WHO THEY ARE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 21 (Supplement)

WHO THEY ARE.

Summary of Australian Test Side. Following are brief personal details of the Australian Test cricketers: W. M. Woodfull (36), school teacher. Has captained Australia in two series against England, and also against West Indies and South Africa. Has made 1447 runs with an average of 48.23 an innings. “ Old Steadfast ” has made six centuries, a number which Trumper equalled and Bradman alone has exceeded. D. G. Bradman (25), journalist. Greatest run-getter of all time. Holds most of the batting records, including world’s highest score (452 not out) and highest in an Australia-England Test (334). Has made 1838 runs with an average of 87.52, and has compiled seven centuries, a record for an Australian. B. A. Barnett (26), insurance clerk, second wicketkeeper. At school was a slow bowler. Splendid ’keeper and fine left-hand batsman who will develop. Could be played in a county match for batting. Has not played in a Test. E. H. Bromley (21), sports salesman. Mystery man of cricket, for there probably has never been a player of whom such divergent views are held. Played one Test against England, getting 26 and 7. Has been in Shield cricket only about twelve months. Made a century for Victoria against South Australia this season and won the game for his side. Played fine cricket in Sydney recently. Is one of the finest fields in Australia, and may develop into a useful left-hand bowler. W. A. Brown (22), sports salesman. Started first-class career last season and has developed each game. This season made 154 against Queensland and 205 against Victoria. Last season batted well against England. Should make a great player as result of tour. Good field. L. S. Darling (24), clerk. A lefthand batsman and right-hand bowler, who came into the Test side last season and gave great promise for the future. Has been a prolific scorer in the last two seasons. Has made 148 runs against England, with an average of H. Ebeling (29), clerk. Has not played overmuch, because he had in the past to choose between work and cricket. A regular in the Victorian side. Bowls medium-fast right-hand. Batsmen who play against him speak highly of him. Fair bat and good field. Has not played in a Test. L. O’B. Fleetwood-Smith (23), sports salesman. Was originally right-hand bowler, but, owing to accident, developed into left-hander. Bowls offbrcak to right-hand batsman and also bosey. Most unusual type. Has lacked accuracy, but this season has improved in that regard. May be successful in England, though difficult to estimate

how he will fare. Would do better to bowl on off-stump rather than negative leg stuff. C. V. Grimmett (41), salesman. Has made two trips to England with great success, and has 81 wickets in Tests against England for 34.2 each. Still best bosey bowler in the land, though obviously not as good as he was. A. F. Kippax (35), company director, the Australian stylist. Has made 717 with an average of 35.85 and with one century. Was very consistent on the last tour, being second in the averages to Bradman. Has played fine cricket this season. A. Chipperfield (27), cricket coach. Fine all-rounder, splendid slip, good batsman and useful bosey bowler. Should do very well in the future. S. J. M’Cabe (23), sports salesman. The baby among Australia’s experienced players, and probably the best all-rounder there. Has made 595 runs with an average of 39.66, including one century—the brilliant 187 not out in Sydney last season. Has taken eleven wickets for 439 runs. W. A. Oldfield (36), the finest wicketkeeper of his time. Played with A.I.F. side, and is only member still in big cricket. Has made three trips and has played in 28 Tests, easily the biggest number of any member of the present side. Batting average in Tests 27.32 for 929 runs. W. J. O’Reilly (28), school teacher. Australia’s greatest bowler. Played last season against England and took 27 wickets for 27.25 apiece. Has not been at his top this year after the gruelling of the previous season, but took nine for 50 against Victoria on a perfect wicket. Should be a great success. W. H. Ponsford (33), clerk, one of the greatest run-getters the game has known. Has played for Australia since 1924-25 season and has made 989 runs at 36.62 an innings, with three centuries. T. W. Wall (30), school teacher. Australia’s fast bowler. Played one Test and then went to England with the last side. Since then has played against West Indies, South Africa and England in Australia. Trier all the time. Has 37 wickets in Tests against England for 32.64 apiece.