CRICKET TESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22545, 9 October 1936, Page 8

CRICKET TESTS

ENGLISHMEN'S TOUfi THE AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN BRADMAN BELIEVED CERTAIN [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] SYDNEY, Oct. 2 With the arrival of the English' cricket team less than a fortnight awa interest in the forthcoming tour j s quickening. In two months the fir s j test match will begin, and the fer er that affects Australia during a fight for the "ashes" will soon he grippi nthe major part of the population. Until the Australian selectors Messrs. E. A. Dwyer, W. J. Johnston and D. G. Bradman, announce the names of the players to oppose England in the first test match to be commenced in Brisbane on December 4 the Board of Control will not name the captain*' but it is taken for granted that the honour will be given to Bradman. Until recently there seemed a po s . sibility of the claims of V. Y. ardson being advanced, because of hjj success with the Australian team in South Africa last season. It Wa , realised, however, that Richardson apart from captaincy, would hardb be worth a place in Australia's test eleven Impression Confirmed There was never much doubt that tho board itself would favour Bradman and the choice of Bradman instead of .Richardson as one of the Australian selectors confirmed this impression. The board appointed Bradman vice-captain under Woodfull for the last tour of England, obviously with the idea that he should gain experience that would help to fit him for the leadership. H 0 would have been captain in South Africa if he had been available for the tour. Richardson has accepted an invita. tion to captain his team in the Sydney testimonial match to W. Bardslev and J. M- Gregory, beginning next Friday, and he and Bradman will be opposing captains. Greater Responsibilities Many in England and in Australia believe that Bradman's individual per. formances will prove more important than any other factor in the coming tests; but, being already a selector and the prospective captain, Bradman's responsibilities will be much greater than when he represented Australia as a batsman only. There is every reason to think that England's captain, G. 0. Allen, will have his qualities as a leader tested to the full when he comes to match his wits with Bradman's. On the few occasions that he controlled the Australian team in England in 1934 Bradman created a good impression, and his reputation as a captain was enhanced when he led South Australia to victory in the Sheffield Shield competition last year. Bradman's staunch admirers are convinced that in him Australia will have a captain worthy to take the reins.