivalry can be converted into a battle for supremacy. That is not ci’icket.