TEST CRICKET TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19215, 2 January 1926, Page 9

TEST CRICKET TEAM.

TEE AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. COMMENTS IN ENGLAND. MAIN STRENGTH IN BATTING. By Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright, (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. sji<i N.Z. LONDON, Dec. 'II. Ihe newspapers are devoting special attention to the Australian cricket team that has been selected to come to England. The papers discuss the team chiefly in regard to the remaining selections, It is remarked that it is realised that the selectors' task is a difficult one, owing to the numerous claims. It would be moro easily solved ii at least half-a-dozen sound batsmen were available with any bowling qualincations. The omission of Kippax proves that batting is no longer the consideration. Australia is undoubtedly being scoured for a surprise bowler. Some of the critics are puzzled at the absence of Kellewav, but others say that they be'lievo that Kelleway, A. Richardson and Love are certain to bo included owing to their dual qualifications. Hirst, the well-know a Yorkshire player, questions Australia's bowling strength. Ho points out that Collins is deprived of Armstrong's advantage of having two fast bowlers such as Gisegory and Macdonald at either end. England's side should bo selected from the viow point of variety in attack. England is regarded as being fortunate in having Tate and Macaulay, both useful batsmen. The wicket keeper should aiso be a good batsman.

Mr. Warner's Criticisms. Mr. pelham Warner, who ha?, been interviewed by tho Australian and Nov Zealand Press Association, says that Australia has selected a very "hot' 1 batting side. Its great strength lies in the faat that the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh men are all good batsmen. " You have got to get the whole side out," ho says. " You are just as likely to have trouble after tho sixth wicket has fallen as before, but they do not seem to have found any new bowler ex«pfc Gsimmctt." It will bo interesting, Mr. Douglas adds, to see the names of tho remaining three to bo selected. It is a difficult matter to chooso between such promising plajcre as Love,, A. Richardson, lvippax and Kellnwav, whose brilliant innings in Melbourne show thoy aro still at the top of their form. Tho Evening Standard critic says that Australia has not troubled to wait' for tho averages at tho close of the season before selecting the team. The selectors apparently have gone on lines of safety. Probably they aro considering minutely tho throe remaining. Macartney undoubtedly has retaiued all his abilities during bis enforced rest. Ho is probably tho most famous strolca player of living batsmen; in addition ha is developing innocent-looking lefthand bowling. England will rejoice at £ss inclusion, because sho will b« entertaining an aggressive batsman. Strength o! Batting. Though Bardsloy is not as fast as ho ones was, he is still one of the best left-handors to open an innings, because of his unsurpassed knowledge of English wickets. Ponsford and Grimmctt will excite tremendous curiosity, particularly Ponsford, bccauso it is gonerally accepted that bis run-making will not be confined to Australian wickets. There is no question of the strength of the batting, though tho bowling is another question. It appears that the attack wili rest on Gregory, Mailey and Grimmett. The team appears to be a very useful one, though such prominent men as tho Richardsons, Scott* and Love still remain. ' Mr. J. W. H. T. Douglas, ex-captain of England, in an interview wiiJti the Daily Express, said that tho Australians were a formidable and well-baUncod side. Thus far followers of the game in Australia would have no quarrel with tho selectors. Ho was particularly pleaded that Grimmctt was selected. Ho was no mean liatsman, and should turn the ball more oa English wickets than on Australian on,«. He hoped that Richardson would be chosen. He, too, would bowl better in England, and was one of the few really good flight bowlers in Australia. Tho claims of Homibrook also deserved direful consideration. Ho was & splendid left-handed medium spin bowler. An Imposing Side."

"I think the odds are on us, though the Australians have collected an imposing side," ho added. " Nearly everything depends on the English Selection Committee, who will have almost aa much to do with winning tests as the placid men. I hope the county captains will not overwork the selected men."

Interviews obtained by the Australian Press Association reveal unanimity of opinion as to the powerful nature of the team. Tho Hon. F. S. Jackson says that the selected men give Australia a powerful batting side, but asks where are the bowlers 1 Grimmett will arouse the greatest, interest, while it will be interesting to see how the suggestion of Tate and others thut Ponsford's methods are unsound will work out oa English wickets. Tho test matches will be a toss-op,

VIEWS IN AIJSTBALIA. "A WELL-BALANCED SIDE." NO SURPRISES PROVIDED. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Dec. 3L The newspapers, commenting on tbu) cricket team selected to go to England, say that it contains no surprises. The trouble will be the selection of the remaining three players to complete the team. The selections already made are the following:—Collins (captain), Bardsley, Macartney, Taylor, Andrews, Oldfield, Gregory, Mailey, Hendry, Ryder, Ponsford and Grimrnett. Three more are to bo chosen. The Sydney Morning Herald declares that the selections form the ;'ncleus of a powerful and well-balanced side, capabla of upholding Australia's prestig.s. It is strong in all departments, and every player is capable of scoring runs. The fcowling provides a varied attack, wmio as to the vital question of fielding probably only two cannot be regarded as firstclass fieldsmen.