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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 24, 5 March 1914, Page 6

The all-round superiority of English over South African cHeket has tieen emphasised by the series of .victories which concluded' with a crushing defeat of the Cape representatives in the-fifth test match. South Africai'' has no player of ' the calibre of Sell war z, Vogler, Nourse, Faulkiner, and the late who, in their prime, could be relied on to (challenge effectively the best in the world. Things have changed. South African cricket has reached that stage when the old'hainds are showing signs of a lack of dash, and: the colts are yet in the budding stage. But 'English "coaches" are hard at work in the Cape, amd the dull period may not last long. A point which thie English'critics are likely to overlook in'connection with tbfe recent victories is that; the team was carried practieally ; by - twi> i men: Hobbs—whose claim te the

honour of finest batsman now playing the game will be disputed by Macartney —and that grea,t bowler Barnes. Without these two experts, an "AllEngland Eleven'' would be an easy prey for s the next Aus-. tralian team, which is due in South Africa this year. The Commonwealth Eleven promises to be a particularly hot proposition. With many of the champions of previous years to draw on, the selectors will have to consider, the claims of a number of unusually brilliant, youngsters, who have come into -the market, and , are bidding bravely. Great things are expected of the giant leftrhanded bowler Massif (son of an old international); of Ryder, who promises to tlake Noble's place as a batsman-bowler; of Collins, who is a member of the team now touring . New Zealand; and Baring, who has demonstrated a splendid batting skill and courage. If the aggressive Crawford were eligible, the recovery of the '' ashes'' would look a healthy betting proposition. Carrying but the triangular test idea, England will meet Austhe end of next year. The visitors will require to nurse Hobbs and Barnes till then. .