LAST OF THE TESTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16506, 17 August 1921, Page 6

LAST OF THE TESTS.

The fifth and last of the cricket tests between England and Australia has ended in a draw. Th© honours of the game were very evenly divided, though

the Englishmen's first innings score was slightly tho better. It is not the practice in the Old Country to play test matches out to a finish, irresi>ectivo of the time occupied, as that might seriously interfere with import-ant county fixtures. Three days are allowed for each test, and in the first three of the series the time allowance was sufficient for the Australians to win handsomely. However, that result was only possible because of the nstonishing failure of the English teams to stand up to "t he Australian attack, which was one of the strongest ever launched in the history of test cricket. Australia has every reason to be satisfied with the results of tho tour. Tho team hah never been beaten, and it was nevei faced with the certainty of defeat in matches which were not played to a finish. As is always the case, cricket reputations have been mado and lost during tho tour. Players who were mighty men in Australia have not succeeded in reproducing their form in England, while some of the Home champions have lamentably failed to rise to the expectations of their admirers. The tour has been a memorable one in many respects, but there have been a few

“ incidents” which have created a feeling winch should not bo imported into the game. The Australian “ barracking,” of which some of the English players complained, bae been imitated by the Old Country crowds, but a note of bitterness has been introduced which was absent, “down under.” An Australian crowd at its worst could not have surpassed in hostility some of the demonstrations on the English grounds. If the tours are to strengthen the friendly rivalry which has so long existed between English and Australian cricket this now and undesirable element must be eliminated.