England’s Cricket Captain Always Out To Score Runs.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17882, 25 June 1926, Page 5

England’s Cricket Captain Always Out To Score Runs.

NOT SINCE DAYS OF GILBERT JESSOP HAS THERE BEEN A BIGGER HITTER.

(Special to the “Star.”) ( LONDON, Afay 20. I Arthur William Carr, an old Sherborne schoolboy, has been appointed captain of the England eleven for the first of the five Test matches against the Australians, which takes place at Nottingham next month. There is nothing surprising about his selection. As perhaps the best amateur batsman, he is in every way fitted for the post. He entered first-class cricket at the age of seventeen, whilst still at school, and he has proved himself a wise’captain of Notts, as well as a most capable all-round player. When his appointment was announced, Carr declared that he had achieved his highest ambition. The story is told that last summer, when he scored off all bowlers with equal ease, it was suggested to him that he might become the leader of the English team against the Australians. Straightway he entered upon a course of the strictest training, and

his batting improved in such marked fashion that he was encouraged to go on leading a Spartan life. Carr’s selection is specially pleasing, because he is not a bowler. Previous captains who have been bowlers, have either been too slow to put themselves on, or too reluctant to take themselves off. Indeed, England has not had an outstanding captain, who has been a bowler, since the Hon F. S. Jackson, and in his case, though he was at the head of the averages, he always gave the other men a chance before going on himself. A Second Jessop. One of Carr's strongest qualities is his ability to inspire his men. Indeed, as a batsman it has been remarkable that he has generally made runs when they have been badly wanted. Again, he is never prepared to flatter a bowler. All the time he is at the wicket, he is out to score runs. Not since the days of Gilbert Jessop has there been a bigger hitter. On fifty occasions last season, he hit the ball over the rails, or out of the ground, and yet he showed a sound defence. In choosing Carr it is felt that a good start has been made. The first of the trial matches, prior to the completion of the English team, is to take place at Bristol next week, when a side representing the South will meet the Australians. It is to be a trial in the fullest sense. That is to say, such players as Hobbs and Tate, certainties for the Test, have not been called upon. In this way opportunities have been made for some of the younger men, such as G. T. S. Stevens, A. P. F. Chapman, D. R. Jardine, and C. H. Gibson, who has just returned from the Argentine, and who, if he retains his old skill with the ball, may be picked to play at Nottingham. Of the professionals, Hendren, Sandham, and Strudwick have been selected. So far Sandham has been the most consistent batsman in the country. His consecutive minings have been 61 and 84 against Hampshire, 7 against Glamorgan, 84 against the Australians, and 67 against Essex. Hobbs’s partner in the Surrey eleven is going the right way to command his place in the England team. Australian Cricketer’s Misfortune. After having made the journey from Australia, it is wretched luck to be stricken with illness, which will prevent any part being played in most of the tour. This has been ttfe unhappv experience of H. L. Hendry. He fell ill, and it was found that he had contracted scarlet fever. In these circumstances he had to be taken to hospital, and, though fortunately it is not a serious case, he will not be able to join his colleagues for six or seven weeks. Meanwhile, cricket goes on under dull skies, and in a cold wind which numbs the hands and makes fielding and even batting most disagreeable. Still, the Australians continue to show strong scoring powers. So far Macartney has stood out above his colleagues. To him all bowling seems to be alike. One or two overs suffice to enable him to get his eye in. and then one can sit back arid enjoy his sparkling play, and be prepared to see him make a century. It is true that he does not always succeed, but one feels that he would do so, if the runs were really needed. It is * significant that there has been no failure in batting. From this point of view every member of the side has so far justified himself. The Weak Spot. But in bowling the Australians have been nothing like as impressive, and already it is obvious that the main task of the English team in the Test matches will be to get them out. Thus the belief that draw will follow draw in the Tests becomes stronger. On the whole, it has been a drab opening to the summer game. Usually some player makes a close race for a thousand runs during May, but, as yet, no one is within sight of four figures. Indeed, one cannot recall a season when there have been so few big scores recorded. In bowling, too, there have been no sensational feats, though Tate and Macaulay, the men whom we shall chiefly have to rely on to get the Australians out, have got their wickets as cheaply as ever. But there is still no sign of a fast bowler. A. E. R. Gilligan is playing for Sussex, but his form to date would hardly justify his selection for England. The wickets have not, of course, been fast enough to suit him, and he has suffered in the same manner as Gregory, the Australian fast bowler.

American Golfers’ First Test. Though the first impulse of the American golfers, on arriving in London, in the middle of the great strike was to catch the next boat home, they will now be able to carry out their full pro gramme. They made their first appearance in. a competition at Sandwich, as aspirants for the gold cup of the Royal St George’s Club. When the tourists were last here this valuable trophy was carried off by Francis Ouimet, and they were very keen to capture the prize again. But, unfor-

tunately for their chances, play took place under very severe conditions. A thirty-miles-an-hour gale swept over the course from the sea, and it was bitterly cold. In these circumstances it was hardly to be expected that they would do themselves justice. Bobbie Jones, however, started in wonderful form, reaching the turn in 37, when other men were taking forty and over. But he wore only a thin woollen jersey, and he felt the cold so much that his fingers became numb. The result was that he took 44 for the second nine holes, and a total of 81 was not nearly as good as might have been expected. On his second round, Jones was even less successful, taking 86. At the finish he was a little bewildered, declaring that he could not remember the last occasion when he had squandered so many strokes. A Giant of toe Links. The most successful of the Americans was George von Elm, who tied for second place with Robert Harris, the British amateur champion, three strokes behind C. O. Hezlet, who had rounds of 80 and 78. . The latter score was the best of the day, so that the severity of the conditions will be realised. Ilezlet is an Irishman, standing well over six feet, and weighing more than 14st. In the boisterous wind, his mighty power was a big asset, but, with all his big hitting, he controlled the ball exceedingly well. He was the beaten finalist in the championship of 1914, but he is a great deal better golfer to-day, and he is sure to be selected for the match for the Walker Cup at St Andrews. After Sandwich, the Americans went on to Rye, to play the Oxford and Cambridge Society in a friendly foursome match. Then, after spending one day in London, they left for Scotland, to prepare for the championship, which takes place at Muirfield next week.