“THE ASHES”

Hokitika Guardian, 29 November 1928, Page 3

“THE ASHES”

( AN TIT F KANGAROO DETHRONI THE- LION?

PROSPECTS FOR FIRST TENT

No trials of strength on the athletic fields create such burning interest as do the periodical struggles for cricket supremacy .between England and Australia. Cricket is ampie-tion-abiy the British national game, and the tights for “The Ashes” regularly arouse phenomenal interest not only in England and Australia, hut throughout the entire British Empire. To show.what keen interest the public take in the Test matches. ii need onlv he said that 23!),17;j attended the Test game at Melbourne in tile lOk I-'id season, which lasted seven days, while 103.000 paid for admission to the Oval in 192(i in four days. The Englishmen are once again it* Australia, and the lights for the “Ashes” will commence at Brisbane to-morrow (Friday).

The first Test match between Fngland and Australia was played at Melbourne away hack in the 1870-7 season, when Australia won an exciting game hv f.) runs. Since then. 11l Test match have been played between the two countries, of which Australia lifts -won -17"'and England -12. leaving 2-) games drawn. ’file series of matches to he placed

this season will nrnve more ihati m-'-tmlly interesting by reason of the fact that England are the champions, am ! flic Austral in ns will naturally str-dn ('Very nerve to regain lie 1 crick'd, supremacy of the world, which limy Lsi to England at Kensington Oval i l ' 192 G.

EXPERIENCE TELLS

The Australian selectors mi making Hji-ir choe-e fur the (ii. r lesf levpinned their faith to oxtiorionee. am ! have certainly marshalled a very solid side. Some surmise has been exore-sed o' the choice of -Le-k Ryder, of Imforia. to lead the Australian side, hut ill. this the selectors have shown wisdom, as ’Ryder has had mm-h moo experience of Test match phiv the either Wood full. Kimmx. or V. ) . Richardson, -the leaders <>l Ai* loria. New Ron tli Wales, and -South .Australia respect ivelv. Victor Piehardson is unlucky in missing a place, allm’ his 1 1 ri11*ii double century for South A"-Jrel’i against- the Englishmen. The South captain did well when givi'll a chance in the Test <ownes in Die 192-1-2.) season, as in three mat-lies In' scored 219 rues, including R'B a* Melbourne. Richard-on. liowrer. i inclined to take risks, and no douh' the selectors have preferred men ol sounder methods.

Tt was sound judgment on the lectors’ part to include Jack Rv'h-r. as tin* Victorian bus perlormed consistently for Australia over a number of year's. Til all he lms played 18 innings in lest games, lor an aged irate of oCS runs, and rn average o' 37 S(i per innings. His best- score wthe 291 not out he hit u>> at Adelaide in 192-l-20. With the ball Im lias not been so since.-!ul. as- lie lias oitlv captured eiglit wickets for -E>o runs, a'

average of •’■(!.2o per wicket.. Another tried performer who -h-ml ’ strengthen the Australian eleven is that able all-rounder. Charlie KeHr wav. of New South Wale". Possessing a rock-like defence. Kellow-iy lum play'd 29 innings in 'H'st game-' C dar-e for 890 runs, with an of 32.07. His best S'-ore was the 1 l be ran up at Adelaide in the 192-T-2 1 season. wiili the ball, lie has capture 37 wickets for 1078 runs, an averam of 29.13.

Tlu selectors have done v isclv to include H. Ironmonger, (be Victorian left-hand bowler, in the Australian team. This trundler lias done outstanding work with the hall foe A l( '- teiia for many seasons past, and nis right to national honours was long overdue. Against New South Wales. Troll monger lias taken -10 wickets lor

1392 runs; against South Australia -10 wickets for 807: and against (Queensland. deven wickets for 201 runs.

That gifted stripling, ]>. .I.' Bradnian. of New South Wales, fairly hatfed his way into the Australian eleven by his sterling displays against the Englishmen and against (Queensland. Another new man on the Australian side who '.has thoroughly earned lib place is P. K. Oxenhaiu, of (Queensland. Thi- line all-round player is worlh his place in any Australian eh" mi. and it w.il! not. lie at all surprising if lie does not prove the most succesful howler on the side, though he has not proved successful against England in the (Queensland match just finished. With batsmen such as Pousford, Woodfull, Kiupax. Rradiuaii. IN<>ll l>way. Gregory. Oxeiiliam, Oldfield. Ryder and Grimmett to deal with,'the i'uglish howh'rs should have a I’orinidahle iasl; in front of them, hut in Tate. Larwood, Geary. Tlaminoml. AYliile and Freeman, the Englishmen have a stronger howling string time they have probably ever sent to Australia. not forgetting Lehmann, Foster. Rroekweil, Barnes, Peel, or Rraund. Tin- Fiigli-h halting is (piite as strong as the Australian. What - world of digging out IJnb.hs. Snt.i lifle. Cliapmau, Jardiite. Ilammoiul. 'I yldesley. .Mead, 'bate, Larwood and Geary will take when they are playing lor Keeps.

Some phenomenally heavy scoring should bo witnessed in the- first 'lest at Brisbane. It will lie a regular Ma rat lion.