OPTIMISM AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 125, 23 November 1932, Page 7

OPTIMISM AT HOME

VICTORY IN VICTORIA

HOPEFUL DEDUCTIONS

LONDON, 17th November. Newspapers, though admitting that the weather was an important factor, rejoice over the M.C.C. team's victory in the match with Victoria. "The victory was so decisive," states tho "News Chronicle," "that it must startle the most determined croakers into a momentary optimism. It proves that when tho wicket gives a chance, the British bowlers can get the Australians out.'"

"Sporting Life" says:—"Wo should win the first Test if Hie tourists keep their present form. The success of Verity and Allen is a factor which cannot he ignored."

The wave of optimism which swept cricketing England after the M.C.C. team's recent victories is considered by the "Sketch" to be justified. All the batsmen, except Amos and Payiiter, had done well, and all the bowlers, except Bowes and Larwood, had produced results. (Bowes and Larwood on latest results provide no exception.) Australians, the paper adds, emphasise AVoodfull's greater knowledge and experience, but Jardine'a captaincy may surprise friends and foes alike, and the outlook generally inspires quiet confidence.

Commenting upon the result of the Victorian match, the "Sketch" states: "It was a great performance, and must have an important effect on the team's moral. Pleasing features are the improvement in the English fielding, consistent form, and all-round strength. The match proved that Woodfull is not 'unbowlable,' and that Fleetwood-Smith is no bogey. The English fast bowlers are likely to make a name for themselves. ''

"-While the-Australians -must be-dis-

mayed," states the "Daily Mail,"" the tourists are having a quiet little chuckle over the manner in which Hammond revelled in the bowling of.the 'mystery man,' Fleetwobd'-Smith. The moral effect of the failure of one of Australia's trump cards must be considerable. Hammond not only knocked him off his length, but has probably knocked him out of the first Tea*. Indeed, the Englishmen have laid every bogey that the Australians have produced, including Bradman and Grimmctt. The outlook could not be blighter." "Napoleon preferred a lucky general to a good one," states tho "Evening Standard." "In Jardine we seem to havo found an unusual blend of sagacity and good fortune." Commenting upon tho benefit of the victories to the touring team's moral, the same paper adds: "Pleetwcod-Smith was hailed as 'the goods.' The 'goods' should have been marked 'fragile, with care,' for they crumpled under Hammond's rough handling." Somo newspapers are acclaiming the bowlers of the English team as supermen, but also express the opinion that Victoria is not the cricket power she used to be. The "Evening News" admits that England had all-the luck in the world in getting both a batsman's and a bowler's' wicket in the match against Arietoria, and asserts that the si-ceess of the bowlers discounts the criticism that the Englishmen are unablo to take advantage of i sticky wicket. First Test prospects are discussed in the same paper, and in racing terms the odda are placed slightly in favour of Australia. It is indicated that when Bradman, Woodfull, Ponsford, Kippax, and McCabe are in the same side the English bowlers will, never dislodge them. England regarded it as cheering to reflect that Bradman, Woodfull, and Grimmett had all had a failure prior to the last match. Ironmonger had been the chief source of trouble up to that stage of the tour. "It is idle to prophesy until after the first Test," the "Evening News" adds, "but if the odds are against England in, the first Test they must be against her winning the Ashes." Writing in the "News-Chronicle" about the England v. Victoria match, A. E. R. Gilligan states that a. feature of it was Jardine's great captaincy. He declared at exactly the right moment, and his'handling of the bowling deserves the highest praise. The victory is regarded as most heartening, but England is warned that she must not overlook the assistance of the rain and the absence of Ponsford. Hammond also, says the writer, has already reached his wonderful form of 1928-29, and all the bowlers were superb. Yoce deserved about live wickets. It is extremely interesting to the critic to note that the victory was gained by fine all-round team-work, and not the work of only two or three individuals. Thia is going to be a very powerful side, Gilligan concludes.