TEST CRICKET.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18807, 1 December 1932, Page 11

TEST CRICKET.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. FIRST MATCH STARTS TO-MORROW THE PROSPECTS DISCUSSED. The initial contest in the cricket Test series In Australia this _ season, between England and Australia, will commence at Sydney to-morrow and will be played to a finish. The Interest of tlie whole world will be centred on the Sydney cricket ground awaiting the latest scores. Speculation as to which side will wsn Is rife, and, despile the. fact that the Englishmen have played several matches in Australit, the issue is still very open, with England, perhaps, slightly more favoured. The Englishmen came out with a big reputation. Besides showing wonderful batting prowess, they have also failed on occasions. The Englishmens stocks fell considerably after their rout by Lisle Nagel in their match against an Australian XI at Melbourne, but they retrieved some of their prestige when they defeated a strong New South Wales team by an innings and 44 runs. Then, too, is the fact that to date the two idols of Australian cricket, Bradman and Grimmett, have failed to distinguish themselves, while there are doubts as to Woodfull’s capabilities this season. The Final Selection. To compare the chances probable teams .will have to be selected. In the case of Australia thirteen men have been chosen , and the final selection will take place on the eve of the match. The four who will most probably be concerned will be V. Richardson and ,T. Flnglel'on as batsmen, and -T. Wall and L. Nagel as bowlers. Despite Finglcton’s century against the Englishmen for New South Wales it looks as if Richardson will gain the place as not only is he in great form with the bat but he is still the best fieldsman in Australia. Of the two bowlers Wall is more experienced in big cricket and. as a fast bowler is essential on the hard Australian wickets, his chances appear more favourable. Nagel, although recognised as a bowler or great promise, lias only had I,lie one outstanding performance and lie may not lie included on bis one success. There is, of course, the possibility that Nagel will play instead of (V’Reilly, bill, the condition of flic wicket will determine that. The teams for’ the coming encounter will possibly be: — England. Australia. IT. Sutcliffe W. M. Woodfull M. Lcyland W. H, Ponsford Nawab of Palaudl D;. G. Bradman W. R. Hammond S. J. McCabe D. R. Jardine A. F. Kippax R. E. S. Wyatt V. Y. Richardson L. E. G. Amea W. A. Oldfield H. Larwood W. J. Reilly F. R. Brown C. V. Grimmett M. W. Tale IE Ironmonger. W. Voce. T. W. Wall. The English selectors will have a hard task in chosing their team. For the sixth position, Wyatt, E. Paynton and the 'all-rounder G.- 0.-Allen, have strong claims, but indications point to Wyatt at present, The position of wicket-keeping will also be difficult. Ames has- begun to show bis brilliant English form with the bat and as he Is unquestionably a fine keeper might be selected as wicket-keeper and batsman. Of course with such a strong batting team the selectors may include Duckworth, who is as brilliant a®, ever and superior to Ames at keeping wickets. Strength of England. Taking the teams-as above, England has eight first-class batsmen, with Sutcliffe, Pataudi, Hammond and Jardine well above the average, a fast •bowler in Larwood, a fastlsh lefthander in Voce, a fine trundler in Tate, and a slow bowler In Brown, with Hammond to supply the righthand medium-pace deliveries. Australia has six first-class batsmen, a wicket-keeper and four bowlers. Besides being the better batting side, England appears to be as strong. If not sfronger, In the bowling, and unless Bradman and Grimmett display •their old skill Australia will have Its back to the wall. However, the harder the fight, the better the Australians seem to play, and the contest will be full of Interest.

The Indications are that there will be big scoring and with no time limit attached, slow, careful, hatting will probably see the Test lasting five or even six day's. One thing that may favour Australia is the report that- the English team’s fielding is not up to a high international standard and In a close and high scoring game this will he a big factor. Tf England lose this, the first Test, their hopes for the “Ashes” will dwindle considerably.