THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14601, 28 February 1921, Page 5

THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS

COMMENTS BY ENQLIBH PLAYERS. "SOMETHING WRONG WITH US." (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, February 26. Fender, in a cable to the Daily New?, says the Australians bowled well and there was something wrong' with US. Hobbs was given out to a very halfhearted appeal, and afterwards nobody but Douglas looked like playing the howling. The crowd barracked Hobbs for slow fielding, despite his injury. Wilson, in a cable to the Dally Express, says thai Australia is straining every nerve to win the last test. Our batting was extremely disappointing and the game went against us before the good "bowling and fielding. It was unworthy for a section of the crowd to Jeer at Hobbs for running lame. The Times says: "Our unfortunate cricketers go from bad to worse. Handicapped by misfortune and dispirited by defeats, they are not likely to do anything exceptional against opponents whose belief in themselves must now be without limit."

The Westminster Gazette says that the English cricketers had had luck in the matter of health,. The undoubtedly hot Australian climate severely tried the team, the members of which are not notable for their youth. Nevertheless A would be most unsportsmanlike lo pretend that the Australians had not proved themselves superior in every department. Their hatting was good to the last man, their bowling more varied are! effective, and their fielding mor" certain than ours. We must trust to next season's matches here to restore the English cricketers' reputation.

THE ENGLISHMEN'S FAILURE. NOT A HAPPY FAMILY. FULL INVESTIGATION SUGGESTED (United Service.) Received February 27, 5.3 p.m. LONDON, February 25. The Guardian, discussing the failure of file English eleven, says it is a common lonic that the team lias not been a happy family. If there is no foundation for the report it should be scotched, but if true it should lie vfcntilaled, i.i justice to several great cricketers whose reputation has not improved as the result of the tour. FENDER-WILSON CABLES. IxniGNANT DENIALS. AUTHORS .MAINTAIN THEIR GROUND. (United Press Association.) Received February 27, 5.3 p.m. SYDNEY, February 27. The Fender-Wilson cables regarding

Ihc alleged jeering at Hobbs were circulated on the cricket ground on Saturday evening, and caused much indignan! protest. Fender and Wilson admitted the correctness of the cables, and F> nder added, "You can hear more ii Hie middle of the ground than from the ires.-; stand." Wilson maintained that a section oi the crowd was hostile to Hobbs. llnow said it was a disgrace, and he mcanl every word he cabled. The secretary of the Hoard of Contro and other leading cricketers prescn! variously stigmatised the cables a? "absolutely wrong,'.' "ridiculous," "unjustified," "foolish," and they unanimously helil thai Hobbs was given sympathetic encouragement, and in proof o! this quote the racl thai quite a crowd gathered early in the forenoon to watch Hobbs try himself out, and general satisfaction was expressed when ii was announced thai he had come to the plucky determination to play, despite his injury. His appearance on the field at the opening of the Innings, throughout the play, and when he was dismissed, were all greeted with appreciative applause and sympathetic comment. Another noticeable feature was that whenever Hobbs was m;iking a run no Australian threw the ball at the wickel to which he was limping. It. is ascertained thai Hobbs himself made no complaint regarding his treatment. THE GREAT TEST. FURTHER PRESS COMMENTS. THOSE ILL-ADVISED GABLES. GREAT TRIBUTE TO GREGORY. United Press Association.) Received February 27, 11.5 p.m. SYDNEY, February 27. The Telegraph says that it appears Hal Australia's grip on the fifth lest \- si cure, though with England handicapped by having no fast bowler, more runs should have been scored. England's position is unenviable, and has not been improved by the indiscretion of Wilson and Fender cabling (dial Hi i crowd jeered Hobbs, for whom the utmost sympathy was displayed. An irritated crowd is certain to be present today. Macartney's was one of the mosl masterly innings he has played. He was the champi >n of old, his hack cutting and leg glancing picking holes in the Held like an artist. The Herald says that Australia's total was an ordinary score on such a wiekej against a moderate attack. The outstanding feature was the MacartneyGregory partnership. It causes no surprise when th f ' former makes a century. He lias given many fascinating displays (.ii (hat ground, hut Saturday's was one of his best,. He is only a midget in stature, bul a gianl of gril and seif--11 p.fldence, and for his inches he is lh< most daringly aggressive batsman of his ij;.y. He gave a sparkling exhibition free i'-oni mistakes and blemishes. Gregory went for the bowling all the lime, but Ihc proximity of the century heckone I |,:ni into caution and caused his mi doing. Fender, in a letter to Ihe Herald, iw r.fllrms his cable, stating thai he was glad to learn thai the public, through the press, dissassociated itself from a portion of the crowd whose bchaviou. actuated the cable. The editor, in i footnote, adds, "Is it proper journalism thai Fender did nol mention the groat reception accorded Hobbs, even nssuni Ipg that the barracking did lake place?"