AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 63, 14 February 1939, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN TEAM.

DAVIS. CUP CONTEST.

FOUR PLAYERS SELECTED

Received February 14, 8.5 a.m. MELBOURNE, Feb. 13. The Australian Davis Cup team wus announced to-night as follows:—J. H. Crawford. J. K. Bromwich, A. K. Quist and H. Hopman The team sails for America on Alay 22.

The Australian selectors, Messrs N. E. Brookes, J. Clemenger, and C. K. >bl " so " a*ked the players seeded for the 1939 Australian championships whether they are available to go abroad this year. They are, in the order in which they have been seedcd, J. Bromwich, A. K. Quist, IJ. G. Bopman, J. 11. Crawford, I-.. E. Schwartz, V. B. McCrath, D. P. Turnbull, and J. I'll arper. , , The year may be a memorable one m the Davis Cup series, as, J. D. Budge having turned professional, it seems likely the trophy may pass from America (wrote Dr 0 11. McElhono in the Sydney Morning Herald recently). Australia has excellent prospects. J. Bromwich and A. E. Quist have assorted their claims beyond ' doubt. The form of V. B. McGrath (who has been omitted from the team) has been uis appointing for the past 12 months, lie met Crawford in the final of the first Australian bardcourt championship, and was beateh after winning the first two sets. lie met him again in the final of the State hardcourt championship at Dubbo and was again defeated. Ilis best display, though far from his true form, was his victory over J. Gilchrist in the metropolitan singles. J. H. Crawford has played consistently for some time, save for his one lapse at Strathfield; yet the Crawford of to-day cannot be compared with the Crawford who won international fame a few years ago. Much of his old artistry is apparent; still there is little “devil” and no great pace in liis shots when he opposes cither Quist or Bromwich. lie looks fitter than for some considerable period, and he is remarkably keen to rehabilitate himself.