CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 60

CRICKET

ENGLISH CRICKET. TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA. CHAPMAN TO BE CAPTAIN. LONDON, July 30. It is officially announced that the English team for Australia is as follows: — A. P. F. CHAPMAN, captain (Kent). J. C. WHITE, vice-captain (Somerset). D. R. JARDINE (Surrey). J. B. HOBBS (Surrey). H. SUTCLIFFE (Yorkshire). E. TYLDESLEY (Lancashire). W. R. HAMMOND (Gloucestershire). M. W. TATE (Sussex). M. LEYLAND (Yorkshire). H. LARWOOD (Notts). L. AMES (Kent). A. P. FREEMAN (Kent). E. HENDREN (Middlesex). C. P. MEAD (Hants). G. DUCKWORTH (Lancashire). S. STAPLES (Notts). Another player will probably be chosen A WELL-BALANCED SIDE. SYDNEY, August 1. The consensus of opinion in official cricketing circles in Australia is that the team chosen to represent England is a well-balanced representative combination, possibly along the lines of safetv first.

Noble says the bowling is not too impressive, but the fielding is good. Gregory is surprised at the omission of Woollev.

Kippax'says that “dig in” seems the watchword.

Oldfield considers it a formidable team.

Ponsford is surprised that Jardine is neither captain nor vice-captain, and that Jupp and Hallows have been omitted.

Mailey says that Mead is the surprise selection, but a pleasing feature is the inclusion of Duckworth and Ames, two good young wicket-keepers, though Hammond will probably create more interest than anybody.

HENDREN’S POSITION

ADELAIDE, August 3

The South Australian Cricket Association has agreed to relieve Hendren of his engagement as coach for the coming season, for which he had contracted, owing to his selection in the English team to visit Australia.

A FORMIDABLE SIDE

By Slip

To those who follow English cricket closely the choice of the selectors will occasion little surprise, although the exclusion of J. Hallows, who began the season in sensational fashion, is difficult to understand. It is true that he has not been so frequently in the limelight of late, but, according to cabled reports, he is considered to be an ideal batsman for Australian conditions. He may yet find a place, however, as one man has yet to be chosen. From what can be gathered on this side of the world the side is a particularly strong one. It has a wealth of batting talent, and as a bowling combination the Australians should not find it easy. Of the 16 players already chosen nine have been selected for batting ability, five are bowlers, and two are wicketkeepers. The selection of Chapman as captain was generally expected. He lias led former English teams with success, and has the necessary experience of Australian wickets and methods. He is known in New Zealand as a brilliant and aggressive batsman. In the last series of tests in England lie played five innings and was twice not out, gaining fourth place in the batting list with an average of 58.33.

Hobbs and Sutcliffe are names which are always associated, and the world has known no superior opening pair. Hobbs has not occupied his usual place in the batting averages this season; hut in spite of his 46 summers he is still a great basman. Sutcliffe, who is 34 years of age, has apparently shown rare form this season, and has an average of 82.2. He has the ideal test match temperament as is shown by his remarkable figures. He has played 15 innings in test matches, being once not out, and has scored 1045 runs for the remarkable average of 74.64. This performance has never been bettered by an Englishman. In tests Hobbs has played no fewer than 52 innings, in four of which he has carried his bat, and has scored 2784 runs for an average of 58. No other Englishman has scored 2000 runs in test cricket, and his average is beaten only by that of Sutcliffe. In the last series of test matches in England he headed the Home team’s batting list with an average of 81, Sutcliffe being second with 78.66. It is worthy of note that it was in this series that , the brilliant C. J. Macartney secured the remarkable average of 94.6. ,

Hammond the young Gloucestershire player, was another certainty. He is among the most brilliant of: English batsmen, but in addition to his exceptional

ability with the willow he is also a useful bowler anti a brilliant fieldsman. Last season, when only 24 years of age, he scored 2969 runs—more than any other batsman—and he gained fifth place for the whole of England with an average of 69.04. This season his performances have been equally brilliant, and he has scored nearly 2000 runs for an average of 73.33. Hammond was a member of the English team which recently visited South Africa, and it will be remembered that he met with unexpected success as a bowler. Hammond will have his first experience of Australian wickets, but his style is so perfect that he should soon adapt himself to the conditions.

