Untitled

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17957, 8 December 1932, Page 12

FAMOUS WICKET-KEEPER VIEWS ON LEG THEORY BOWLING PERTH, Nov. 30. That Australia will win the rubber in the forthcoming test cricket series is the opinion of 11. Carter, the famous wicketkeeper of former Australian elevens, who, after having toured America and Canada with .Mailey’s team, arrived at Premantle in the U.M.'S. Orama. Quietly, when his opinion was sought concerning Bradman’s bad luck, Carter asked : “What can you expect in cricket? It is merely a lean period; such conies to every batsman. In a word, it is cricket. Wood full, too, has bad his unlucky spells, but they .will be all right. Both have the real test temperament.” When his attention was drawn to the press criticism of the leg-theory bowling of the English attack, and the prevalence of bumping balls, Carter said : ‘‘l would not for an instant take into consideration any mention of unsportsmanlike action in these tactics. Once again, it is cricket. If you give the batsman a bat voa expect him to use it to the best of' his ability. If you give, a bowler a ball you expect him to make full use of it. What is the difference between the style of the men bowling now and the way Foster bowled? Personally, I do not think there is any.” Referring to. Australia’s lack of a fast bowler, Carter said: “Of course it is definitely bad policy to play a fast bowler if you have not a good one. In the case of Wall lie went to England in such a position with the Australian 1 team, and he proved, in certain circumstances. that he would be a match winner. There is no question that he is an earnest trier, who throws his whole heart into every delivery. I really believe that a team will be selected which will prove capable of victory.” LEG THEORY BOWLING ENGLISHMEN’S METHODS MELBOURNE, Nov. 24. “Mid-off” in the Melbourne Ago writes: —“The Englishmen’s bowling methods are creating more discussion here than even the Bradman slump. Stirred up bv some vigorous articles in the local press, public feeling, on the whole, is very antagonistic to the visitors. “Amongst former test players, of whom there are many here to witness the forthcoming matuh, there is a diversity of opinion on this matter. To-day I heard a very interesting discussion between two men who played test cricket for Australia, both in Australia and England, last century. One was most outspoken in his denunciation of the leg theory methods and the ball bumping. “In short, he said it was most unsportsmanlike, and if persisted in would kill the game. The retort was made that bowlers had as much right to bowl log theory with a strong on-sklo field as they had to bowl off-theory with a strong slip-field. As for the flying ball, it was contended that this was the result of modern methods of preparing the wickets in Australia. Both the veterans agreed that if the turf were left more in its natural state, as was the case here 30 or 40 years ago, and in England to-day, there would bo little danger to the batsmen, however fast the bowling. “Apart altogether from the leg theory question, there is unanimity in the view that .England has three very good fast howlers in Larwood, Allen and Voce on Australian wickets. Larwood is in better physical condition now than he was in England in 1930 or in Australia four years ago, consequently he is bowling faster, and can maintain his speed for longer periods. But that does not mean, of course, that his powers of endurance are unlimited, and with a protracted game ho would comparatively soon become a spent force.”