ENGLISH CRICKET

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 237, 7 October 1938, Page 11

ENGLISH CRICKET

REVIEW OF THE SEASON H. T. BARTLETT A DISCOVERY YORKSHIRE CHAMPIONS (Own Correspondent.) LONDON, Sept. 1. A famous Australian captain has commented on the wealth of batting talent England has among her younger players. He is correct in his view that while we have few bowlers of outstanding ability, there is no lack of promising run-making material. Hutton, Compton and Edrich have already won their way into our test teams while in their early twenties, and there are others, like Gibb and Yardley, who are on the verge of the England eleven. One of the discoveries of the season has been H. T. Bartlett, the old Cambridge "blue,” now of Sussex. Seeing that in 31 innings he has scored 1348 runs with an average of 50, it Is to be regretted that a place could not be found for him In the team for South Africa, where his brilliant left-hand hitting would have created a furore, and almost certainly have added to the attractiveness of the tourists’ matches. Bartlett's crowning feat of the year came on Monday, when he scored 157 against the Australians, crediting himself the fastest century of the season, knocked up in 57 minutes. It is true he had to face neither O’Reilly nor Fleet-wood-Smlth; nevertheless, it was no mean feat to hit six 6’s and 18 4's agalhst the bowling of Ward, Waite and McCabe. At one time during the game it looked as if Sussex would be the first county to beat our vialtors, and they owed their escape from defeat mainly to a fine effort by the dependable Hassett. Truth to tell, the Australians, suffering from the aftermath of the Oval test, were not at their best, and one Imagines they will be heartily glad when the curtain is rung down on the tour. The number of their casualties is quite appalling. Bradman's ankle Injury will prevent his playing before he gets back to the Commonwealth and Flngleton is still out of action with a torn ligament. Chipperfield is recovering from an operation for appendicitis; and now Walker has splintered a bone in his finger. To add to these misfortunes, one or two of the players, notably McCabe and McCsrmick, are dead out of form. So it will not be surprising If our popular visitors suffer further defeats In the field of play before they sail for home. Yorkshire are again the county champions. In the late 'eighties Lord Hawke became captain of the side and proceeded to effect a purge amongst the players, some of whom, fine cricketers as they were, did not always live as carefully as they might. The county championship was won for the first time in 1893. In the 41 seasons that have followed Yorkshire has carried off the honour on no fewer than 19 occasions, eight of them since the war. The result of this year's competition was in doubt of this week. of York-