MANN TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND IN 1ST TEST

Northern Advocate, 30 May 1949, Page 7

MANN TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND IN IST TEST

LONDON, Sun. (11 a.m.).—The English test selection committee announced that F. G. Mann, of Middlesex, would captain England in the first test match against New Zealand beginning at Leeds on June 11. , . , , ~ The following four, players also had been selected for the first test: L. Hutton (of Yorkshire), C. Washbrook (Lancashire), D. Compton (Middlesex) and A. V. Bedser (Surrey).

The following teams will represent North and South in the test trial beginning at Birmingham on June 1: North: F. R. Brown (captain, of Northamptonshire), R. T. Simpson (Nottinghamshire), D. V. Brennan (Yorkshire), W. E. Hollies (Warwickshire), D. Brookes and V. Broderick (Northamptonshire), C. Gladwin (Derbyshire), A. Wharton (Lancashire), R. Aspinall, F. A. Low'son and D. B. Close (Yorkshire). South:, F. G. Mann (captain.), W. J. Edrich,. J. Young and J. D. Robertson (Middlesex), T. E. Bailey (Essex), T. G. Evans and F. Ridgway (Kent), A. Watkins find W. E. Jones (Glamorganshire), R. O. Jenkins (Worcestershire), D. J. Fletcher (Surrey). Reuters says the teams chosen for the North-South cricket trial suggest that the selection committee is looking to the 1950-51 Australian tour. Its first concern is to find a team capable of defeating New Zealand. It is encouraging to see Bailey, Wharton and Jones among the newcomers as all three are vigorous batsmen. Tire North side contains two promising Yorkshire colts—Lowson and Close, who came into the county side from League cricket. Jack Hobbs doubts whether England can pick a test team to beat TSlew Zealand in three days. Under equal, and reasonably good pitch conditions, he says, the prospect

of a series of draws stands out. a mile for the simple reason that, roughly speaking, the batting is ahead of the bowling. Wallace stands second in the English batting averages with 11 innings, 835 runs at 75.90 each. Above him is John Langridge, from Sussex, who in 9 innings has made 625, with an average of 78.12. Next come Lester and Wharton, with an average of 75 each, then Dogcart 63.22. Fagg 63.14 and Hutton 62. The next New Zealander appears in 23rd position. He is Reid, whose 188 ! not out at Cambridge, gives him an average of 45.66. Hadlee is 25th with 44.44, then Donnelly 41.33, Scott 29.70, Rabone 27.80 and Sutcliffe 25.70.

The English bowling averages are headed by Aspinall, 133 overs, 32 maidens, 289 runs, 30 wickets, average

9.63. Then comes A. V. Bedser, 229, 74, 391, 31, 12.61, and Roberts 290, 134, 409, 27, 15.10. Rabone appears as the first New Zealander in lO.th position, with 88, 21, 228, 13, 17.03.

The 11th is Burtt, 266, 93, 632, 36, 17.55. Hayes is 15th with 123, 33, 257, 13, 19.76. Cowie is 19th, 69, 10, 186, 9, 20.66, then Cave, 194, 62, 395, 18, 21.94 and Cresswell, 196, 57, 479, 17, 28.17. Bailey has taken most wickets —39, or three more than Burtt. Perks has 37.