TEST TEAM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 26 (Supplement)

TEST TEAM.

Comment on Strength of Australians. AN ENGLISH APPRECIATION. LONDON, February 1. Enormous interest centres upon the Australian Test team. Newspapers are plastered with photographs, biographies and appreciations of those selected. The general impression, says the cricketing writer of “ The Times,” is that the team will be splendidly led, with very strong batting, doubtful to rather weak bowling, and stronger infielding, even without Richardson’s inspiration, but it is impossible to see how Woodfull will avoid a tail. Praise for Woodfull. The announcement of the team has produced mingled pleasure and sadness, says the writer. There is pleasure because England will welcome again Woodfull, most agreeable of captains; Ponsford, whose technique embraces a whole world of stroke-production; Kippax, deft deflector, able to transform the dullest afternoon into a period of joy and brightness. There is sadness Victor Richardson, whose Christian name is prefixed here because it belongs to him on and off the field, is not included. Although Brown is mentioned as a high-class opening batsman, it is hard to imagine Woodfull partnered with anybody except Ponsford. It can be assumed that there are sufficient batsmen to make as many runs as can decently be expected. The chief •trouble is pace bowlers. Wall is great-hearted, but not terrifically fast. lie tires owing to his long run. Even with Ebeling’s help, Woodfull may find it difficult to keep up appearances if the summer is hot and the wickets are fast. O’Reilly is Australia’s great hope and great gamble. If, as expected, he does better in England than in Australia, he may help Bradman to win the Tests. If he fails, the attack will possibly collapse with a thud. Hammond’s Prowess. The fact that Hammond took Fleet-wood-Smith by the scruff of the neck and hit him to every part of the field, with the result that for weeks the latter could not pitch the ball within feet of where he intended to, is not a disgrace. Others suffered similarly. Chipperfield’s selection suggests that he shows outstanding promise. “ The Star,” in a leading article, says that the selectors tackled a difficult task with their customary courage, especially in taking young men, which should at least ensure brighter cricket. The policy has paid Australia well in the past. “ Grimmett is not yet forgotten,” says the “ Star’s ” cricketing writer, adding that he is certain to be as deadly as Freeman in England. The writer regards the team as most impressive. Friends Again. Body line controversies and recriminations will be forgotten, he says, in the pleasure of welcoming Woodfull. The visit opens a new page of cricket history. “ We in England want to start all over again,” he continues. “ Bradman’s vice-captaincy is a surprise. It may be a tactical move to keep him sweet and make him forget such things as the Lancashire League.” The writer thinks that Fleetwood-Smith is the one real risk. Carr, interviewed, says that the team is strong in batting as it is weak in bowling. It fairly shouts for another left-hander, preferably Hill, because Ironmonger is such a dreadful fieldsman. He does not remember previously hearing Chipperfield’s name. He would have made Kippax vice-captain. He also anticipates that Richardson, despite his recent form, would have been included for his ground experience. As an instance of the world-wide interest, eleven journalists, including Americans, Canadians and South Americans, discussed team prospects for an hour while awaiting the decisions of the Wheat Conference. Comment on O’Reilly. According to expectations O’Reilly will be far deadlier in England than in Australia. P. G. Fender believes that from the opinions of opponents and others who have seen him, O’Reilly will turn out the kingpin of the attack and a big factor in the fight for the Ashes. The first six Australian batsmen are individually stronger than the English, says the “ Daily Mail.” but, after that, England is stronger. The Australian bowlers are less vigorous and varied than the English. England has the advantage on paper, but Australia will be benefited by traditions and cohesion. England’s probables are: Jardine, Sutcliffe, Walters, Hammond, Ames, Leyland, Langridge, Allen, Robins, Verity and Voce. A vast responsibility will fall on Woodfull and Bradman, says “ Cricketer ” in the “ Manchester Guardian.” A wet season would enable England to win the rubber, as England has spin bowlers. Woodfull is the best captain Australia ever had. He is a sportsman and a cricketer. Ames said that the team is as he expected, except for the omission of Fingleton. The “Yorkshire Post,” in a leading article, remarks that the tour alone will show whether age has affected the older men. Under Woodfull’s lead, Australia will have an organisation resembling Yorkshire’s and her strength will exceed the total of the individual factors. “We shall show the visitors that the recent debate has left no bad blood.” Sir Stanley Jackson, speaking at the meeting of the Yorkshire County Club, said that a batsman had the right to request a fieldsman to be moved if he stood so close as to be an interference. The time had come, also, to consider an alteration in the lbvv rule. Players’ Views. Larwood said he was surprised that Richardson was not chosen. His experience would have been most valuable. He was confident that O’Reilly would be a great success on English wickets. Sutcliffe declared that cricket-lovers would miss the great-hearted sportsman, Richardson, who formerly had been invaluable in preserving the Australians’ spirits in depressing circumstances. It was a formidable batting side, but the bowling was less strong O’Reilly’s deceptive flight and clever variation of pace will cause trouble on softer wickets. The same applies to Fleetwood-Smith. Though Carr says he does not remember Chipperfield, the latter, playing for Northern Districts of New South Wales against England in February last, scored 152 runs.