CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 11

CRICKET.

THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM

THEIR ENGLISH TOUR. A- C. MACLAREN’S IMPRESSIONS. One of the best judges of a cricketer in England is A. C. MacLaren. In discussing the Australians, many of whom lie has, of course, never seen, he writes thus in the "News of the World”: Fifteen Australian players have been chosen for the tour in England during the summer. . . . The big surprise is that J. Ryder, who led Australia in the last series of Tests "down under” in 1928-9, does not even obtain a place in the side- W. M. Woodfull—the "unbowlable"—is iijo be captain, and V. Richardson vicecaptain. The omission of Jack Ryde-> from the team has evoked a storm of criticism from all cricket lovers. His absence from lho side on account of his 40 years will he sorely felt when a drawn game will at one time or another be I,tic best for which Australia can iiope. Jack Ryder, on a batsman’s wicket, is one of Hie soundest models Australia has ever sent over, and this means a lot when 11 of the 15 have never played in England before. Some of the young players chosen have proved their worth already in Test cricket played under their own conditions and to Jackson, Bradman and Fairfax this is specially applicable. They are sure to acquit themselves most creditably in their matches this summer, but if it is going to be a soft wicket season, it, will he surprising if they don’t find things made a little more difficult for them by the Australian authorities insisting on the pitch being covered throughout Interstate matches. This must result in nothing but forward play in these games, and make back play correspondingly more difficult on English wickets.

My own experiences tell me that after an Australian four of thsir hard and true wickets, one was apt to overdo forward play in the early county matches here. The greatest of Australia’s young players have always eclipsed in their second visit to us all they accomplished in their first tour in England. Bowlers Will Improve. Nothing would surprise me less than to find their bowlers meeting with much greater success than their fondest admirers could, expect, especially the medium-paced and fast bowlers, who will get that assistance from the pitch which is denied them in Australia.

I recollect asking Macartney who “that tall dark fellow” was who was bowling at the nets in their initial practice at Lords, adding that he was probably their best howler. “Macdonald," came the reply, “but he lias done very little good in Australia.” Wall, Hurwood, and Hornibrook are all sure to become more effective over here, to say nothing of one or two others, such as a’Bcckett and Fairfax. The Australian combination will be a very interesting one to watch, for one never knows-of how much Improvement a young player is capable, and their strength will increase as the season advances, where as a veteran has reached his limit.

Woodfull —a popular and levelheaded fellow,- possessed of a quiet charm —will certainly do c-cdit io Australia, as a captain and sportsman, and it is all in his favour that he has

in Oldfield a wicket-keeper of exceptional ability and judgmentVictor Richardson, Ihe vice-captain, nows the game well, and is a good ricketer. If wo have a run-getting ■ cason, it is almost a certainly that \ustralia will be more likely to he dronger than if soft wickets are general, owing to the younger members having yet lo gain their experi■nee, both as howlers and batsmen, inder these conditions. It may he no easy matter for Wood’ull to select his correct eleven out >f 15, and if their difficulty is likely o he who should he left out, ours will lie who is lo be put in. Arc our young players, with the ‘vconlion of Dulcepsinhji and R. E. S. Wyatt. good enough lo displace coved vetprans past their prime? 5Vn will have to fight hard, hut we should vim Not Quito Right. Mr Mark.ron is not guile right in "lying the ‘‘Australian authorities ill's! on the piieh being covered kroughonl lnler-stalc matches.’ roods "Not Out.” The authorities in New South Wales and South Australia do not do so: I hey observe the Laws of Cricket in this mailer. The reference by the former English captain to the custom as observed in Melbourne and Brisbane, however, should direct attention of the Board of Control to it. The Board ought to come straightout and assume the powers its constitution gives it, that is, the oversight in conjunction with 11 1 c M.G.C. of the laws of cricket for Australia. Against Mr MacLaren’s view it has lo lie noted that club cricket for the premiership in different capitals is played under normal rules and conditions- In any case, the real sticky wicket is nol often met in England now: Ihe slow one affected by rain is l nol necessarily a bad wicket. In fad, it may ho quilc. an easy one.

Heaven help English howlers if W. M. Woodfull fulfils Mr Maciaren’sstatement lhal "Ansi ralia’s young players have always eclipsed in their second visit to us all they accomplished on their first lour in England.” The Victorian imperturbable made eight ■centuries, two in Ihe Tests, on his first visit, and averaged 57.05 in Ihe first-class matches of Ihe lour. After all, English wickets are not the batsman’s bugbear they used to lie thirty years ago. Unless they have changed since 1920, they are very easy for real batsmen to operate on.