English Cricket Revival

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1938, Page 5

English Cricket Revival

(Received 10 a.m.) LONDON. June 11. The former English international, J. B. Hobbs, in the “Star,” says that if there is no rain during the week-end it will probably be impossible to dismiss Australia twice and win. The match so far is generally acclaimed as a triumph for English cricket. The “Sunday Graphic” states that Hammond ought to have declared at lunch time, an opinion with which the “Sunday Despatch” disagrees. The latter regards England’s position as being impregnable, chiefly duo to Hammond’s leadership.

Australian Fielding Wilts. The former Australian wicket-keep-er, W. A. Oldfield, criticises Bradman’s placing of the field, stating that he should have instructed the bowlers to bowl to their field. He states that the Australian fielding throughout the day was ragged. Other critics pay tribute to Hutton, Compton and Paynter, who have given England new heart, and to the Australian opening batsman, Brown, who displayed grace and doggedness. The correspondent of the Australian Associated Press says: “Australia will need all its fighting qualities in order to make a draw. Australia opened its innings when the light began to get fussy, and thus got the worst end of the stick.”

. Wright Worries Bradman. Bradman’s dismissal was the turn-ing-point of the day. It is rare to see a leg-break bowler worrying him. Wright, whose selection caused some surprise, several times did so. Bradman never had quite his usual amount of assurance. Moreover, there was something more in Sinfield than the Australians are prepared to admit. Paynter’s glorious comeback and the performance of Compton, following Hutton’s 100, suggest that a new generation of batsmen has really arisen. It need only be said, that some of the Australian fieldsmen with reputations failed to preserve them, in this match.