CRICKET.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10521, 18 December 1901, Page 2

CRICKET.

The Test Matoh.

Maolanen Interviewed. ;

Press and Public Views.

Press Association — Meiegraph — Copyright

Received December 17, 10.40 p.m.

MELBOURNE, December 17.

The Age, commenting on the match, says: — 'The undeniably great win was achieved by .sheer merit and the visitors' superiority 'in^ every -department of 'the game. : It is useless talking about a batting failure. Credit must be given unstintedly to the expert bowling and fielding .by . which such failure was brought about. No real plea is producable in mitigation of Australia's defeat. If Australia hopes to beat -the redoubtable visitors, a new eleven should be picked immediately to enable them to train together."

Received December 18, 9.25 a.m.

SYDNEY, December 18.

Maclaren, interviewed, said he was .exceeding^ proud of .the victory, and considered the Australian team the best that could have been picked, excepting Clark, who was unable to play. They played "the game as it should have, been played, but fortune unfavoured them. The conditions were equal td both sides. His team were all in the very best of condition, and won on the bowling. The batsmen were dismissed, not because -they batted badly, but .because the bowling was perfect.

Newspapers are flooded with criticisms and suggestions. It is generally admitted the Australians were out-cap-tained,,and out-played in all dopaitmenls.

Eo thft selection of the team, throe i& a universal demand for an alteration.

One authority sums the defeat up: The Australians appeared awed and paralysed; their nerve was gone, and the only explanation was sheer bad batting. The result was something like a panic.

-Competent - judges highly praise* Braund's bowling. His leg theory is comparatively a recent innovation, and was a novelty to most of the Australian batsmen.