The West Coast Times. TUESDAY JUNE 25, 1912. THE CRICKET STRUGGLE.

West Coast Times, 25 June 1912, Page 2

The West Coast Times. TUESDAY JUNE 25, 1912. THE CRICKET STRUGGLE.

ArTEK England and Australia have each inflicted defeat upon the somewhat erratic South African test representatives, tho victors have now to meet and fight over again one of tho greatest battles for tho cricket supremacy' of the world. The match between England and Australia promises to bo interesting for more than one reason. In tho first place, England is represented by tho very best team it is posible to select. So much so, that several of tho players who participated in the English team’s recent triumphal tour to Australia, have had to give way to players who are considered bettor. On tho other hand, Australia is represented by Gregory and his colts, tho team being an experiment. On paper, and given an equal apportionment of luck, tho chances look greatly in favour of England, more especially when it is born© in mind that tho Australians have lost twice recently and are finding some of the leading counties exceedingly tight propositions. In the present match they will bo called upon to meet the. pick of England—the eleven

best players representing the Homeland at a time when English cricket is at a high standard and on the ascendency. Those two great cricketing countries have met in mortal combat on many occasions. Since 1897 rubbers between England and Australia have boon played, and the historic ashes have crossed anl rc-crosscd the seas which lie between the Homeland and her young cricketing rival. Australia has won six of the test series, and England three; the Old Land’s rubber being all won in the last live scries of tests. Besides, since 1897, Australia has won two rubbers with South Africa. The following table indicates the results of the test atclies since. 1897;

It will bo seen that in the ordinary course of events, England is duo to win tliis year. But there are special circumstances. Not only -is England very strong in batting, but tho Old Land’s attack is wonderfully efficient. Tho first line includes tho same combination which wrought such destruction upon tho Australians in Australia dnrng tho last series of test matches. The Barnes-Eostor attack supplied a wonderful combination. Their success is a success, as it were, of

senior and junior. Barnes is verging on forty years of ago, Foster is only twonty-iour, Their styles are dissimilar as their ages. Barnes, cool, calculating, methodical,, with his short, slow, easy run to the wicket, and the smooth delivery brought by many years of practice. Foster, electrical, lull of life, almost tearing up the bowl ing crease, using bis height and long arms to the utmost advantage, and yet as gracefully and easily almost as Barnes. It would .bo difficult to say which man uses his head the more. Barnes thinks out every ball. Pretty well each delivery sees hint holding the leather differently. Hardly ever is there much alteration in pace or pitch. The latter is nearly always perfect. But which way the ball is going after it hits the ground is another question altogether. Foster, perhaps, does not howl so brainly, but devotes his head more to the disposal of his field. Sometimes ho will have a fantailed shape of log-catchers, five or six strong.- Then he will bowl at the batsman’s legs and force him to play tho ball behind him. In the hands of Foster, Bardsley and Trumper, Australia’s groat batsmen, were as babies. True the Australian bowlers have done good work, but they have, as yet, not met such a formidable array of efficient batting, bowling and fieldsmen as now confront them. Some of the Australian batsmen, notably Macartney and Bardsley have scored well, the former especially so, but tho team has shown a disheartening tendency to develop a “tail.” In the present match Gregory and his _ c °lts may be said to be on the most seiious trial. They have high traditions to live up to and there is no reason why the young players should not he as successful as tho (youngsters who have upheld the honour of Australia before them. The match, however should provide ah interesting and keenly contested struggle, and should tho chosen team of Australia go down, wc can rest assured that it will emu’ ■ late those that have gone before it by going down fighting.

Rubber Won by W L D 1897-8 Australia 4 1 0 1899 Australia 1 0 4 1901-2 Australia 4 1 0 1902 Australia 2 1 2 1903-4 England 3 2 0 1905' England 2 0 3 1907-8 Australia 4 1 0 1909 Australia 2 1 2