CRICKET TESTS

Southland Times, Issue 20675, 22 December 1928, Page 7

CRICKET TESTS

ENGLAND’S VICTORIES AUSTRALIANS STILL HOPEFUL NEED OF FAST BOWLER (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph-Copyright.) Sydney, December 21. Commenting on the teat cricket the Herald says: “Australia views the English accomplishments against the States without misgiving. The latter showed excellent form and the man in the street reckoned the pick of Australia anyway would hold their own. Then came the debacle of the first test which left us stunned and bewildered. If that was the best our men could do the rubber was already decided and the Ashes were England’s. Australia, however, recovered her poise, remembered that all men had weak moments and hoped the second test would redeem the position. The hope vvas dashed, however. Australia made a dramatic recovery in the second innings, but the English bowlers again mastered the position. The noninclusion of a fast bowler in the Australian side is condemned in many quarters. This department should be strengthened. A test team without a fast bowler is analogous to Hamlet minus the Prince. There are still three matches to play. We have not abandoned hope despite initial reverses.” The Telegraph says: “Those who hoped the Australians would make the Englishmen fight for victory were disappointed, but the batting of the home side was of sufficient quality to give added zest to future contests.” The Telegraph states that Oxenham, the Queensland all-rounder, has been requested to go to Melbourne. —Australian Press As sociation.

AUSTRALIA’S THIRD TEST TEAM. SELECTION BY CLEM HILL. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December 20. P. F. Warner, in the Morning Post, says: “The Australians on this occasion seem to have mastered Larwood, but the Melbourne ground is more a fast bowler’s wicket. If Australia wins the toss I shall be hoj>etul of Larwood snicking out one or two batsmen at the beginning of the game. The Australians will fight the remaining matches to the last ditch, but 1 believe our splendid side is destined to retain the Ashes.” The Daily Express editorially hopes that Australia will overcome her bad luck at Melbourne. “It is the strongest team of the Commonwealth unhandicapped by injured men we want to beat this time.” Clem Hill says that there should be six certainties for the next test. Woodfull, Oldfield, Grimmett and V. Richardson seem to be automatic selection. The last-named Is a pivot of an inspiring example of a fieldsman. “I should not hesitate to give him the captaincy, leaving Ryder minus the cares of captaincy and free to play his natural game. He and Hendry should be included for all round ability. Nothling must be dropped; his bowling is classless. Blackie should also be omitted and Bradman included. If we had two Woodfulls, one at each end, the danger of Larwood’s bowling would vanish, after which the English bowlers would not be dangerous. The best team would be Richardson, Woodfull, Hendry, Ryder, Oldfield, Grimmett, Bradman, Ironmonger, a’Beckett and Kippax or Andrews.”—Australian Press Association. TRIBUTE TO AUSTRALIANS’ STAND. CAPACITY TO FIGHT BACK. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, December 21. The Daily Herald, in an editorial, says the second test will go down to history as showing Australia’s capacity to fight back in the face of terrific odds. The English bowlers have been shown to be not invincible. The third test may be a more balanced struggle than the first two. It would be foolish to imagine that Australian cricket is in such a parlous state as England's runaway victories would suggest. The second test was not without shocks to England. White was mastered, Sutcliffe was nothing like up to form, and Jardine was painful, but correct. Though Larwood is potentially the finest bowler in either side, there seems room for an experiment when the next team is chosen. —Australian Press Association.

MATCH AT NEWCASTLE. HOME SIDE AT THE WICKETS. (Rec. 11.35 p.m.) Newcastle, December 21. The match between England and Newcastle and Hunter River Districts eleven commenced in cool dull weather on a perfect wicket. The Newcastle and Hunter River Districts won the toss and opened their innings in the presence of about 2,000 people. Dr. E. Barbour captained the home side. Leyland was twelfth man for England. This is the first time an English team has played on the Newcastle Cricket Ground for 25 years, the last occasion being against “Plum” Warner’s team. The Hunter District will bat twelve men, but field with only eleven. The batsmen gave a bright display. Chief interest was in Bettington’s exhibition. He hit a number to the boundary. Osland and Henderson took liberties with the English bowling and rather surprised the spectators. There were frequent changes of bowlers, but the fielding of the Englishmen was loose. Larwood to-day was not given a turn with the ball. Apparently he is being spelled. The match was held up for 50 minutes owing to rain, the wicket being covered during that period. Following are the scores: COMBINED ELEVEN. —First Innings.— O. Oaland, c Tate b White .... 76 Cummins, b Tate 3 Moy, run out 18 Henderson, std. Ames b Hendren . . 60 R. H. Bettington, b Hendren .... 53 Barbour, b Freeman 22 Davis, not out 32 Bramble, c Hendren b Freeman ... 16 Extras 2 Total for seven wickets .... 282