The English Team for Australia.

NZ Truth, Issue 120, 5 October 1907, Page 3

The English Team for Australia.

Duriner the course of a conversation "Recorder" ("Sydney Sportsman") had with a retired international placer, who is a very keen and excellent judge of cricketers as players, the following interesting particulars were obtained : In his opinion, the coming team, which, by the way, left on the 14th: is a remarkably strong combination, and one which as regards the batting, should greatly please the public, who like free and aggressive batsmen.

The fielding is first-class, and Humphries as. "keeper" will be found equal to the best. The bowling is extra strong, m that respect resembling the teams which Shrewsbury used to bring out.

Blythe, he thinks, is the finest lefthander m England, and has been eclinsed by Rhodes solely owing to the Yorkshire Eleven's finer fieldine. Should the wicket do a bit, Blythe will be unplayable. He once saw M. A. Noble on such a pitch against the left-hander, and his efforts were so ridiculous, as to cause merriment to the crowd. In sheer distrust, M.A. at last ran down the pitch, missed, and was outed.

Of Sidney Barnes he has a very great opinion. Maclaren, m consequence of the weakness of his bowling, was too severe on Barnes m the second test match of 1902. and mv informant, who saw and snoke to Barnes at the tea adjournment, States that Barnes was quite prostrated, and his legs gave indication of the trouble which befell him after a few overs m the next test match, when he broke down entirely, and was unable to take any part m the rest of the tour. This should be a warning to captains to nurse their fast bowler and not to .bowl him to a standstill.

On our side, he is doubtful if we possess the necessary bowling to (iislodue the Englishmen for a small score, and he thinks that Wright, the South Australian, would be a ■rood bowler to try m at least one match.