Jardine, the tall Surrey amateur, came into the limelight last season by scoring over 1000 runs in 14 innings for an average of 91. He is a fine defensive player, and was selected by Wisden’s as one of the five outstanding players of last season. It was then said that nothing appeared more likely than that he would be in the next team to visit xlustralia. E. Tyldesley and C. P. Mead are names which have always been prominent in recent seasons. The former has shown consistency and often brilliance. He has scored over 50 centuries in first class cricket, and in 1926 scored four in succession. This season he heads the averages with a total per innings of 84.69. Mead, one of the older members of the team, had an average last season of 74, and this season his average is 82.20. “ Patsy ” Hendren needs no introduction to New Zealand enthusiasts. For some yeivs past he has retained his position as < % of England’s most prolific run-gcttei.. and this season he has an average of 75.67. In the last series of test matches his average of 62 was beaten only by those of Hobbs and Sutcliffe. Leyland, the young Yorkshire professional, is a left hander, who has gradually forged his way to the top and is fifth in the averages this season. Tate, of course, is considered to be the world’s best bowler, and he has previously proved his worth on Australian wickets. His form has shown no deterioration, and he should give just as good service as he has done in the past. Larwood is the fast bowler of the team, and is remarkable in that, unlike most express trundlers, he is very small in stature. Used properly he should be dangerous on Australian wickets. That he is now at the top of his form is indicated by the fact that he heads the bowling averages, having taken 79 wickets at a cost of 15.30 runs apiece. Ho is closely followed by Freeman, who has given proof of his outstanding ability in New Zealand. This season he has taken 200 wickets at an average cost of 16.48. He is a slow leg-break bowler of the tireless kind. Staples, who is not so well known, is a right hand spin bowler commanding a perfect length. His performance last season in taking 123 wickets for 22 runs each gained him a place in the English side which went to South Africa. White, the vicecaptain of the team, captains Somerset, and has gained his place as a left hand bowler. It was said last season that he “ carried Somerset on his shoulders.” His 104 wickets cost him 19 runs apiece. This season he has been no less successful, taking 75 wickets at an average cost of 20.77. He, too, keeps a perfect length and spins the ball from leg. Ames, who has been chosen as first wicket-keeper, is brilliant in his position, and is also among the first flight of batsmen in spite of the fact that he is only 22 years of age. Duckworth, the second wicket-keeper, was considered to be equal to the best in the country last season. From him, however, little may be expected in the direction of rungetting. Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Tate, Freeman, Chapman, and Hendren are the only members of the team who haxe previously visited Australia with English teams.

One hundred and fourteen test matches have been played between England, and Australia, Australia winning 47 and England 42. The remainder have been drawn. The first match of the tour will begin on October 13, when a match will be played at Perth against the West Australian colts. The team will play 25 matccs, including five tests.

THE COUNTY MATCHES.

LONDON, July 31.

Rain interfered with the second day of cricket. Following are the scores:— Surrey: First innings, 131 (Marriott five for 41, Freeman four for 58) ; second innings, 282 (Hobbs 109; Freeman five for 101); Kent: First innings, 283 (Woolley 51, Ames 96, Legge 52); second innings, 116 (Fender five for 53, Peach four for 36). Surrey won by 14 runs.

Worcestershire: First innings, 168 (Gibbons 52; Tate four for 39, Wensley five for 39) ; second innings, 220 (Wright 62; Browne six for 42). Sussex: First innings, 267 (Cook 52, Tate 117); second innings, 112 for two wickets (Duleepsinhji not out 52). Sussex won by eight wickets. Essex: First innings, 99 (Jupp seven for 42); second innings, 175 (Jupp five for 79). Northamptonshire: First innings, 419 for seven wickets declared (Woolley 111, Jupp 113, Bakewell not out 69). Northants won by an innings and 145 runs.

Middlesex: First innings, 488 (Haig 77, Hundred 169, Mann 122; Macaulay six for 130). Yorkshire: First innings, 303 (Holmes 53,-Robinson not out 70, Wood 62; Haig six for 96). Yorkshire followed on and scored 290 for one wicket (Holmes not out 179, Sutcliffe

104). Middlesex won on the lirst innings.

Lancashire: First innings 372 (Makepeace 167, Sibbles 56; Sain Staples five for 64). Nottinghamshire: First innings, 215 (Carr 50; Macdonald five for 63, Sibbles four for 48). Nottinghamshire followed on and scored 144 for two wickets (Walker not out 50). Lancashire'won on the first innings. For Gloucestershire against Derbyshire Hammond made 134 and Rowland 51 not out, while Sinfield took , five for 78. For Derbyshire Hutchinson . made 76 .not out. The match was drawn. For Glamorgan against Warwickshire Bates made 99, D. Davies 73, Riches 159 and Arnott 50, while Mercer took four for 64. For Warwickshire Wyatt made 57 not out and Speed took six for 81. The match was drawn. LONDON, August 3. Heavy rain everywhere interrupted the first day’s play. Yorkshire: First innings, 287 (Mitchell 91, Rhodes 01); second, 12 for no wickets. Northamptonshire: First innings, 125 (Robinson five for 52, Macaulay five for 58). Following on, they made 172 (J. Timms 80; Rhodes five for 57). Yorkshire won by 10 wickets.

Hampshire: First innings, 408 (Mead 79, Newman 102, Hosie 60; Nichols, six for 107). Essex: First, 120 (Boyes five for 38). They followed on, and scored -201 (Crawley 55, Franklin 66; Boyes five for 93). Hants won by an innings and 87 runs. West Indies: First innings, 130 (Cresswell, four for 35) ; second, 230 for nine wickets (Hoad 71); Cresswell five for 68, Wellard four for 59). Somerset: First innings, 216 (Macßryan 84, not out; Small four for 52). The match was drawn.

Kent: First innings, 118 (Woolley 66 not out; Larwood four for 28, Barratt four for 47) ; second, 269 (Ashdown 84, Woolley 66; Voce four for 45). Nottinghamshire: First innings, 239 for nine wickets declared (Walker 56; Freeman five for 98) ; second, 158 for one wicket (Gunn 100, not out). Notts won by nine wickets.

Derbyshire: First innings, 263 (Townsend 55 not out; Bowley, six for 106). Sussex: First, 163 (Bowley 104; Townsend eight for 48). They followed on and scored 152 for eight wickets (Townsend five for 63). Derby won on the first innings.

For Glamorgan against Worcestershire Bell scored 63 and 61 not out, Tyson 73 not out, and Bates 54. For Worcestershire Wright scored 60, Higgins 50, and B. Quaife 136 not out. Worcester won.

For Middlesex against Gloucestershire Hammond took live wickets for 60. Gloucester won.