ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 167, 20 July 1946, Page 5

ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

12 PLAYERS NAMED ANOTHER FOUR STILL TO BE CHOSEN Recd. 6 p.m. London, July 19. The M.C.C. has invited the following English cricketers to tour Australia: Hammond (captain), Yardley, Gibb, Hutton, Washbrook, Hardstaft'. Compton, Wright, Bedser, Voce, Ikin, and Evans. It is generally expected that Yardley will be vice-captain. Gibb is the successor to Ames as wicket-keeper. The other wicket-keeper is I. G. Evans. Hutton, with Hammond, Compton, and Hardstaft, with Hammond, provide impressive batting strength. Ikin, a left-hand batsman and a right-hand slow bowler, is a new all-rounder. Bowlers are A. V. Bedser (right-hand, fast-medium), Voce (left-hand, fastmedium), and Wright (slow legbreaks and googlies). It is expected that four more players will be chosen. The Press Association says that Pollard is a most likely candidate as opening bowler supporting Voce and Bedser. “At the moment we can confidently say a good team is in the making for all that Australia may put against us,” says the “Times” cricketing writer He adds that the selectors must find room for Pollard in the remaining four places. The "Daily Herald’s” correspondent says it already is obvious that the team will be exceptionally strong in batting and brilliant in the field. Bowling js more problematical, but Voce and Bedser are two or the best opening bowlers in the game, and Wright may easily prove a matchwinner in Australia. The “Daily Telegraph” says the selectors must find at least three more bowlers. It adds that Yardley will be vice-captain. The average age of those so far selected is 32. The oldest is Hammond (43), and the youngest Evans (25). Yardley and Gibb are the only amateurs, apart from Hammond. Evans, Ikin and Bedser receive the highest cricket honour in their first season in county cricket.

The “Daily Herald” says Evans is a better ’keeper than Gibb, htt is not such a good bat.