TO-DAY’S TEST MATCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16827, 14 December 1928, Page 11

TO-DAY’S TEST MATCH

VALUE OF THE TOSS HILL REVIEWS PROSPECTS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z, Press Association.! LONDON, Dec. 13. Clem Hill, in the Daily Tclegrffph. says: “If Australia wins the loss, \ consider the' team’s chances arc even, if England wins the toss, il will be 7 to ! in her favor. I welcome the inclusion of Nothling, as the side needed the introduction of youth. 1 have no doubt: a’Beckett will lie the next youngster chosen. Australia’s chances will be better when it also considers Bellington’s claims. It is surprising to find Andrews dropped. When the first test team was chosen, I declared if was the weakest fielding side Australia ever had. The team for Sydney is even weaker. Much will depend on the opening batsmen combating Larwood and Tate. If they sit tight, and put their bodies behind the full force of the bat, the English attack can be thwarted. Larwood has done wonders, but lie is in no way unplayable. ’ ’ Hill recommends Ryder or Richardson to open with Woodfull.

TEAMS NOT FINALISED M.C.C. INCLUDES GEARY WIDESPREAD INTEREST SYDNEY, Dec. 13. 'Pile English team for the second test is the same as played at Brisbane, with the exception that Geary is included, and therefore one man is to be dropped. His name will he announced before the match begins tomorrow. Leyland is again twelfth man. All the Englishmen are lit and ready for the fray. The Australian team will finally be chosen on the ground. The question as to who will be twelfth mail is exercising the selectors’ minds. They arc getting all sorts of advice from press writers, anonymous correspondents and well-meaning people. The wicket, is reported to be perfect and the weather at present is settled. The sole topic of conversation in (Sydney is cricket. Large crowds are arriving from other States to see the match. The majority are hoping against hope that the Australians will make amends for the Brisbane debacle. The opinion is gaining ground here that certain classes of sport, including cricket,, arc losing ground, owing to the popularity of motoring among the young people, who spend the weekends in this fashion, instead of, as formerly, ia pursuit of healthy ‘athletics.