COMMENT ON TEST CRICKET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19860, 25 July 1934, Page 9

COMMENT ON TEST CRICKET

AUSTRALIAN FORM PRAISED

SUBSTANTIAL RELIEF FOR TAXPAYERS

United Prc Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, July 23. Commenting on the Test, the Australian Press Association says:—“The stoutness of England's defence gives greater cause for thankfulness, that the Australians, this morning, did not attempt to gild the lily by setting themselves out to make a colossal score. They have made enough to force victory, unless rain comes to England’s rescue. If the batting to-morrow equals to-day’s patience and skill, the finish may yet be interesting, though it seems to be expecting too much to anticipate that the remaining six wickets will see out six and a half hours of Grimmett’s and O’Reilly’s bowling on a wicket which must be progressively less easier.” The spectators were deprived of the fireworks that they naturally anticipated before lunch by the excellence of the English bowling. Bowes recovered his accuracy and vim and Verity’s length was consistently good. Consequently, there was no chance of the batsmen attacking more than an occasional ball. Curiously, though recklessness would have been justifiable, most of the Australian wickets to-day fell on defensive strokes. The real tragedy for England was Hammond’s unfortunate dismissal. Wyatt deserves great praise for the solidity of his innings. D. R. Jardine, writing in “The Daily Express” says: “England was outselected. out-batted, out-bowled, and out-fielded.” J. B. Hobbs, writing in “The Star,” says: “England was outplayed chiefly by better batting.” B. T. Bosanquet, writing in “The Daily Mail,” says that Bradman, thus far, on a good wicket, ranks with the greatest batsmen he has seen. He adds that England is in an- unenviable position, every chance of saving the match having gone except rain. Bradman Injured. D. G. Bradman, In chasing a ball in the outfield, strained his right thigh muscle and it is extremely doubtful whether he will field to-morrow. He will need to rest it because it is the same thigh he strained in a fall at Nottingham. Bradman will not field to-morrow, and will bat only in the direst emergency. He will return to London tomorrow for treatment and will not play in the next two matches. His thigh muscles are badly torn. INCLUSION OF LARWOOD ILL-TIMED CLAMOUR CRITICISED United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrlgnt LONDON, July 23. “The Daily Mail” says: The clamour for the inclusion of Harold Larwood, the Notts express bowler, in the English team for the Fifth Test, is 111-timed. “One would think that a great disaster has overtaken the nation because two Australians make very fine scores. The people who are demanding the inclusion of Larwood, who has thrice refused to assist the country, would be unreasonable to expect him to abandon his stand and equally unreasonable to expect the selectors to go cap-in-hand to ask Larwood to reconsider the position. The people, instead of recognising Brudman's genius, are heaping the blame on the poor bowlers,” the paper adds.