TEST FEVER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20587, 28 November 1936, Page 16 (Supplement)

TEST FEVER

1 AUSTRALIAN INTEREST

M.C.C. Pleases With the first Test. match only two i weeks away, public interest in the i M.C.C. team’s tour is beginning to ! build up to the edifice which means a | daily attendance of 60.000 or 70,000 at the Test matches in Sydney and Mel- | ourne. Test fever will soon be gripping the Australian populace. When they reached Sydney, with its sunshine, the Englishmen at last realised they had reached Australia. In Melbourne they had suffered all the vagaries of that city’s notorious climate from sweltering heat to rain, hail, and chilly winds. They had a magnificent reception from the Sydney people, and it is clear, from events early in the tour and in Sydney, that Australia is setting itself out to make this team’s tour particularly enjoyable and free from “incidents.” The team will contribute largely to that state of affairs. They are a happy band of pleasant sportsmen, led by a breezy good-natured, and sincere captain, whose words in responding to the official reception at Sydney won every heart. “This visit to Sydney,” said Allen, “in the position which I have the honour to occupy, is a big event in my life. I was born in this city, and I will always have a very soft spot in my heart for Sydney.” “We Will Improve” The team has scarcely made an auspicious beginning. To use Alien’s words, “the fielding has been bad, and the batting not what it can be.” “But, give us a little time,” Allen said, “and we will improve. I hope our fellows will give you the type of cricket you want.” Injuries and sickness certainly have handicapped the team. Wyatt, Robins, Duckworth, Ames, Copson, Voce, and Leyland have all been unavailable at some time or another. Wyatt, with a fractured arm, will be out until after the first Test. There are in the team several reserved, even shy, men, but one whose breeziness makes him prominent and popular is the unofficial vice-captain, R. W. V. Robins. He is a great lover and student of cricket, and his enthusiasm on and off the field is infectious. He has a flow of humour which even

the fractured finger he suffered at practice in Perth could not stem. Hammond, carrying his responsibilities as senior professional and champion batsman on broad shoulders, is as dapper as ever, and is the best dressed man in the team. On his third tour of Australia, Hammond seems to be keener than ever. Leyland, sturdy Yorkshireman, looks remarkably well after his illness, and the Test will find him as dour a fighter as ever. Australians like his lovable nature and quiet humour. The humorous and likeable Duckworth, the unruffled Wyatt, the tall, studious Verity are old friends. Voce, with Larwood, the centre of “legtheory” incidents four years ago, finds the atmosphere better than then, and has settled down to a pleasant tour. Of the men new to Australia, Fames is probably the most outstanding—handsome, tall, and dark, with a twinkle in his eyes revealing a keen sense of humour and pert remarks disclosing a good sense of observation. Fagg, red-headed Copson, and T. H. Wade, the emergency wicketkeeper pressed into senice owing to injuries to Ames and Duckworth, are a trio of young men who are eager to improve their cricket ability. Worthington, Hardstaff. and Sims are known through their inclusions in M.C.C. non-Test teams to Australia and New’ Zealand. Barnett and the sun-tanned fair-hair-ed Hardstaff are among the best-look-ing members of a team whose general appearance is excellent