"A LONG WAY TO GO”

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12527, 17 August 1926, Page 7

"A LONG WAY TO GO”

ENGLISH CRITICS PLEASED, BUT CAUTIOUS THIS TIME HIGH PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIANS MAILEY AND OLDFIELD EULOGISED FOR MAGNIFICENT PLAY England’s position in the Test match pleases the critics, but they are by no means cock-a-hoo p. They give high praise to the Australians, especially Mailey and Oldfield.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Coptright (Sydney “Sun” Cable.)

(Received August 16, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, August 15. G. A. Faulkner writes in the ‘'Gazette”: “The Australian batsmen’s unaccountable loss of grip leaves England very much atop, but it would be rash to contend that Australia is yet in the cart. She has too many stubborn anrl skilful batsmen to dismiss. But England has the chance of a lifetime. She only needs the slightest piece of luck to gain a commanding first innings lead.” Tho ‘‘Daily Mail** critic declares: “Hobbs went out to one of the worst balls of liis long career. Chapman’s captaincy was gratifying. He consulted nobody, but did everything off Ilia own bat,” “The Timea” critic highly praiaea Chapman’s captalnaney, and aays Mailey’s was the finest exhibition of alow howling he has ever seen, or is likely to see. The Australian fielding comes in for special appreciation by the critics. Philip Trevor, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: “One has nothing but unstinted praise for the wonderful fielding. You could not get a ball through the in-fieldsmen unless it was hit hard, quite clear o ffchem, whilo from longfield Bardsley gave Oldfield catches at the top of the hails with unfailing accuracy.’' • BOWLING NOT GOOD Referring to the dismissal of the Australians, he says: “To he perfectly frank I cannot attribute this to good bowling. Tate and Larwood . bowled too short, and Geary was wild. Tate never Looked like getting anybody out Woodfull, the immovable, always remained unmoved. He never does look

like getting out. When he is, one is always surprised.”

I’. 4\ Warner says tho wicket was not easy, despite what lias been said to the contrary. He pays a graceful compliment to Oldfield, stating: “His wicket-keeping was delightful, both in its extreme excellence and in tho entire absence of fuss and frills. Grimmett’s fielding at silly-point and midon reminded one of one’s boyhood. Nevertheless, at the end of England’s innings Andrews was two up. Finer and braver fielding than his is impossible to imagine. Indeed, throughout the game there were few instances of misfielding, while the throwing was a delight to behold.” MACARTNEY A SURPRISE Ho adds: “Marartney began in a manner which England’s supporters viewed with the greatest apprehension, but when the great Macartney went so early the crowd could hardly believe it.” '‘But there is a long way to go before this match is over.” It has been suggested that the surprisingly small attendance on the first day of the final Test match was due to the English aversion to played out matches, and also to the fact that the newspapers conveyed the impression all the week that it would be practically impossible to gain admittance to the Oval. This, together with the news that a queue of a hundred persons had been formed at 6 o’clock the previous evening, convinced thousands of peoplo that it would be useless to attempt to enter. Very likely there will be a different story on Monday, for the praises of Saturday’s play being the most wonderful day’s cricket of the present Australian tour, ring loudly everywhere.