AUSTRALIA'S CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19413, 23 August 1926, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S CRICKETERS.

Although 7 the Australians' fixtures include seven matches after the one now in progress against Somerset and two of them are to be against all-England elevens, the conclusion of the tests leads naturally to comment on the results of the tour. Certain side issues have been discussed, but these are of minor importance compared with the performances of the players and the conditions under which future test matches may be played. Beaten in the one game for the ashes that was played to a finish, the Australians have nevertheless proved themselves an excellent team. They have had an arduous experience. To the drawback of a very strenuous programme, so strenuous as to imperil them with staleness, there has been added an unprecedented amount of ill-health. Yet*t|hey have been able to keep an eleven in the field and to produce play of a standard drawing record crowds and putting those crowds in constant apprehension of the defeat of England's best. They have lost the ashes, but they have not lost the power to instil that fear. The frenzied enthusiasm of the crowd at the conclusion of the last test match was an implied compliment to their prowess. There have been reasons foi' thp expression of disappointment with some members of the team, but against that must be put certain notable performances by even the most luckless, and the criticism that "the team is by no means equal to many which have been previously sent to England" is true only if meant to institute comparison with certain teams of other years made famous by the presence of some individual giants of deathless cricket renown. The advice that Australia should immediately proceed to rebuild an eleven with younger material implies that the touring team is one of veterans. It is far from that, although it has a considerable number of players of experience, who, by the way, have generally justified their retention for a tour of such importance. From year ,to year Australia, has found new blood, and will doubtless continue to infuse it, critics or no critics. Concerning the conditions of the tour, it may be said that a programme without respite for most of the team can be lightened with advantage, and that for the tests three games, all to be played out unless one side should,win the first two, would be preferable to the present arrangement.