THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 17 December 1901, Page 3

THE FIRST TEST MATCH.

[P3R PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] Disgust in Australia. Received this day at 10 14 a.m. Sydney, December 17. Interviewed after the match, Darling said that he considered the English team had been under-rated both in England and in Australia. McLaren had brought oat the right sort of bowlers for the hard Australian wickets and had very strong batting powers,

Several good authorities expressed the opinion that the Australian team was badly chosen and captaining not good. The Herald says that the Englishmen won by outplaying their opponents in every point of the game. The result shows that the English side was much stronger than was thought by some English papers. Their play throughout was of the highest class, and their victory must be mainly regarded as a result of McLaren’s.judgment, but allowing for his skill as a batsman and captain the victory would not have been discontented if the team chosen to represent Australia had

been worthy of the proud position. If the match teaches anything, it teaches that men should be chosen on their immediate form, and not the form they exhibited some time back. Bowlers who arms have lost their cunning and batsmen who are plainly out of form, should not be chosen exclusive .of younger players of decided promise. The Daily Mail says after allowing that the better side won, all that can be said is that the proverbial uncertainty of the game has once more vindicated itself but given all that in it is plrin alterations will have to be made to the Australian eleven next test match. The team had recommendations as to contesting seasoned experienced players, but it betrayed the weakness as the game proceeded. Perhaps the most pronounced weakness was the sameness of bowling.