CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Australia N.Z. Cable Association.] SYDNEY, Dec. 30. Sen dm n replaces ~ Ctimimi ns in the N.S.W. cricket) team to moot New Zealand “THE ASHES.” LONDON, Dec. 27. AT. AY. Tale, the Sussex professional cricketer, in. a special article in the “Daily Express,” says: “ ‘The Ashes’ will not be recaptured unless a team is chosen that can he blended to work together, and not la* merely the eleven best batsmen and bowlers. The captain must he a real strong leader, excellent as a batsman and in the field. If ho is also a good howler, so much •the )l>otter. Tlho captain must be given the choice of both batsmen and of bowling, according to the pitch and weather. This Inis often been overlooked in the past, when it was wrongly assumed that the team which would be successful in brilliant weather on a hard, dry ground at Lord’s would do equally well in, Decals on a dull day nil a soft wicket. It is supremely important that those picked should have the utmost confidence in their companions. Australia, like A orkshire, has been signally successful for several years because the players had this mutual confidence. This spirit of implicit confidence is half the battle, if the Test team produces it like the Australian and Yorkshire elevens. The Vorkshireman who last summer declared that this county team was as likely as any to heat the Australians was not over-boastful. He merely enunciated a. truth apparent to most who play important games.”