New Captain For England

Northern Advocate, 18 July 1949, Page 5

New Captain For England

LONDON. Sun. (11 a.m.)—The English team to meet New Zealand in the third test, beginning at Manchester on Saturday, will be selected from the following 12 players: F. F,. Brown (captain), W. Edrich, T. Bailey, R. Simpson, D. Compton, L. Hutton, C. Washbrook. T'. Evans, W Hollies, J. Laker, L. Jackson, B. Close. Brown, Simpson, "Close. Laker and Jackson replace Mann, Watkins, Robertson, Young and Gladwin. In announcing that Brown would captain England, the selectors added that F. Mann was very doubtful if he would be available to play cricket next summer. “Brown has been invited to captain England in the remaining two tests, and Mann has been co-opted to the selection committee for the remainder of the season,” the statement adds. YOUNGEST PLAYER . The Daily Mail says .Brown’s selection as captain of the English team makes Brown the most likely captain of the MCC team to go to Australia in 1950-51. “That difficult task, and the immediate one of beating New Zealand, could not be in better amateur hands,” the paper adds. “Those who criticise Brown’s selection on the grounds of age—Brown is 28—don’t know the man.” He is as fit and as active as any cricketer in the first-class game. “If 18-year-old Brimi Close, Yorkshire all-rounder, who obwls right-arm off-spinners and swingers with the new ball and bats left-handed, appears in the test, he will be the youngest player to play for England. Denis Compton was 19 when he made his test debut.”