AUSTRALIA’S TEST ELEVEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20585, 26 November 1936, Page 7

AUSTRALIA’S TEST ELEVEN

CHOSEN FOR MATCH AGAINST M.C.C. ENGLISH FORM UNDER CRITICISM United Press Association— By Elpetrlo Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 25, 7.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, November 25. Australia’s first test team to meet England at Brisbane in the match commencing on December 4, will be chosen from the following twelve players: D. G. Bradman (South Australia), captain. W. A. Brown (New South Wales). C. L. Badcock (oouth Australia). S, J. McCabe (New south Wales). J. H. Fingleton (New South Wales). A. G. Chipperfield (New South Wales) R. Robinson (New South Wales). W, J. O’Reilly (New South Wales).

W. A. Oldfield (New South Wales). F. A. Ward (South Australia). E, L. McCormick (Victoria). M. Sievers (Victoria). The selection of the Victorian allrounder (M. Sievers) caused some surprise. McCormick, McCabe and Robinson are to submit to medical examination.

ENGLISH FORM REVIEWED

WORST START ON RECORD Unites Press Association— By Blsctrlo Telegraph—Copyright [By J. B. Hobbs. Copyright In all countries, Reproduction In whole or In part forbidden.] SYDNEY, November 25. Marylebone made another deplorable start in the second innings against an Australian Eleven, when Bradman declared, and left them to score 257 to avoid an innings defeat. At lunch three wickets were down for 50, so we were struggling from the commencement. There was never any prospect of exciting batting for the crowd. To play for a draw was indicated. Runs were practically valueless, time being the governing factor. Batting Order Changed. Robins changed the batting order, Pfshlock being sent in first with Worthington in the hope that he would strike form. I quite agreed with tills policy, In fact. It is one I should have suggested myself. If FishlodS could have secured 20 before the spinners came on, he would have gained confidence. It was not to be. He has had an unhappy debut at Sydney, his scores being 1,3, 0,2. England’s opening partnership did not even reach double figures, so that a big stand for the first wicket has still to materialise. Batsmen Fail. Fagg looks a good player when at the wicket, and I cannot understand why he does not get more runs. He shapes better against slow bowling than Fishlock; that is why I suggested that the latter should go in first to get away from it, Worthington was another victim of timidness, He did go out to the ball, but was afraid to go the whole distance. With so much hanging over their heads, our batsmen had to think entirely about saving the game, and could not get the stroke practice they need. This must be the worst start of any team we have sent to Australia, despite the magnificent form of Hammond.

Still I am not absolutely discouraged yet, for several batsmen at this stage of the last tour had not got going, and it is not decided who should play in the first test. I can excuse the bowlers but not the batsmen, for everything was in their favour, and an England batsman, as I have already pointed out. should be able to play all types of bowling, Now Duckworth has broken his left forefinger. It occurred yesterday before lunch, when he took a fast full toss from Verity. It speaks volumes for his pluck that he continued to keep going. Leyland’s Great Effort. The great effort by Leyland saved the game, as it deserved to do last Tuesday, when he made 79, and we failed to stave off defeat. He received help from Ames and Robins, but carried the team on his shoulders. He was solid all day, attempting few strokes, except when playing to leg, or straight driving. He religiously refused to ent or hook.

Hardstaff was all at sea again to the slow stuff. What is wrong with this fine young player? Much now depended on whether Robins and Leyland could stay together. Bradman had persisted with his slow bowlers hour after hour. With 200 up, he at once took a new ball, and Ebeling promptly got Robins caught at slip. Verity was leg before, and Fames clean bowled, but Voce carefully kept away from the bowling, and the Yorkshireman managed to stick there to the last. Leyland never gave the semblance of a chance, and the Australian eleven were robbed of a victory Which undoubtedly they earned by superior cricket in all departments.