NO EXCUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 280, 26 November 1936, Page 7

NO EXCUSE

ENGLISH BATSMEN AUSTRALIANS SUPERIOR , TIME REQUIRED, NOT RUNS (By J. B. Hobbs—Copyright in all countries—Reproduction in whole or part forbidden). SYDNEY, Nov. 24. The M.C.C. made another deplorable start to an innings to-day when Bradman declared and left them to score 256 to avoid an innings defeat. At the luncheon adjournment, throe wickets were down for 50, so we were struggling from the commencement. There was never any prospect of exciting batting for the crowd. To play for a draw was indicated. Runs were practically valueless, time being the governing factor. Robins changed the batting order, Fishlock being sent in first with Worthington in hope that he would strike form. *1 quite agreed with this policy; in fact, it is one I should have suggested myself. If Fishlock could have got 20 before the spin bowlers came on, he would have gained confidence. It was not to be. He has had an unhappy debut at Sydney, his scores being 1,3, 0,2. England did not even reach double figures, so that a big stand for the first wicket has still to materialise. Fagg looks a good player when at the wicket, and I cannot understand why he does not get more runs. He shapes better against the slow bowling than Fishlock. That is why I suggested the latter should go In first to get away from it. Worthington was another victim of timidness. He did go out to the ball, but was afraid to go the whole distance. With so much hanging over their heads, our batsmen had to think entirely about saving the game, and could not get the stroke practice they need. This must be the worst start of any team we have sent to Australia, despite the magnificent form of Hammond. Still, I am not absolutely discouraged yet, for several batsmen at this stage of the last tour had not got going, and it was undecided who should play in the first Test. I can excuse the bowlers but not the batsmen, for everything was in their favour, and an England batsman, as I have already pointed out, should be able to play all types of bowling. Duckworth Breaks Finger Now, Duckworth has broken his left forefinger. It occurred yesterday before lunch when he took a fast full toss from Verity. It speaks volumes for his pluck that he continued to keep wickets. A great effort by Leyland saved the game as it deserved to do last Tuesday when he made 79, and we failed to stave off defeat. He received help from Ames and Robins, but carried the team on his shoulders. He was solid all day t attempting few strokes, except playing to leg or straight driving. He religiously refused to cut or hook. Hardstaff was all at sea again with the slow stuff. What is wrong with this fine young . player ? Much now depended on whether Robins and Leyland could stay together. Bradman had persisted with his slow bowlers hour after hour. With 200 up he at once took a new ball, and Ebeling promptly got Robins caught at slip. Verity was leg-before, and Fames was clean bowled, but Voce, carefully kept away by the Yorkshireman from much of the bowling, managed to stick there to the last. Leyland never gave the semblance of a chance.

The Australian Eleven were robber, of a victory undoubtedly earned bj superior cricket in all departments. FAULTY INNINGS LEYLAND'S EFFICIENCY SYDNEY, Nov. 25. C. G. Macartney comments: “The 1 best that can be said of to-day’s play is that Leyland’s innings was one of high efficiency and was enjoyable. He can be commended for his fighting qualities and restraint alike while his side was trying to avert defeat, which meant that he had to manoeuvre for the strike. Everything depended on Leyland’s strategy and defence, which succeeded up to the hilt. He showed discretion in playing his strokes, yet was unable to follow his natural Inclination to hit out, and was the only batsman to display confidence. So few of Ihe Englishmen are thoroughly reliable that those who are in touch are forced to throw aside aggression and resort to defence. The events of the day can be attributed to faulty batting, as in the first innings, and to lack of confidence and footwork. Ames played the bowling confidently and with good judgment, showing that he is in fine touch.’’ The Englishmen have left for Brisbane. A private dinner was given tonight by the New' Zealander Mr Arthur Sims to leading cricketers and Australian cricket officials. THE FIRST TEST MATCH AT BRISBANE WICKET PREPARATIONS BRISBANE, Nov. 14. Water restrictions have been waived at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in preparation of the wicket for next month’s Test. The curator, Jack Farquhar, a former Queensland captain, is confident that, rain or no rain, he will be able to prepare a wicket every bit as good as the one he produced for the 1933 Test. The wicket has not been used this season, and during the coming week Farquhar will commence work on it in earnest. Already he is watering it carefully each day, although water restrictions have been imposed on other citizens. As the Test approaches, the preparation will become ticklish, as the ’ wicket must then be rolled and mown while damp. On Wednesday Brisbane received its first rain for many weeks, and no one was more pleased than the curator. The soaking did more good than many days’ application of the hose. If further rains fall at intervals >etween now and the Test, he hopes

to turn out a wicket which, in his own ' . words, will be ‘‘lit for bowlers to 1 I break their hearts upon.” The wicket he produced for the 1933 Test stood up excellently to six days’ play during an abnormally hot spell. Incidentally, the wicket is cosmopolitan. When constructed about 30 years ago, most of the top-dressing came from Merri Creek (Vic.). Later supplies were obtained from Bulli (N.S.W.), and more Merri Creek soil had been added before it was found that soil from Nundah (Q.) was suitable. This year suplies from a dairy farm at Beaudesert (Q.) were used for top- . dressing. , FIRST TEST TEAM AUSTRALIA’S TWELVE INCLUSION OF SIEVERS Received Nov. 25, 11.50 p.m. SYDNEY, Nov. 25. Australia’s first Test team to play at Brisbane on December 4 has been selected. The twelve names announced are: Bradman, Brown. Badcock, McCabe, Fingleton, Chipperfield, Robinson, O'Reilly, Oldfield, Ward, McCormick, and M. Sievers. t The selection of the Victorian all- s rounder Sievers has caused some sur- s prise. . ■ 0 McCormick, McCabe, and Robinson a are to submit to medical examination, <