ENGLISH CRICKETERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 109, 9 May 1936, Page 4

ENGLISH CRICKETERS

THE TEAM FOR AUSTRALIA A SYDNEY-BORN CAPTAIN ‘‘GRUBBY’’ ALLEN SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT WOULD BE WELCOME ‘..Special Air Alai] Sei vice) LONDON, April 11. The first sign that cricket wdl again become a subject of contra versy is available. Theie is talk that G. 0. Allen may take the English team out to Australia this summer. This is what the sports editor of a big London paper has to say about it: “Over three months ago I was able to reveal that G. O. Allen, ihe Sydneyborn cricketer, was being mentioned as a possible candidate for the captaincy of England’s Test team for Australia. I was right. Now, Allen, always a favourite among the maudarina of cricket, is likely to be “gr .umed” for the job in this summer’s matches with the Indian touring side. Certain AI.C.C. chiefs want him. And I know that Australia would welcome his appointment to the leadership of the next side we send “down under.’’ He is popu lar with Australians—for. as I have said, was be not born in Sydney .’ “Why is Allen, out of big cricket most of last season after an operation, getting support for a job of work which if we arc not to be made look ridieuous, should go to an Englishman? The key to the question is one word —body-line! When the AlidHlescx amateur went to Australia with Jardine’s team, lie was never in the storm over the form of attack which set England on the high road to victory. “ ‘Body-line was never attributed to Allen,’ said ‘Plum’ Warne.”, chief of the England selectors. “So there it is. Our next team to go to Australia will be on some sort of a peace mission. Tt will not matter whether or not they regain the Ashes so long as they please Australian crowds. “Now. whole-beared cricketer though ‘Grubby* Allen is there are men better fitted for the job of England’s captain, if the selectors. a-< seems almost certain, are to jettison R. E. S. Wyatt, square-jawed, rather uii’maginativelooking Warwickshire amateur, from the leadership. “Straightway, I think of Walter Robins, a googly bowler who, on his day, can win a match in half an hour. Robins led Middlesex last season with real flair. Robins is regarded bv firstclass cricketers as a magnificent allrounder, well-fitted to lead England. “ Watch his slightly handv little legs twinkling as he scuds along the boundary to save a certain-looking four. See him working wholeheartedly all through a match. Thrill to his cavalier displays with the bat. “Yes, Robins is an inspiration to his team-mates. Yet the men behind the scenes in cricket are already planning, it seems, to pass him over for Austra-lian-born 'Hen."