HOBBS’S BOOK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 287, 1 November 1934, Page 2

HOBBS’S BOOK

‘'FIGHT FOll THE ASHES.” BODY-LINE BOWLING. G. Harrap and Co., Ltd., have published Jack Hobbs’s book, “The Fight for the Ashes.” He gives a critical account of the whole tour, and quotes full statistics and Mr W. Ferguson’s stroke diagrams of big innings. In an introduction, Hobbs says: “England went through the whole series of Tests without the lifelp of the men who did most to win the Ashes in Australia. This statement is not made as an excuse for defeat. To what extent England suffered by the loss of the finest captain and the most dangerous attack in existence can only be left to the imagination, but I am confident, knowing, as 1 do, the Australian temperament, their players would much rather have won the Ashes at the expense of England’s best eleven. The true ‘dinkum Aussie’ loves a light. This series of Tests was never a real fight, because with Jardine,- Larwood, and Voce out of the combat, the odds were on Australia from the start. Beyond any shadow of doubt, Australia deserved to will. Bodyline bowling is hated by Australians just as much as I hate it. BODY-LINE DEFINED.

“There is much confused thinking about body-line bowling. Only those who saw Larwood and Voce in action in Australia have any idea what is meant by body-line. It cannot be compared with Hirst’s or F. It. Foster’s bowling. It is a short bumping ball at the man with a leg-field set, to which I—and I think Australians — take strong objection. I have heard lots of people say that if England had had Larwood and Voce and body-line bowling, she would have retained the Ashes. Probably this is quite true. I prefer to say that I would have given anything to soe us win. by orthodox bowling which carries no recriminations, accusations, or uproar. Clearly, the M.C.C. must do something apart from framing admirable telegrams. Otherwise, all fast bowlers will bump, and cricket will not be worth playing. “I do not think for a minute that the Australians were as good a side as many they hake sent in the pa.st, but they gere too good for England, who, on good wickets, never looked like going through them. There is no doubt that England was beaten by the better side. The best thing I can say is, 'Well done, Australia, but watch out for us next tour.’ I am optimist enough to think we can get together a side to beat Australia then. Our great stumbling block is Bradman. He is too good ; he is an absolute host in himself.” THUMBNAIL SKETCHES. Hobbs’s thumbnail sketches contain the following :—“Woodfull: One of the best opening batsmen in the world. Bradman: Amazing. In a class alone. Ponsford: Famous as Woodfull’s partner: Oldfield: A great wicketkeeper in every sense. Wail: A great-hearted fast bowler. The best in Australia. Grimmett: His slow bowling is wonderfully good. O’Reilly: The best medium-pace right-arm bowler in the world. Ebeling: lam rather surprised that he did not get in more Tests. Darling: A graceful, forcing style. McCabe : Australia’s best all-rounder. Bromley: A dashing bat, a useful bowler, and a brilliant field. Kippax: Oiie of the most stylish batsmen Australia has produced. Brown : He has a brilliant future. He has the big match temperament. He is a magnificent field. Barnett: A good bat. Chipperfield : A great**' all-rounder. FleetwotodSmith,: His googlies are extremely difficult'to spot. He is a good slip field.”