CRICKET TESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 269, 13 October 1932, Page 7

CRICKET TESTS

WILL BRADMAN PLAY? QUESTION STILL UNSETTLED. ENGLISHMEN’S OPINION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 13, 10.20 a.m. SYDNEY, Oct. 13.

The chairman of the Cricket Board of Control, Mr Bobcrtson, stated that Bradman had told the board that he would not write for the Press, but Bradman emphatically denies this.

It is uncertain whether Bradman will play for the Australian eleven in Perth. Excursion trains are contemplated from as far as Ivalgoorlio for the fixture, but the Railway Department is not advertising tho time-tables until it is known whether Bradman will be playing. , A message from the Orontes, the vessel by which the English team is travelling, says that the Englishmen regard Bradman as certain to play.

■THE ENGLISH ELEVEN. A. W. CARR’S OPINION. Mr A. W. Carr, in an interview with tho London Evening Standard, prior to the sailing of the English XI., expressed the opinion that England has a good prospect of bringing home the “Ashes.” “Duleepsinhji’s absence is hound to make an enormous difference in the batting,” he said. “Even so, I think the side is capable of making a lot of runs. In bowling it is strong. Bowes is a valuable reinforcement. Allen and Brown are gambles. Personally, I would not send Allen. There is only one test wicketkeeper, Duckworth; but his batting may keep him out of the team.” MR WARNER INTERVIEWED.

Mr P. F. Warner, in an exclusive interview with the Morning Post, said: —“I honestly believe that there is more than an even chance of recovering the ‘Ashes.’ , 4 Two bogeys must be lutd. Even Bradman is mortal, and must make a small score occasionally, while Grimmett is more effective in England than Australia. I find it hard to believe he is quite the matchwinner of his prime. Grimmett and the rest of the Australian bowlers look like haying a pretty problem to tackle. We can ensure brilliant batting to No. 7, for instance, Sutcliffe, Leyland, Hammond, the Nawab of Pataudi, Jardine, Ames and Wyatt. One of the difficulties will be to sort out our bowling. Fortunately, there will be a number of matches before the first Test. Some think 17 in a team too many, but it is better to have too many reserves than too few.

“Those disappointed at not playing in the early matches should remember that Leyland, on the last tour, did not play in the first four Tests, but refused to he down-hearted. He got his chance in the final Test, and took it. The choice of a partner for Sutcliffe may be between' Leyland and Wyatt. Everyone is agreed that Jardine is too magnificent a block of concrete at No. 5 to ho put in first. One thing is certain —the team are wonderful triers, and only the selectors know the care taken in choosing the team. FAST BOWLERS.

Mr J. A. H. Catton, writing in the Evening Standard, says that the Australians would know more about velocity of projectiles after studying Allen, Bowes, Larwood, and Voce. No English right-hand fast bowler had had such figures as Bowes 190 wickets at an average cost of 15 runs since Tom. Richardson’s day. Bowes was goifag to a land where fast bowlers lost reputations, but has as much chance of success tliere as Gregory and McDonald. DULEEPSINHJI’S ABSENCE.

The Times says: “Both here and in Australia the absence of Duleepsinhji will he rogretted. The addition of Bowes will not compensate for his loss, but it is on the cards that the bowling of Bowes may have a marked effect on the results. Jardine will command a well-balanced selection of the cleverest batsmen, bowlers, and wicket-keepers now playing in English cricket. The Daily Mail says: “Perhaps it is too much to hope that the team will do as well as Chapman’s side in 1928-9. While both sides are strong in batting, the bowling element in each case is largely an untested factor.” FAREWELL DINNER.

“Your prospects are bright, but the mangitude of your task must not be under-estimated,” declared Lord Lewisham, at the M.C.C. dinner at Lord’s, from which Tate and the Nawab of Pataudi were the only absentees. “It is characteristic of an Englishman to decry a team, and to pour criticism on those chosen,” he said, “but there has been very little adverse criticism of this combination. You leave your country knowing that the best men have been selected. Your opponents will give nothing away. The climate will impose a severe test on your stamina, discipline, and goodwill. Luck may play a great part. We have had our share of bad luck, but because of the strength of the team, I look forward to your success.” The captain of the team, D. R. Jardine, replied:—“We are a happy band of men of experience and enthusiasm ~ blended together, who will win because we think we can.’’ Mr P. F. Warner, the team’s manager, said: “Whether we win or lose we will play the game, and do something, in a small way, to bind our great countries'.”

Mr Warner, broadcasting before the dinner, said that the Australians were such great cricketers and great fighters that it would be foolish of him to say that England was going to win; but England possessed a fine, well-balanced, fit side and had every hope of making Australia play all out. “Tho 1928-29 team, in winning four out of the five Tests, was responsible for a magnificent performance, which the present team could not hope to repeat,” he said; “but when the great fight is over, perhaps we shall he able to say that we have won tlo ‘Ashes,’ even if only by three tests to two.” MR WARNER’S ROLE.

Close English observers note that all of Mr Warner’s recent public references to the tour contain some humorous mention of his role as a non-com-batant stationed well behind the firing line. Mr Warner is a most astute propagandist. These implied disclaimers of any active part in directing the teams’ affairs in the field may, therefore, be taken as a reply to suggestions made that in Australia there may ho some danger of captaincy from the pavilion. The tourists are taking Mr Warner's tattered, silken red and gold M.C.C. flag, which is 30 years ola, and which has never flown over a lost English cause, though it has been used on numerous overseas tours, including Mr Warner’s 1903 and J9ll side in Australia. It has also been to South Africa and the Argentine, and flew at the Oval when England regained the “Ashes” in. 1926.