DECIDING MATCH OF SERIES

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1934, Page 7

DECIDING MATCH OF SERIES

EACH SIDE WITH ONE WIN SELECTION OF THE TEAMS The fifth and deciding test match to commence at Kennington Oval, London, to-day will follow an appreciated lull in the intense, excitement aroused ,by , the closely-contested cricket campaign. The first four tests provided thrills in plenty, with each side winning and losing one match and drawing two. In the rivalries between the teams and the countries there could be no better setting for this deciding match of the series. The teams start off with the slate clean and the men refreshed by the interval. If the weather is fine the game should have a capping of competitive sting to equal the best of the other four, and probably transcend them. The Australians should be able to ' place in the field their fittest eleven of the five matches. W. M. Woodfull is himself again in manipulating the bat. He has scored 17 centuries .in England, his last being his 228 not out against Glamorganshire. W. H. Ponsford and S. J. McCabe have maintained their uniform batting form. Don Bradman, although out of the game for a time, seems to have suffered nothing for his rest because of thigh trouble. 1- A. Kippax also appears to have regained ' his best batting form. •The bowling, due to the effectiveness of both Ebeling and Fleetwood-Smith, will cause ; some hard thinking on the part of the selection committee. It may be possible that both the Victorian men may find a place. If Wall is not available matters will be simplified, but. in a normal case one is inclined to think that the attack will rest with Wall,. Ebeling, Grimmett and O’Reilly. Kippax, too, would be unfortunate to be passed over on present all-round form. English selectors again place their chief reliance on the performers in the previous tests. Sutcliffe is the opening batsman. The difficulty is to find a suitable opening partner, and probably the inclusion of the Surrey opening batsman, Gregory, would solve the problem. Hammond, Wyatt, Leyland, Hen- ■ dren and Ames have all retained batting form, although Hendren was reported to have injured his elbow. At the request of the selectors he batted on Thursday and scored 72 not out. It is doubtful whether Walters will be availThe attacking strength will need some sorting out. Gover, Bowes and Clark are the fast bowlers, while Verity and Peebles are slower-paced. It .is regrettable that Voce has not found a place m the side as he is probably the best lefthand fast bowler in the cricket world. But, considering the unfortunate demonstration at Nottingham, and, according to English cable messages, his exhibition in the second innings, it would probably affect all future cricket between the two countries. Nevertheless, whatever the partisan views of cricket supporters, and whoever the players chosen, everyone will voice the maxim of the true fol.owers of all sports, "May the best team win.”