IS THIS CRICKET ?

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 119, 16 November 1932, Page 9

IS THIS CRICKET ?

LONDON, 9th November.

Referring to the withdrawal of players from the "Australian Eleven" to meet the English cricketers in.the match at Melbourne commencing on 18th November, the "Daily Mail" asks: 'Is this cricket?'.' The newspaper considers that the position is as farcical as it was in the match with the .'''combined" team at Perth. . ; " '

Of tho.se originally selected in the Australian team for the match com-mencing-on Friday, A. F. Kip'pax, S. J. McCabe, W. A. Oldfield, and W. H. Ponsford have dropped out. It was considered that tho New South Wales players Avere being put to too'much of a strain in. match play and travelling by being asked to play in the match at Melbourne. In any ease, it was expect-1 ed that thoso New South Wales players who were in Brisbane'this week would have had scarcely time, under ordinary circumstances;, to reach Melbourne for tho start of the match. Bradman did not go to Brisbane, and ho will Be. the only New South Wales player taking part in the next match with the Englishmen at Melbourne, unless a player from that State .replaces Ponsford. It is to be expected, however, that O'Brien (twelfth man) will now be given ,a, place in the team. Ponsford injured-an ankle when fielding against New South Wales, and it was hoped that he would be available for the match beginning on Friday. He is regarded as a certainty for the first Test, and apparently he is taking no risks beforehand. He will not have played against the Englishmen on this tour before the. first Test. '