CAPTAIN PUZZLED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 7, 23 January 1937, Page 5

CAPTAIN PUZZLED

J. B.

HOBBS)

Try-0ut for Cricket Test Openers Disappoints HAMMOND'S JHOUSAND

(By

(Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or any part forbiddou), (Keceived 23, 11.15 a.m.) ADELAIDE, Jan. 23The vexed question of England's openipg batsmen with Barnett i§ stili unsettled. After Fagg's failure AUou has apparently now decided to drop Worthington from the next Test, To day he sent Fishlock to open with Barnett in the hope that he would be able to fill that; position, There was nothing }ike iife in the wicket. Cotton madq an ocoasional ball lift, otherwiae the bowling was of the steady variety and did not unduly trouble the batsmen, who had something to play for. Barnett wauted 4,7 to be the first to reach one thousand runs on thiB tour, but I could not agree with his , extreme caution. In h'ishlock's case there was more excuse for caution because he had not got going at all on the tour and was trying to bat himself into the next Test team. I should not say that Fishlock played soundly and, while he was not entirely conyincing as an opener, he may get another knock in this match and 50 runs would help him tremendously. Alleix's dilemma is that Leyland's shoulder is not well enough to enable him to throw, and anothpr outfield of Fishloek's ealibro is needed. Hammond lost no time getting the three runs needed for his thousand, but was soon out. Barnett attacked towards the end, but he was fortunate to reach such a. good score bearing in mind the chances ho gave. Like Fishlock, Wyatt was playing for a test place and these tw p and Barnett were the only batsmen to take themselves really seriously. The others seemed to treat the game as a practiee between the rigours of the Tests. Wyatt's arm is still sore. Considering how long he has been out of the game he shaped well. Cotton was the oD^y South Aus--tralian bowler with any venom. Grimmett was the best of the others. South Australia did very well considering the score was 96 before a wicket fell. Scores and details of the play nppear on page 9.