ENGLISH CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22434, 2 June 1936, Page 9

ENGLISH CRICKET

TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA GIMBLETT ALMOST CERTAINTY (Received June 1, 6.35 p.m.) LONDON. June 1 The Daily Mail understands that Harold Gimblett, the young Somerset player who has been hailed as the successor to Hobbs, is practically certain to go to Australia. Ho is regarded as the most promising batsman England has produced since Hammond.

Gimblett's career in county cricket began last year when he played for Soinerset against Essex on May 18 at Frome. In this match he won the Lawrence Trophy for the quickest hundred of the season, reaching his century in 63 minutes. He hit three sixes and 17 fours, and joined the select band of cricketers who had previously scored a century on a first appearance for a leading county. Gimblett's remarkable innings suggested that he was a player out of the ordinary, but unfortunately lor Somerset, which needed players of more than mediocre ability, he failed to maintain his form. He made 53 in his next match against Middlesex at Lords before an injury kept him out of the sido for a month. In 27 subsequent innings, his only score of note was 61 in a game with Kent in July. He is almost entirely a forward player and appeared to pay little heed to defence. His lack of experience counted against him during the remainder of the season. Gimblett has shown great improvement, and has played brilliantly in the latest series of county matches. Against the Indian tourinjr team at Taunton on May 9 he made 103, and on May 19 against Lancashire ho contributed 93 and 180 not out to Somerset's total. A week later, playing in a game against Northamptonshire, he scored 106 before lunch.