TEST CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22949, 29 January 1938, Page 14

TEST CRICKET

AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS (CRITICISM OF SELECTION •ENGLISH CRITICS' VIEWS " SIDE CAN BE BEATEN" By Tolegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Roceived January 28, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 28 Commenting on the Australian • cricketers selected to tour England next' season the Times in a leading article says : "Strong as Bradman's team un 'doubtedly is, there is no need for pessimism." Tho Daily Mail's writer says: "The Australians are good, but certainly can be beaten by an England team inspired ■with confidence and the ruthless will to win. I am in total disagreement with Lord Hawke's pronouncement that tho Australians aro almost invincible. English cricket abounds in good material, requiring only self-assurance, which must be encouraged, not shaken by bogey stories of Australian omnipotence. "Our men have an equal chance of regaining the 'Ashes.' Excepting Bradman, tho Australian bdtsmen are not superior to England's best. can certainly have more formidable pace in attack. The following team would give the .so-called invineiblcs a long and difficult run: —Hutton, Edricli, Hammond, Hardstaff, Paynter, Ames, JBobins (captain), Voce, Verity, Fames land Larwood." Tile Glasgow Telegraph says: —"The '*•— l -ilian team is young, therefore e experimental. That it will be ly handled is certain. That it will :' 'nearly be invincible' remains to be I Been. I should say it is a team of considerable possibilities. There is so much 'young blood that it would be absurd :jiow to try and gauge its final ■ strength. "The batting is certain to be strong, the bowling more open, and there is a doubt about the fielding. This young team led by Bradman is certain to be high-class. Fleetwood-Smith is likely to trouble the English batsmen." ' The Manchester Guardian says:—"lf there is a weak spot in tho Australian side* it is likely to be in bowling. So in order to balance the big scores which Bradman and his allies are expected to make our batsmen must enter the fray in good heart. Our selectors should take a leaf out of the visitors' book and concentrate on young cricketers of character and we shall have fine sport. Too often our young men seem to be slowly ground down to daily county cricket before being chosen to play for England."

OLDFIELD'S OMISSION

AUSTRALIAN OPSNION SYDNEY, Jan. 28 Former international players and press critics deplore the omission of Oldfield, in particular, and Grimmett and Gregory, from the Australian cricket team for England.

Warren Bardsley says Oldfield is still the best wicketkeeper in the world. C. G. Macartney declares that the omission of Oldfield is "a tragedy."" ENGLAND'S CHANCES MR. CARDUS OPTIMISTIC SYDNEY, Jan. 28 Mr. Neville Cardus, the well-known English cricket writer, who is visiting Australia, feels more optimistic over England's chances in the coming test matches now the team chosen does not include two of the world's best players—Oldfield and Grimmett. He declares he sees a batting "tail" on occasions when, O'Reilly. White, Ward, McCormick and Fleet-wood-Smith are used to deliver Australia's full bowling attack.