FIGHT FOR THE ASHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 11

FIGHT FOR THE ASHES.

ENGLAND V. AUSTRALIA.

FIRST TEST CRICKET MATCH.

THE COMMONWEALTH ELEVEN.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright.

(Received 11.35 p.m.)

A. and K.Z.

LONDON'. Dec. 13.

The papors comment to-day on tho Australian eleven selected to play the.English cricketers at Sydney in the first test match.

The .Morning Post remarks that the side includes men now to test cricket —Ponsford and the two Richardsons. It is clear, says tho paper, that they will add a sting to what was already a formidable batting side. Thcro aro signs that Ponsford will become ono of the groatest batsmen Australia ever had. Tho team's bowling strength is nearer to normal. It remains to bo seen, says tho Post, whether Gregory will stand tho test of tho strain. There is no doubt that Mailey and Kelleway aro as dangerous as ever.

The Daily Chronicle notes the absence of Macartney, but says that for batting strength the selected team could hardly have been improved upon. Its bowling strength is quito another question, however. Gregory, says tho writer, is not so deadly as bo was a year or two ago. Only ho and Mailoy can bo described as first-class bowlers.

The Daily Telegraph says it is clear that the Australians have found no new bowlers of test match class. With so much depending upon Gregory and Mailey, the selectors must be rather anxious. Regarding the enormous strength of the batting, however, there is no possibility of doubt. A side which, with Macartney out of the field through ill-health, can afford to lot Andrews bo twelfth man, must be limitless in its capacity for run-getting. Certain of the English bowlers will have a tromendous task. It is some consolation to this writer to know that Tato is being carefully nursed for the occasion.

Sporting Life says the main thine that strikes it is the lack of really first-class bowler in the Australian eleven. There is no McDonald and Gregory at bis best; there is no Warwick Armstrong to keep down the runs, and the best bowlers are resting. Only Mailev, Gregory and Kelleway can be depended upon to do much damage. The latter has not been very successful against the best English batsmen on a good wicket.

Arthur Richardson has taken wickets in South Australia, says the paper, but at heavy cost. He is hardly a test match bowler. The Australian team is sound in batsmanship down to number 9. The writer doubts whether, as a whole, however, it is as strong as it might easily have been. He would have liked to see Kippax and Andrews chosen. Still, the Australians wero going to take a lot of getting out.

Sporting Life continues:—Collins is an ideal number 1. The M.C.C. men are sure Uy rue his stubborn defence before the series of test matches is finished. Who will forget his monumental patience at Manchester in 1921, when he batted for five hours for 40 runs.

The Daily Express says Victor Richardson is the only surprise in the Australian eleven. Arthur Richardson is a useful bowler. The Australians will probably be punished if the English batsmen "take root."