BELOW STANDARD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19777, 3 November 1938, Page 12

BELOW STANDARD

AUSTRALIAN CRICKET OPINION OP OLDFIELD PESSIMISTIC OUTLOOK W. A. Oldfield, the former Australian eleven wicket-keeper, who toured with the Australian team in England recently, is pessimistic as to the future of Australian cricket. He said: The Australian eleven had a remarkable season. It was not a good team, and by no meau up to the standard of many others that have represented Australia in England.

The side had really only tnree men up to the best Australian standard — Bradman, Brown and O’Reilly—and they were wonderful. Bradman rose to heights never suspected even of him. He showed all his dash and his unorthodox brilliance, and, in addition, he played some wonderful fighting innings when lie had to carry the side on his back. His fielding was superb, and his leadership inspiring. Brown did splendidly, and is a much better batsman in England than he is in Australia. O'Reilly bowled like a hero; witn but little support. It was wonderful how he kept going. McCabe played one magnificent innings ill a test, but that was '’all: His failure was a tremendous handicap to the side. Tnere were too many in the team who missed. Hassett played some good innings, and has a great future if he sticks to it. Badcock I could not fathom. He has it in him, I am sure, and will come again. Fingleton was not up to standard, and the same may be said of Ward and Waite.

It was a great mistake to leave McCormick out of the final test. He might nave made all the differenep. He was always trying, and might have succeeded at the Oval. Chipperfield and Barnes were unlucky. Chipperfield was evidently not :n good health, and finally had to go into hospital for an operation. Barnes, who should have a great future, will benefit by the experience. It was bad luck for him to be out of action for so long.

White’s failure to adapt himself to conditions was a great handicap to the side. He should have been coached and taught what to do. FleelwoodSmit'h was not up to his 1934 form. His teeth troubled him and prevented him from being really fit.

I have been criticised for my remarks about the wicket-keepers, Barnett and Walker. Barnett did a really good job and stood up to the hard work splendidly. Walker was often o.i the injured list; but, neither, I think, could be compared with the three great Australian wicket-keepers, Blackham, Kelly and Carter. I think Tallon, the Queenslander, is a better wicket-keeper than either. Botli Barnett and Walker are splendid fellows, but they are not in the chahipion class.

I think there were two mistakes in the selection. Lee should have been one of the opening batsmen, and Tallon should have been one of the wicket-keeper. Ebeling or Sievers would have been invaluable. As for the future, we must find some bowlers and some slip fieldsmen. lam very partial to Cook, the Queenslander, who can. make that ball run away, not only with the new ball, but also when the sheen has worn off. Parson is another to whom I am very partial. He can bat and bowl, and is a good slip field.

There is plenty to do to build up a team to meet the Englishmen in two years’ time, and we cannot start too soon to find men, to lilt the places that must be filled. I give you my opinion for what it is worth, but I shudder to think what the Australian team would have been without Bradman. Brown and O’Reilly, but it takes more than three men to make a team. It is no use closing your eyes to facts.