Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 1922. THE FIGHT FOR THE ASHES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17952, 2 December 1932, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 1922. THE FIGHT FOR THE ASHES

The commencement, in Sydney today of the first of a series of mutches to decide the fate of the coveted Ashes will be watched with interest throughout the English-speaking world, for the biennial meetings between Australia and England on the cricket field have captivated the imagination of the public to a greater extent than any other sporting fixtures. People whoso interest in cricket, as cricket, is negligible, and whose knowledge of the game is meagre in the extreme, will await with avidity each day's progress of the matches, and, in a majority of cases, will be less moved by the fortunes of either side than by the merit of the display of the teams, individually or collectively. The sporting spirit of the game itself actuates the onlooker, .who, generally speaking, is over-ready to applaud a meritorious performance or to commiserate when misfortunes appear to be unequally dispensed. It is this characteristic spirit that has earned for cricket such a place in the life of British peoples throughout the world, and has made the game something more than a mere test of sporting ability. Tlic traditions with which it is surrounded provide an incentive,'to foster the noblest ideals of sport, and in ordinary everyday life to play the game off the field as it has always been played on it. Each successive coldest recalls memories of historic clashes in the past, of triumphs and failures, of records that have been made, or beaten, and of individual performances that outlivo those'who have been responsible for them. Year after year old controversies are revived and fresh comparisons are made—and the game goes on with novor-iiagging interest. Each season marks the disappearance of some of the old stulwarts and the discovery of new blood, the uncertainty of which adds zest to a gamo that is uncertainty itself. Players who have seemed to bo indispcnsiblo to one side or the other drop out, and, surprisingly, a new star arises to replace them, to bask in the

limelight, to talco tho plaudits of the crowds, but never to completely eliminate the recollections of their doughty

predecessors. In this respect, also,

cricket exemplifies a truly British characteristic —the ability to find new leaders when they are most wanted; men who can guide the destinies of the nation and carry on in the place of those whose records arc but a memory, yet the memory of whom is an inspiration itself. This year’s test matches, like those that have been played in the past, are not merely an incident of a day which concludes with the drawing of stumps and a decision one way or the other. Cricket is almost peculiar in this respect, for each match makes an addition to a long and glorious record and, in time, becomes a matter of history itself; and not only each match, but each wicket and each partnership, each individual score and each innings has the possibility of establishing something eclipsing all previous performances in the annals of the game. It is now s(i years since the test matches were inaugurated with a match at Melbourne in .1877, and the Colonials, in the initial contest, proved by their victory that they had well and tvlily imbibed the lessons they had received from the stalwarts of Ibo Old Country. Since then many great games have been fought out,

tho fluctuating fortunes adding keenness to the battles year after year. Dhilo it can hardly be claimed that the test series this, season is of greater moment than usual, the narrow margin of successes between the two, teams will add to the interest. Altogether 124 test matches havo been played, 50 having been won by Australia and 47 by England. Of the series, .10 have boon won by Australia and 15 by England, two having been drawn. It is thus possible-some may regard it as probable—that within the next few weeks England will be able to claim more victories than her formidable rival, and to have evened the score in tlie test series. Since tho war, Australia has been more successful, having won 15 matches to her opponents’ seven, but it is noteworthy that in tho last three series England has won six out of nine decided games, so that on recent form—if form is a guide to cricket —the tourists may be considered to have an advantage. Whatever the results followers of the game will not bo robbed of their interest. There will be much to explain, many comparisons to be made, and old records to be watched. An easy victory will recall the fact that at Melbourne in 1 <)l2 England won by the great margin of an innings and 225 runs, and if a close finish results attention will be directed to the time, in 1902, when, in a thrilling finish, the verdict went to Australia by only three runs, and to two other occasions when, only a single figure divided the scores of the opposing teams. Apart from the actual results there are batting and bowling figures, and even the attendances and gate takings, to be carefully , compared and to add to the fascination of a game,that can carry its thrills to millions of people thousands of miles . away from the actual arena. It is truly a great game that can take such a prominent place in the hearts and minds of the public in a time when there is so much else to occupy thought and attention, and its-frcal greatness lies in the fact that it is only a game, played in the spirit of which cricket is emblematical, and where the honors of victory bring no greater reward than the satisfaction of having Avon and played the game.