IN QUEST OF “ THE ASHES.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 21 December 1925, Page 9

IN QUEST OF “ THE ASHES.”

England’s Perplexing Problem. PUTTING COUNTRY BEFORE COUNTY. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Associative. Received Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 18. Opinion in cricket circles favours putting country before county, in connection with the projected suspension of county cricket, during the Australian visit. There is a unanimity of opinion that anything tending to handicap England’s chances of regaining “the Ashes” should be eliminated. J. W. T. H. Douglas voices the ewpoint of another section, to the effect that the smaller clubs would be ruined. He points out that many prefer to work to the last moment, before facing the Australians. The professionals are inclined to disagree with suspension on the grounds of monetary losses. Maurice Tate, one of the hardestworked, sums up tliusly: “If selected, and I hope to be given a chance to skittle a few of Australians timbers, I shall ask to be allowed to rest. The Australians nurse their men, and it should be possible to do the same here. It is not advisable for a player to rush breathlessly from a county match to play the Australians.” Colonel Trevor, In the “Daily Telegraph,” stresses the urgency of team work, which only recently has been regarded as applicable to cricket. In the past, comparisons of the Eng- i lish and Australian Elevens have appeared on paper, tg the favour of the Englishmen. Nevertheless the Aus- , tralians persisted in winning, thereby proving their superiority in team work, especially in relation to bowling and fielding. Unfortunately, England is handicapped in the way the Australians are not, by the fact that first class cricket in England is more of financial business than a game, while the English public are not so keen on tests as the Australian crowds. Therefore it may be difficult to suspend county matches. Nevertheless, England badly needs a victory to restore her prestige which has suffered seriously, and which flimsy excuses have only made her ridiculous. England must run financial risks if she does not. mean to run the greater risk of immeparably damaging her cricket prestige.