LOST CRICKET "ASHES."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18601, 8 January 1924, Page 9

LOST CRICKET "ASHES."

ENGLAND'S NEXT TOUR.

SEEKING A CAPTAIN.

POSSIBLE MEMBERS OF TEAM.

English cricket opinion is busy just now forecasting and conjecturing on the next tour of English cricketers in Australia. The topic of the moment, on the eve of the 1924. season, is: Will England regain the ashes? It is generally accepted that whoever is to captain England in Australia must captain England against South Africa at Home next summer. The importance of a captain overseas is greater than at home— he has to get accustomed to his men as a .side before he sails—because he has to keep his team in hand off the field as well as on; has to set the standard of English sportsmanship to be shown to critical kith and kin in Australia; has to deal with the Board of Control and with other local circumstances; must bo able to sav the right thing not only in speeches but in conversation, besides having all the responsibilities of actual cricket leadership. A vast amount rests on his shoulders. In fact, half the Imperial, importance of the tour depends on getting the' righ"! leader. ' Frank Mann achieved great success in • the South African tour Fast season, but well-informed cricket critics think that he is slow to appreciate the proclivities of opposing batsmen, does not attain to a high standard as a fieldsman, and is not happy in the way he handles his bowling. A. E. R. Gilligan seems to hold the balance of support among the critics, one of whom quotes Hobbs as saying* last June: —"The captain under whom we would win test matches would be Mr. Gilligan." Neither Hobbs nor Hearne will, be able to come out "with the next team. G. E. C. Wood, the Kent captain, is, according to A. C. MacLaren, the one leader marked out by propitious facts for England. Others agree that no one else playing first-class cricket to-day is so quick at realising what opponents are bent on, or in perceiving the weak points in their play, while from his position as wicket-keeper ho has an unrivalled post of observation. It is already known that, if invited, he will ho able to make the

trip. John Darnell, captain of Somerset, is another . whose candidature is warmly canvassed by some critics. He is a fearless bat, who should do well on the hard Australian wickets, and his fielding is said to be as fine as in his best Cambridge days. Off the field, "The Prophet" is known as a just man, imbued with the highest sporting instincts and with a strong personality, as well as a "wonderful way" with other men; moreover his repute in the football world should make him a favourite in Australia. As to the members of the team, a strong feeling exists in favour of bringing 0. H. Gibson, the bowler, back from the Argentine for the next English _ season, with the view of taking the trip to Australia. Collins, who succeeded Armstrong as captain of the Australian eleven, is quoted as saying, on the occasion of the last English tour:— selectors are helping us to win the rubber by never giving a thought to incomparably your best bowler, Clem Gibson.' For the remainder of the 16 players, the following are chosen from among those whose claims are being advocated by English . writers:—Arthur Gilligan, as fast bowler; Maurice Tate, all-rounder; G. E. C. Wood, wicket-keeper; P. G. Fender and Frank Woolley, as subtle cricketers in every department; J. F. Maclean, known already to New Zealanders as second wicket-keeper and batsman; M. D. Lyon, Street, Smith, Livsey, Sidwoll ; Sutcl'ifee and J. L. Bryan, as opening pair of batsmen; Mead, the imperturbable Macaulav or Parkin, as fast-medium bowler; Boy Kilner, as allrounder; A. P. P. Chapman, glorious batsman and cover-point; Hendren; Geary, as a second fast bowler; and Ernest Tyldesley, fine bat and admirable outfield. ; English selectors will not under-rate the strength of this year's Australian cricket with the redoubtable Gregory back again, with new stars, such as Kippax, the batsman; Hartkopf, the googly bowler and—who -Hornibrook, of Queensland, as change bowler.