LARWOOD AND THE TESTS

Evening Star, Issue 21749, 18 June 1934, Page 9

LARWOOD AND THE TESTS

VOCE’S ALLEGATION

DENIAL BY LORD HAILSHAM LONDON, June 17. The Larwood controversy has assumed disturbing proportions, and Larwood intends to make an exclusive statement to-morrow telling the public everything about his movements and the intrigues of test cricket. The ‘ Sunday Express,’ in a front page article, says; “The English selectors have a bombshell. They intend to invite Larwood and Voce to play in the test at Lords, but Voce learned on Saturday night that Larwood had decided under _ no circumstances _ to accept the invitation to play against the Australians. This is likely to mean the end of Larwood in county cricket, and may be followed by Carr’s resignation.

Voce was interviewed by the ‘ Sunday Express.’ He claims that he has been Larwood’s closest friend since they played pn the village green. He has a bitter remembrance of Woodfull’s remark in Australia: “Two teams are playing, but only one is playing cricket.” Larwood has never forgotten, and will not play against a team led by Woodfull. He feels that political influence was used with Marylebone against him and Jardine to make a selection of a team agreeable to tho Australians. “The English people want Larwood to bowl, but how can they compel the selectors to pick a team representing the spirit of England, and the cricket public will bo disgusted that we have given in :o the Australians.” Lord Hailsham states that the suggestion that political pressure was nought against Larwood’s playing in the tests “ is so absurd that it really needs no answer. 1 happen to know that Larwood’s relationship with the ruling authority has always been most cordial. A recurrence of feeling is most deplorable, particularly in view of the fact that tho Australians had the best of us fairly and squarely at Nottingham.”

SIX WICKETS FOR ONE RUN . LONDON, June 16. •Playing for Notts against Lancashire at Trent Bridge, Larwood, before

lunch, without a leg trap, took six wickets lor one run, including three wickets in one over, all caught in the slips.

FURTHER STATEMENT BY VOCE “ STAY AWAY FROM THE TESTS ” LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 10 a.m.) Voce, in an. interview describing Larwood as the best bowler in,the world, said that Larwood saved a Jot of trouble iu the first test by declaring he was unfit, which prevented an invitation to him to play. “ Bowes bowled leg theory, and I believe that is why he was not invited to play in the first test. If it was not that some of the smaller teams are dependent on their income from tests I would suggest the answer ought to be ‘ Stay away from the tests.’ The gates will be lower without Larwood. Would Australia omit Bradmr to humour us? If this is the end of Larwood’s career it will be the most disgraceful thing that has over happened in English cricket. “ M'Cabo is Australia’s own answer to the leg theory. I have seen him hit Larwood and me all over the ground. I believe Chipperfiekl can; but Woodfull and Ponsford cannot, and Bradman is nervous. It takes a quickfooted batsman to deal with it. Through Larwood wo are only giving Australia what Mocdonald gave us in 1021.”

LARWOOD'S ARTICLE

INCIDENTS CLOSED LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 10 a.m.) _ Mr Busbby (manager of the Australian team), in a statement, said: “In so far as the Board of Control is concerned I do not think anything mentioned in Larwood’s article calls for comment by me. The position arising from the recent English tour of Australia is closed as far as the board and the Marylebone Club are concerned. We have had a very happy tour so far, and I do not intend to bo drawn into a controversy on incidents we regard as closed. I do not acknowledge any ~olitical in' 1 nee.” Referring to the unauthorised version of the team’s reaction to Larwood’s article, Mr Busbby emphasised that lie alone was authorised to make a statement to the Press.

BRADMAN'S INJURY

LONDON, June 17.

(Received June 18, at 10.10 a.m.)

Mr Bushby says: “Despite the fact that Bradman played at Northampton, I think his injury is more serious than wo expected. He will enter a London nursing home to-day for electrical treatment, but I am advised by his medical man that it is unquestionable that he will bo available for the test.” WYATTS THUMB LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 10 a.m.) Tho ‘ Sketch ’ says: “ Wyatt’s thumb injury is so serious that he has been warned that another blow on it might lead to amputation.” LARWOOD’S LATEST OUTBURST VARIOUS COMMENTS LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 11 a.m.) “ The only person who prevented Larwood from playing in the first test was Larwood himself,” declared Lord Hailsham. “ Larwood said he was unfit when the team was chosen. I always understood that was why be was not selected.” Mr J. H. Thomas said that neither directly nor indirectly had there been any discussion with politicians in regard to Larwood, either in Australia or here. It was unfortunate that Larwood had dragged politicians into his grievance against somebody. Sir Stanley Jackson declared: “ I am most sorry that Larwood has put his name to these statements. It cannot do him, or anyone else, or cricket, any good.” The Australian Press Association says: “ While the board’s agreement prevents players from expressing their opinion on Larwood’s latest outburst, the general feeling is one of relief. No more will be seen, though perhaps a good deal more will be heard, of this stormy petrel in the tests; There has not been the slightest suggestion of friction on tho tour thus far, and the effect of the Larwood thunderstorm may simply be the final clearing ’of the air, allowing tho tests to proceed according to a clean, hard schedule.” [Larwood’s statement has not yet beeu received.[

“ BDDYLINE " NOT CRICKET

THE AUSTRALIANS' PREROGATIVE

LONDON, June 17. (Received June 18, at 11.40 a.m.)

Tom Clarke, writing in the ‘ Daily Mail,’ says that tho Australians have been given to understand that bodyline bowling, which is a dangerous and intimidating form of attack, is no longer accepted as cricket. Moreover, the majority of county captains has decided that it is not cricket. The Australians came here on that understanding. If it is broken they will have the right to walk off the field.”