THE CRICKET TEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 10

THE CRICKET TEST

The literature of cricket should be enriched when the men who are most competent to do so—Mr Neville Cardus and Mr Howard Marshall, for example—record, in restrospect, their impressions of the glorious game which was concluded at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday. England, batting in the first two days with—on this occasion—youth on her side, proved herself to possess still the material wherewith test history is made. Australia, facing odds that might well have daunted hearts less stout and have defeated skill less perfect, emerged at the end of the fourth day to claim at least an equal share of the honours of a match that should have a unique place in cricket annals. The first test of the present series has passed into history, and it can almost be said that its outcome leaves it impossible to predict the ultimate fate of “ the ashes.” That is surely a teasing, pleasant thought, with four games yet to be played in the international series. The future may be left to bring its own solution of the cver-fascinating problem of cricketing supremacy. For the present it is enough to be able to think back on the four-day struggle that began last Friday, and to extract the maximum of satisfaction from the thrills and threats with which it abounded. Old records, as the radio narrators did not tire of telling their distant audiences, went merrily “ into the discard ” as the game took its amazing course. England opened with her greatest score against any opposing test side, for which fine start she had to thank two batsmen till then untried in the test atmosphere and two others who added lustre to reputations already established. Hutton and Barnett, and later Compton and Paynter passed the coveted century mark, the latter, in a punishing innings which carried his score into the double-century class, showing the soundness of the judgment that had named him, in the 1938 “ Wisden ” as one of the five cricketers of the year. But the match tally of centuries did not stop at four. On the Australian side McCabe showed his greatness in adversity as never before. It was due to his superb batsmanship that the threatened firstinnings collapse was avoided. He more than any other player robbed England of the chance to snatch a victory “The greatest innings seen anywhere at any time in the game’s history” are the glowing words written by Mr Cardus of McCabe’s first innings. They would not have been written were they not justly adequate. Bradman’s was a captain’s part in the battle to defeat time on the last day, and Brown with him completed the select seven to score in three figures during the riot of run-getting that was the test's most notable feature. The, wicket, it seems, behaved less kindly to the bowlers than was generally anticipated. Those who bore the brunt of the attack doubtless sought in vain for the fatal “ spot as the wicket wore the batsmen alone would be grateful for the fact that this failed to materialise. The test, it can be said, has left its lessons. It has proved the wisdom of the English decision to offer youth its day. It has helped English talent to a swifter maturity, has created confidence in the members of the English team, and has thus enhanced the interest in the games that lie ahead. It has again revealed the Australians for what they are—dour fighters when the occasion

presses but gallant cricketers to a man. It is possible that Bradman at times permitted himself a sigh for the absence of a Grimmett! That thought, however, need not be expected to weaken his determination to make the best possible use of the attack that is vouchsafed him. If it lacked sting at Trent Bridge it may even yet prove the undoing of England’s challengers.