TEST CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21492, 16 May 1933, Page 9

TEST CRICKET

RESUMPTION QUESTION INTERVAL SUGGESTED BODY-LINE BOWLING QUARREL HOBBS CONDEMNS PRACTICE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 14 The Observer says: "It is becoming increasingly clear that an interval must be allowed before the resumption of the cricket tests. We are beginning to realise the feeling in Australia. There is a strong English conviction that our men have not had justice. Consequently the early renewal of the tests will serve neither the interests of cricket nor Anglo-Australian relations." Jack Hobbs, in his latest article, reiterates his dislike of body-line bowling, and says: "As seen by me in Australia, more balls were pitched wide

of the leg stump than on it. I deprecate 'greybeards' arguing that they in their youth would have scored freely off body-line bowling. I say definitely that they would not have done so against Larwood in Australia, where it was not a question of good-length balls rising quickly and hitting thighs and chest. Such things do not happen on Australian wickets. Larwood had a pitch which was short, and he maintained it at such a length and speed that nothing could be done with him.

"Bradman was even better than in England in 1930, and had more and better strokes. I doubt whether England would have won the ashes without body-line bowling."