“AUSTRALIAN TERRORS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16452, 14 June 1921, Page 8

“AUSTRALIAN TERRORS.”

PARALYSIS OF FEAR. LONDON, June o. The Australians continue to be the rutstanding sporting sensation. All the newspapers are devoting polumns daily in discussing how to Seat what one journal scare-heads as 1,1 The Australian Cricket Terror.” The Notts debacle and the unbroken loss of nix tests have created an unpiecedented intensity of national feeling, completely upsetting the traditional phlegm. It has become an absolute obsession that the ' Australians must be beaten. Critics and correspondents shower advice upon the players in the tests, and urge them to overcome the creeping paralysis of fear and terror and to face the bowling boldly and hit it. The “Sunday Express” goes so

far as to put up a heading, “ Only Bravo Men Wanted in the Test Matches-”

Armstrong’s bowling at Lord’s on Saturday gave the spiciest diversion to the controversy which has hitherto raged as to the best way of playing M’Dona Id and Gregory. Ilis feat of taking five wickets for 15 runs and sticking up the champion county batsmen has caused much rueful discussisn as to the possibility of the Australian skipper being the destroying angel in the next test. It was the only topic discussed during the tea interval. The “Observer” writes

IV hat is the best way to play Armstrong, back or forward? ” The paper adds, “ Those hitting him get caught; those playing back are either howled or are l.b.w. In any- case, Armstrong is likely to head the bowling averages in September, including the tests.” Lord's presented a remarkable spectacle on Saturday, 20,000 anxious-eyed

spectators gloomily watching the giant Australian at th©_ crease, and bursting into frenzied cheering such as is rarel v accorded the making of a century when Morrell scooped Armstrong for the first lofty four. Should Australia go down in the second test the shout of English triumph may roach Australian shoies. Douglas at present beads the bat ting averages with 59.20 for 14 innings.