CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1926, Page 1

CRICKET.

AGAINST SOMERSET. [Reuter Telegrams.] LONDON, August 21. For the Austrnlinn-Somerset match, the wicket was soft. There had been a night-long drizzle, and the start was delayed. The attendance was eight thousand. Collins won the toss, and sent Bardsley and Taylor in to open to Bridges and Glasgow. The start was quiet. Rain soon fell, interrupting the game till after lunch.

Immediately on the resumption Glasgow completely beat Bardsloy with a good length ball, the score then being 22 for one wicket. Ponsford and Collins then went cheaply. Taylor shaped well, his timing being good. Ho fell to a magnificent catch by White at second slip low down, the hoard then reading 38 runs for 4 wicketas. Hendry and Ryder were then together and' became assertive. Both play attractively. Ryder when eight was badly missed by Lyon at tho wicket off Glasgow. When the total was seventy-four, Hendry, who showed signs of staying, was unlucky in pulling White on to nis wicket. Under the influence of the sun and n breeze, the wicket made a remarkable recovery. Although at no time a howler’s paradise, it gave some assistance, enabling the fast medium pace bowler Bridges, and the slow-lianded White to turn the ball effectively. Ryder made 34. He gained all his runs in front of the wicket.

Gregory, going out to hit White, gave a chance of stumping before scoring. Richardson and Gregory opened out and drove in fine style. Richardson was at times uncertain. He succumbed to a catch at the wicket. He and Gregory added 37, the total then being 124. Gregory left the same over as the result of a good catcli at the wicket very low.

When the hoard showed 127 for !), Ellis and Everett were associated in a fine last-wicket stand. After three narrow escapes of being run out early, they settled down. Everett drove crisply, and made some fine leg strokes. Ellis was free, but a trifle (Inky. This partnership was a most attractive one. When it had yielded <lB runt, Everett jumped out to hit a slow hall, and was easily stumped. His score of 39 included twelve fours. Ellis hit six fours and made 42. Mncßrvan and Young opened the Somerset innings brightly. They played Gn’mmett and Gregory with ease. Scores : AUSTR ALTA .—First Innings. Bardslev, b Glasgow 15 Taylor, c White, b Bridges 15 Ponsford, b Bridges 1 Collins, 1.b.v.. b Glasgow 1 Hendry, b White 12 Ryder, 1.b.w., h White 12 Richardson, e Lyon, b Glasgow ... 19 Gregory, c Lvon, b Glasgow 21 Ellis (not out) 42 Grinrmett, b Glasgow 0 Everett, s Lyon, b AVhite 59 Extras 6 Total 225 Bowling analysis: Bridges, 2 for 72; Glasgow, 5 for 78; Hunt, 0 for 6: White. 3 for G 3. SOMERSET.—First Innings. Macßrynn (not out) 21 Young (not out) 21 Total for 0 wickets 42 AUSTRALIAN TEAM. CRITICAL REVIEW. LONDON. August 21. The close of the filial test match is the most fitting time to review conditions with the Australian team. It can authoritatively be stated that the majority will bo well-pleased when it ends. There is a unanimous feeling that the tour has involved over much travel, and also that the programme was an over-lengthy one. The games vet to he played are by no means inconsequential. On two or three occasions they will be asked to .meet teams virtually un to the English test standard. This is regarded ns unfair at the close of a strenuous tour.

There is no- disagreement among the players, who may he described ns being more or less a happy family; but there are certain subjects of distinct disagreement between the players and the manager, Mr Smith. For example, except when tests are played, and on a few other special occasions, the team have had to find their way to the ground from their hotels in any old way. The players say that taxis should be provided, as for the tests, and that the Board should pay. Several of the players go so far as to say that if it is a question of expense, the Manager should consider that aspect, and should dispense with his assistant. They say that this is unnecessary throughout the whole lour, even if it was necessary at the.beginning in order to overtake correspondence. They point out that Frank Laver had no assistant, and that, besides managing, Laver played himself in over thirty games. It is seriously suggested among the players that a round robin should he signed asking Mr Smith to dispose with his assistant. Others, while agreeing, point out that it is no business of the players, but rather of the Board of Control.

Another question tending to disharmony is the fact that the Australians’ reputation has suffered considerably h.v the manner in which their hosts have been treated. On numerous occasions more of the team were absent than present. Throughout England, they say, this is damaging to their reputation. and there is every likelihood that less hospitality will be shown to subsequent teams. It is also felt that the invitation from Mr Baldwin and the Members of Parliament should never have been declined. This is regarded as the highest honour, and the refusal lias been the subject of considerable comment in certain quarters. The team feels that the Board should place this question on a definite footing, because if invitations were accepted. they should have been attended. Much is also heard about the players’ wives not travelling. This prohibition is felt keenly. One whose wife intended visiting with relatives. considered that the restriction should have been definitely withdrawn, especially in view of the fact that there was nothing to prevent a player going from place to place with his mother-in-law, aunt or any women friends from Australia, who may he visiting England. Two members of the Board did not obey their own decision. One brought Ins wife, and the other brought liis wife and two daughters. The team is unanimous that there are too many matches. In the opinion of Australian officials now in England, the programme should have been curtailed. and the players given n longer

rest between the tests. The present tour was a case of packing their bags and rushing to cricket grounds. The tour financially has proved a great success, despite the loss of the days due to rain. The receipts are probably greater than in 1921, but the profit is not big owing to the increased expenditure. From a playing ' standpoint, there were several disappointments, Everett did not impress one. At the outset, owing to leg trouble, be was out o action in many matches. At one time suggestions were made that new players should be brought from Australi 1 to make good the deficiency owing to ill-health. It was also suggested that Murray, the South Australian then in London, should he asked to help. The recovery of Everett and Hendry obviated this, and also gave a resl to tin others. Taylor was most brilliant in the field, but he failed with the bat Gregory lhas never been deadly as n bowler. When he had a suitable wicket lie failed to make the hall fly.. Even in tho field, he was not the wonder <-

previous seasons. He failed to electrify the crowd liut as a batsman be oiten came to light with a fine score at the right time. Macartney was easily the most outstanding subject, being equal to rank with England’s idol, Hobbs. Woodful proved most successful with the bat and in the field. Ponsford proved a run-getter but was weak in the field. Richardson was not so successful as was anticipated. Mailev is still vigorous. Grimmett obviously is more suited to Australian wickets, but lie proved useful. Oldfield is still unequalled as a keeper. Andrews iva« admirable in the field, but inconsistent with the hat. Ryder would have been more successful bad be played his natural game instead of pottering about. Bardslev justified his selection by saving Australia in the second test, and lie confounded every critic. Collins, in far from good health, bad a difficult task, owing .to the weakness of the bowling and to a number of the players not being up to standard in the field. The team is by no means the equal of so many teams previously sent to England. It is obvious that, could the selectors put back the clock, there would be many radical alterations. KING CONGRATULATES M.C.C. LONDON, August 21. Tho King lias sent a letter to the Marylcbone Cricket Club President, congratulating England on winning the Ashes, and asking him to tell the Australians bow lie was impressed by their long run of triumphs, and that he also appreciates blieir formidable task on a none-too-casy wicket. NATIONAL COACHES FOR ENGLAND. A suggestion that the Board of Control should appoint two National Cricket coaches, Hobbs and Rhodes, is made by the “ Daily Express,” which argues that the interval of two years before England sends another team to Australia is not long to find and develop talent. Such a board, by careful organisation, could arrange that no young cricketer of promise should remain without a trial. Once the talent was discovered, the work of Hobbs and Rhodes would begin.