M.C.C. TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20493, 11 August 1936, Page 7

M.C.C. TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA

FIVE MORE PLAYERS SELECTED FAVOURABLE NEWSPAPER COMMENT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, August 9. The M.C.C. announces that the following additional players have been invited to tour Australia with the English cricket team next summer:— E. R. T. Holmes (Surrey). K. Fames (Essex). C. J. Barnett (Gloucestershire). J. M. Sims (Middlesex). W. Voce (Nottinghamshire). An additional wicket-keeper will be announced later. The members of the team chosen earlier were: G. O. B. Allen, captain (Middlesex). R. W. V. Robins (Middlesex). W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire). M. Leyland (Yorkshire). H. Verity (Yorkshire). L. B. Fishlock (Surrey). J. Hardstaff (Notts). G. Duckworth (Lancashire). T. S. Worthington (Derbyshire). W. Copson (Derbyshire). A. Fagg (Kent). Of the selected players Holmes, Sims and Hardstaff visited New Zealand with the last M.C.C. team. Inclusion of Voce. An outstanding point in the latest selection is the inclusion of Voce, the left-handed fast-medium bowler, who caused havoc among Woodfull’s men on the tour of Australia in 1932-33. He took fifteen wickets in four tests. Like Larwood, he did not play for England in the 1934 tests. Fames, 25 years of age, 6ft 4in in height, is also a fast bowler. Good Side Chosen. The cricketing correspondent of “The Times” commenting on the Marylebone players for Australia, says that generally speaking it is surprising what a good side has been evolved from what seemed precious poor material earlier in the season. They certainly will do well. Fames and Voce are the most welcome choices. They are men to stand up to hard work. It is splendid to see Voce again in the English team, and feel that much of the unpleasant nonsense stirred up two years ago has been cleared up and forgotten. It is all the greater pity that his comrade (Larwood) in many great bowling performances is not included. Mr Moult writing in “The Daily Telegraph,” says that Larwood was not included in the team for Australia owing to foot trouble. He did not desire to play first-class cricket except for his county. The Board of Control and the Selection Committee have treated this decision confidentially, hc v that Voce and Larwood might alter their attitude in the meantime. Neither Marylebone nor the selectors had been able to consider either player as available for representative cricket. Marylebone has now received an entirely satisfactory statement from Voce, who placed himself unreservedly at the disposal of the Board and the Selection Committee, whenever his services are required. Therefore there is no objection to Voce being considered on his merits for any representative team. “T Daily Herald” says that the chairman at a meeting of the Selection Committee said that Voce and Larwood coud not be considered until they had apologised for their past indiscretions. The position was unchanged a fortnight ago, but recently the Marylebone Cricket Club made contact with Voce, who sent a letter to the Committee, knowing beforehand that his apology would be favourably received. Well Balanced Team. “The Morning Post” says that Mr P. E. Warner has completed his biennium selectorship and has now retired. He reveals that the selectors chose Voce because both over and round the wicket, he easily adapts himself to the conditions. Copson is very quick off the wicket. Sims, although of the leg-break “googly” school, differs from Robins in that he makes the ball jump and he may be most useful in view of the new leg-before rule. The side is particularly strong in fielding. Hardstaff, Holmes, Fishlock, Barnett and Leyland are good outfields. Hammond, Voce. Robins and Fagg are good in the slips, Robins and Hardstaff are cover-points and Worthington is a good all-rounder.