England's Prospects in First Test

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 287, 4 December 1936, Page 7

England's Prospects in First Test

Australian Team Better REVIEW BY HOBBS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. SYDNEY, Dec. 3. Reviewing England’s prospects for the first Test, J. B. Hobbs says that though England showed improved form against Queensland, they did not meet the Test team, and much depends' on whether they can master O’Reilly. “I believe there must come an end to the time when such bowlers as Chipperlield and Ward can terrorise our batsmen,” says Hobbs. “Australia has a powerful batting side. Probably their first five are stronger than England’s in the aggregate, but-1 suggest there is little , among tho last six in each team. On paper, England has a slight pull in these six, but the tailenders have shaped so badly against the slow leg-break bowlers that Australia’s tail batsmen will probably get more runs than England’s. “If Hammond and Leyland can score as many as Bradman ad McCabe, England might spring a surprise, because Australia’s other batsmen have not had as much experience in Tests between England and Australia. "If Hammond and Leyland can score as many as Bradman and McCabe, England might spring a surprise, because Australia’s other batsmen have not had as much experience in Tests between England and Australia. “Allen has had an unlucky experience up to now, injuries having prevented him from getting a -settled team together. The dice have been loaded against him. Australia’s fielding is good, and they have a slight advantage behind the ■wicket. I remember at this stage last tour, Jardine w-as not settled about his batting order, but England won 'be Ashes. If I must give a candid opininion, I think that Australia is better than England, and I will be satisfied if we give a good showing and run them close.

"It is possible that Allen may mak6 Worthington one of the opening batsmen instead of Fagg, because though Fagg has not Worthington’s aggressiveness, he looks safer against the slow bowling. Fames and Voce will not both be played. Voce has not been bowling with anything like his old devil. Fames, also, has failed to show fire, but of the two I should put him in. England can depend on Verity as a stock bowler. ” Slow-Bowling Complex. Macartney, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, says he "thinks that England will find her task too great on a good wicket. O’Eeilly will be the chief danger, and Ward and C’hipperfield: will do most of the worrying. Judging by the attitude of the English batsmen to the slow bowling, these three should provide sufficient attack. .Nevertheless, a splendid opening partnership between Barnett and Fagg against Queensland has at least given some ground for the belief that mastery has come of the slow-bowling complex. Personally,” he says, ‘‘l am sceptical whether it has. More convincing evidence is needed from Fagg.” Macartney thinks the English team will be as follows: Allen, Hammond, Fagg, Barnett,...Amos, Leyland,. Worthington, ftobins, Sims, Verity, Voce. He adds that the continual failure of the middle batsmen has made the selection difficult.

The team he named, Ire states, would be as strong a batting side as is possible on current form, and the bowling would include all varieties and paces. Hobbs selects the following as tho probable English eleven in batting order: Barnett, Fagg,. llampond,. Leylaud, Ames, Fishlock, Worthington, Allen, Robins, Verity, Fames; with Sims twelfth.

Chapman on Prospects LONDON, Dec. 2. A. P. F. Chapman, in an ..article- it the Daily Mail, says: I am not .despondent about the failure of the M.C.C. men in Australia. I always felt that their earlier batting was too bad to be true, especially against the slow bowlers, but I felt sure they would some day find the form on whieh they were selected. The spell now seems to be broken, and the result of the first Test will probably surprise the English public. A team composed of Fagg, Barnett, Hammond, Leylaiid, 'Worthington, Fishlock, Ames, Robins, Allen, Verity, anTi Fames or Voce should win. Bradman, who will depend on spin bowlers, is probably in for the surprise of his life. England should make a huge score.” England’s Choice for First Test Received Friday, 12.5 a.m. BRISBANE, Dec. 3. The English team for the first Test is: Allen (captain), Barnett. Fagg, Hammond, Leyland, Ames, Worthington, Robins, Sims, Verity. Voce, Hardstaff. The twelfth man will be selected in the morning as will be the case with the Australians. The weather prospects are reported to be excellent and the wicket is perfect.