THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11841, 19 December 1901, Page 5

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

THE NEWS IN ENGLAND.

INTERVIEW WITH MACLAREIt

THE BOWLING WON THE

MATCH.

OPINIONS IN AUSTRALIA.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—

London, December 17. The English press is delighted and surprised at the result of tha test match. They consider it a great vindication of Maclaren's selection of bowlers. Sydn'kt ? December 18. Ma-viaren, interviewed, said lie was exceedingly proud of the victory. He considered ilio Australian team the best that could have been picked, excepting Clarke, who was unable to play. They played th« game as it should have been played, but for-, tune had not favoured them. The conditions were equal on both sides. His team were all in the very best condition. They, won on their bowling. The Australian' batsmen were dismissed, not because they batted badly, but because the bowling was perfect.

The newspapers are Hooded with eriti-. .cisms and suggestions. It. is generally admitted the Australians were out-captained and out-played in all departments. A reselection of the team is the universal de« maud.

Ore authority sums up the defeat of tha Australians thus: "They appeared to bo ,

awed and paralysed ; their nerve was gone. The only explanation of their collapse wag sheer bad batting the result of something like panic."

Competent judges highly praise Braund'a bowling. His leg theory is a comparatively recent innovation, and was a novelty to most of the Australian batsmen.