F. G. MANN IS TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND IN FIRST TEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27094, 31 May 1949, Page 5

F. G. MANN IS TO CAPTAIN ENGLAND IN FIRST TEST

LONDON, May 29. The England Test Selection Committee announced that F. G. Mann, of Middlesex, would captain England in the first Test match against New Zealand, beginning at Leeds on June 11. The following' four players have also been selected for the first Test: L. Hutton, of Yorkshire; C. Washbrook, of Lancashire; D. Compton, of Middlesex; and A. V. Bedser, of Surrey. The following teams will represent the North, and South in a Test trial, beginning at Birmingham on June 1: — North: F. R. Brown (captain), of Northamptonshire; R. T. Simpson, of Nottinghamshire; D. V. Brennan, of Yorkshire; W. E. Hollies, of Warwickshire; D. Brookes and V. Broderick, of Northamptonshire; C. Gladwin, of Derbyshire; A. Wharton, of Lancashire; R. Aspinall, F. A. Lowson and D. B. Close, of Yorkshire. South: F. G. Mann (captain), W. J. Edrich, J. Young and J. D. Robertson, of Middlesex; T. E. Bailey, of Essex; T. G. Evans and F. Ridgway, of Kent; A. Watkins and W. E. Jones, of Glamorganshire; R. O. Jenkins, of Worcestershire; D. J. Fletcher, of Surrey.

Reuter says the teams chosen for the North-South cricket trial suggest that the Selection Committee is looking to the 1950-51 Australian tour. Its first concern is to find a team capable of defeating New Zealand. It is encouraging to see Bailey, Wharton and Jones 'among the newcomers, as all three ai-e vigorous batsr men. The North side contains two promising Yorkshire colts, Lowson and Close, who came into the county side from league cricket.