“FEATHER BED” WICKET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26793, 9 June 1948, Page 6

“FEATHER BED” WICKET

VENUE FOR FIRST TEST ENGLAND’S BOWLERS AT A DISADVANTAGE N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent LONDON, June 7. General comment on the English test team for the first test match with the Australians at Trent Bridge on Thursday is that it is one of *' no surprises.” It is recognised that the Trent Bridge wicket Is a " feather bed" and not usually susceptible to spin bowlers, and the theory is that 1f it does not look favourable on the morning of the match Laker will be dropped for Barnett, so that England may rely on her batting strength. England, it is felt, must rely on a big score to avoid defeat, and if necessary force a draw. The policy will then be to go " all out ” for victory at Lord's, Manchester and Leeds, where reasonable assistance can be expected for mediumfast, swing and spin bowling,' which is England's only attacking strength. With England’s bowling strength at Trent Bridge admittedly weak, it is not thought that they will be able to dismiss the Australians twice. It is hoped that England will not be dismissed twice either. It is expected that Edrich and Bedser will open the bowling, followed by Young, Yardley, and possibly, Barnett, to maintain a good-length, run-saving attack. Wright and Compton may be used to go after wickets without too .much thought to runs being given away. Yardley’s selection as captain seems to find general favour, though a note of reserve Is sounded by the Manchester Guardian. “ Yardley’s qualities as a cricketer,” it says, “ have been preferred to those of Robins’s as a forceful leader and tactician. Tills is a doubtful gamble against so astute a captain as Bradman, and with an England side which, apart from Wright, possesses no positive matchwinning bowler. For Yardley Is not a shrewd schemer, and Is unlikely to make a moderate attack into a good one either by a close study of the Australian batsmen or by the setting of attacking fields in which there are not a few elements of subterfuge. Robins is."