BATSMEN AT FAULT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 926, 22 November 1933, Page 11

BATSMEN AT FAULT.

Recent Test Matches in Australia. I. B. CROMB RETURNS. Tor Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 21. The controversy that raged in Australia regarding bodyline bowling last season during the tour of the M .C.C. team was referred to by Mr I. B. Cromb, the New Zealand player, on his arrival in Wellington by the Wanganclla to-night.

Mr Cromb left New Zealand at the end of February, principally for business purposes, but during the past season he played for the East Lancashire Club in the Lancashir e League. Mr Cromb said he had heard some Interesting admissions from Charley Ma-

cartnev and Hugh Trumble. Macartney, he said, stated that in the last series of matches against Australia Larwood was only dangerous in the first match in Sydney, when he was making the ball lift off a good length. In the other games he could not make the ball bounce and Macartney's opinion was that the trouble lay in the Australians’ batting. The Australians did not make an effort to play for Australia, but rather played for themselves as individuals. That seemed rather a “ tough thing ’’ for Macartney to say, but he said it, nevertheless. Fault of Batsmen.

Trurrfble said that the real danger from bodyline bowling arose in the first test, and when Woodfull and Oldfield were hit it was definitely their own fault and not that of the bowling. “ The ball that hit Woodfull on the heart would have hit me on the solar plexus, which shows that he was crouching,” he said, “ and the only complaint that Macartney and Trumble had was that the leg theory bowling was dangerous to second-class batsmen on concrete wickets. If a man were good enough to get in an Australian team he should be good enough to play the bowling. They only condemned leg theory bowling on account of the danger to second-class batsmen. First-class batsmen should be good enough to play it.” The general' attitude at Home was that leg theory bowling would not be bowled for reasons more political than anything else. It was not considered expedient in view of the possibility of the friendly relationship between the Homeland and Australia being endangered. Feeling Still High. Feeling against bodyline bowling was exceedingly high in Australia still and the test matches were generally regarded as possessing more significance than mere sport. It was common talk at Home that the Nawab of Pataudi was included in the English team in place of “ Patsy ” Hendren because of the Indian question. There was no doubt that the test matches now played an important part in determining the relationships between England and Australia. “ You would be surprised at the intense feeling against bodyline bowling in Australia,” he added, “ which, at the time of the tests, aroused a positive hatred against England. It is now little better, but I do not think it is a desirable thing.” Mr Cromb, who is accompanied by his father, Mr G. B. Cromb, will continue to play for the Lancaster Park Club in Christchurch. SUBURBAN GAMES. Management Committee Meets. The Management Committe of the Suburban Cricket Association met last evening. Mr E. King presiding. On account of a report submitted by a member of the Umpires' Association regarding a remark passed by a player subsequent to a decision, it was decided to Issue a warning- to all players that if any cases of sarcastic remarks were reported the offenders would be severely dealt with. The following: team has been selected to play In the Sub-Associations’ Shield match against Ellesmere, at Springston, on November 29 and 30:—X. Stokes. S. Cawtheray, T. Sincock. T. Waine, T. Coomber, H. Thompson, A. Cullen. W. Oliver. W. Owen. F, Harris (captain), J. M’Ewen; twelfth man, N. Archer. The team will leave by motor bus at ft a.m. on November 29 from the Bridge of Rem em bra nee. Messrs E. King, H. Rogers, A. Blackwood and S. Cawtheray were appointed as a judicial committee to hear any cases reported by umpires. Umpires for Fourth Hound. The following umpires have been appointed for the fourth round: , Senior—Mairehau v. Railway, at Sydenham No. ft, Messrs C. M’Lachlan and R. Campbell ; W.M.C. v. Shirley, at Richmond Park, Messrs tv. PowelJ and K H Perrin; Sunnyside v. Beckenham. ‘ at Sunnyside. Messrs L. Hebberd and D. Lagan. Senior B—Templeton v. Clock Tower, at Templeton, Messrs K. Sim and E. King; Spreydon v. Merivale. at Barrington Park, Messrs A. Blackwood and J. Wylie; Marist v. Beckenham, at Beckenham. Messrs E. O’Connor and J. Fleming. Junior a—Harewood v. Shirley, at St James Park, Messrs G. Pitt and H. Nevin: Riccarton v. Provincial Buildings, at Hospital Corner No. 6, Messrs J. Roberts and A. B. Stanley; St Albans v. Avon, at St Albans, Messrs L. Duckworth and C. Cooke. Junior B—Sltwafrt’s Gully v. Shirlev, at Waltham Messrs S. Hocking and M. Campbell: Lrl win’s v. Avon, at I,in wood park, Messrs H. Rogers and c. WinVeterans’ Club. A match lias been arranged for tomorrow afternoon at Hagley Park between the Veterans Club and a team from the Ruru Club, to si art at two o'clock. Relief Workers’ Games. Following is the draw for to-mdrrow and Friduy, at 2 p.jn.~c’ausewav v New Brighton, at New Brighton, ThuraTtapaki v. Summit, at Barring-ton Park; Lake y. Ruru, at Linwood Park; Estuary v. Glasnevln, at Barrington Park; Drainage v. Burwood. at Bromley Park.