CRICKET IN ENGLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22956, 11 August 1936, Page 9

CRICKET IN ENGLAND

THE LEADING AVERAGES DEMPSTER THIRD IN BATTING (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, August 9.

THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA LONDON, August 9. The Marylebone Club announces the following additional invitations for the Australian tour: —Holmes, Fames, Barnett, Sims, and Voce. An additional wicketkeeDer will be announced later. THE INCLUSION OF VOCE LONDON, August 9. The cricketing correspondent of The Times, commenting on the Marylebone Club players for Australia, says:—" Generally speaking, it is surprising what a good side has been evolved from what seemed precious poor material earlier in the season. They will certainly do well. Fames and Voce are most welcome choices. They are men to stand up to hard work. It is splendid to see Voce again in the English team and to feel that much of the unpleasant nonsense stirred up two years ago has been cleared up and forgotten. It is all the greater pity that his comrade in many great bowling performances is not included." STATEMENT BY MARYLEBONE LONDON, August 9. The Marylebone Cricket Club has issued the following statement regarding Larwood and Voce:—"ln the summer of 1935 Larwood, Voce and Duckworth were approached by responsible officials regarding their attitude towards participating in representative cricket. Each stated that he did not desire to play in first-class cricket, except for his county. The Board of Control and Selection Committee have treated this decision confidentially, hoping that Voce and Larwood might alter their attitude in the meantime. Neither the M.C.C. nor the selectors have been able to consider either player available for representative cricket. The M.C.C. has now received an entirely satisfactory statement from Voce, who has placed himself unreservedly at the disposal of the board and the Selection Committee whenever his services are required. Therefore, there is no objection to Voce being considered on his merits for any representative team." LARWOOD'S FOOT TROUBLE LONDON, August 9. Mr Moult, in the Daily Telegraph, says Larwood was not included in the team for Australia owing to foot trouble. PAST INDISCRETIONS LONDON, August 10. (Received August 10, at 10.30 p.m.) The Daily Herald says: "The chairman at a meeting of the Selection Committee said that Voce and Larwood could not be considered until they apologised for past indiscretions. The position was unchanged a fortnight ago, but recently Marylebone made contact with Voce, who sent a letter to the committee, knowing beforehand that an apology would be favourably received. • TEAM FOR THIRD TEST LONDON, August 9. England's team for the third test against India, commencing on Saturday next, will be Allen, Robins, Hammond, Leyland, Verity, Fishlock, Hardstaff, Voce, Worthington, Fagg, Sims. ENGLISH WRITER'S OPINION " LONDON, August 10. (Received August 11, at 1.15 a.m.) Mr Neville Cardus, in the Manchester Guardian, says: "Barnett is a good selection and the fast Australian grounds should encourage his style. Fagg, who is a distinct gamble as a defensive batsman, will be trusted to keep up his end while Barnett tries to disperse the close Australian field exploited as a preliminary bluff. Generally the batting is more brilliant than solid. Copson has yet to demonstrate stamina. Voce has already done much to get on Australian nerves. Holmes will probably attend to important work outside the tests, where it is essential to prevent defeats from damaging confidence. Sims has been included owing to the possibility of Robins's failure on Australian wickets. The Morning Post says F. P. Warner has decided to retire as a selector. He reveals that the selectors chose Voce because both over and round the wicket he easily adapts himself to conditions. Copson is very quick off the wicket. Sims, although of the leg break googly school, differs from Robins and makes the ball jump. He may be most useful in view of the new leg-before rule. The side is particularly strong in fielding, Hardstaff, Holmes, Fishlock, Barnett and Leyland being good outfields, Hammond, Voce, Robins and Fagg good in the slips, Robins and Hardstaff at cover-point, with Worthington a good all-rounder. OPINION IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, August 10. (Received August 11, at 1.30 a.m.) Cricket writers here agree that the English selectors have done a splendid job, although there is some surprise that Gover was not included. The opinion is fairly general that +he Marylebone attack is j most impressive; in fact, the whole

side is better balanced than Jardine's four years ago. Bradman expressed the opinion that it was by no means certain which side would win, so strong is the proposition which the Australians have to meet.

The leading a .verages to date are: BATTING Runs. Average. Fishlock .. 1807 64.53 Leyland .. 1468 58.72 Dempster .. .. 1058 46 HardstafI .. .. 1147 45.88 Hendren .. 1675 44.07 Kimpton .. 765 42:5 W. H. Parks .. 1304 40.75 Melville ... . .. 772 40.11 Worthington .. 1322 40.06 Hammond .. .. 1001 40.04 BOWLING Wickets. Average. Verity .. .. 166 12.10 Larwood .. . . .. 115 12.39 Copson .. . .. 119 12.65 J. Smith .. . . .. 113 13.80 Smailes .. . . .. 107 13.80 Bowes .. . . .. 87 14.78 J. C. Clay . . .. 57 15.70 L. F. Townsend 54 16.35 Gover .. . . .. 144 17.19 Pope . .. 73 17.21