ENGLISH CRICKETERS

Evening Star, Issue 20056, 22 December 1928, Page 12

ENGLISH CRICKETERS

GAME AT NEWCASTLE Press Association—By Telegnpli - Copyright. NEWCASTLE, December 21. Tiie match between England and the Newcastle-Hunter River Eleven was commenced in cool, dull weather on a perfect wicket. Newcastle-Hunter River district won the toss, and opened its innings in the presence of about 2,000 people. Dr E. Barbour captained the home side. This is the first time that an English team has played on the Newcastle cricket ground for twenty-five years, the last occasion being against Warner’s team. Hunter District will bat twelve men, but will field with only eleven. The batsmen gave a bright display. Chief interest was centred in Bettington’s exhibition. He hit a number to the boundary. Osland and Henderson took liberties with the English bowling and surprised the spectators. There were frequent changes of bowlers, but the fielding of the Englishmen was loose. Larwood to-day was not given a turn with the ball, and apparently he is being spelled. _ The match was held up for fifty minutes owing to rain, the wicket being covered during that period. NEWCASTLE-HUNTER RIVER. First Innings. Osland o Tate b White Cummins b Tate j Moy run out ... ... Henderson st Ames b Hcndrcn ... 60 R. H. Bettington b Hcndrcn ... o 3 harbour b Freeman -- Davis not out ... ... ' ••• Bramble c Hendrcn b Freeman ... Jb Extras f Total for seven wickets ... ... 282 THE THIRD TEST CLEM HILL'S TEAM JfttH Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 20. P P. Warner, in the ‘Morning Post,’ says: “ The Australians on this occasion seem to have mastered Larwood, but the Melbourne ground is more a fast bowler’s wicket. It Australia wins the toss I shall be hopeful of'Larwood ‘ snicking out one or two batsmen at the beginning of the game. The Australians will fight the remaining matches to the last ditch, but I believe’that our splendid side is destined to retain the ashes.” The ‘Daily Express,’ editorially, that Australia gill amsms Mr

bad luck at Melbourne, and adds: “It is the strongest team of the Commonwealth, unhandicaippcd by injured men, that we want to beat this time.” Clem Hill says: “There should bo six certainties for the next test. Woodfull, Oldfield, Grimmctt. and V. Richardson seem to be an automatic selection, and the last-named is an inspiring example as a fieldsman. 1 should not hesitate to give him the captaincy, leaving Ryder minus the cares of the captaincy and free to play his natuarl game. Ho and Hendry should bo included for their all-round ability. Nothling must bo dropped, as his bowling is_ classless. Blackic should also be omitted, and Bradman included. If wo had two Woodfvlls, one at each end, the danger of Larwood’s bowling would vanish, after which the English bowlers would not be dangerous. The best team would bo:—Richardson, Woodfull, Hendry, Ryder, Oldfield, Grimmctt,_ Bradman, Ironmonger, A’Beckett, Kippnx, and Andrews.”—Australian Press Association. ROOM FOR EXPERIMENT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, December 21. The * Daily Herald,’ in an editorial, says:—“The second test will go down to history as showing Australia’s capacity to fight back in tho face of terrific odds. The English bowlers have been shown to bo not invincible, and tho third test may be a nearer balanced struggle than the first two. lb would bo foolish to imagine that Australian cricket is in such a parlous state as England’s runaway victories would suggest. The second test was not without shocks to England. White was mastered, Sutcliffe was nothing like up to form, and Jardiuo was painful, but correct. Though Larwood is potentially the finest bowler on either side, there seems room for experiment when the next team is chosen.—Australian Press Association.