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Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1928, Page 4

Tun eclipse of the Australian Cricketers in the first test match with England was almost a total one. It was a record defeat so lar as the hatting of the defeated team was concerned, and if is perhaps not surprising that there should be so much exultation in England over the victory, seeing that in the past Australia was so formidable an opponent,, and the joys ot victory were often wilh-held Irom the Ifuine forces. The English team was expected to he fairly strong in halting, and although not .actually collaring the Australian howling, piled up respectable totals. The Australian bowling had to lie t>-eated with respect. In that regard play was at times painfully slow. There were few bright patches in the game even when England appeared to lie in the ascendancy definitely. The English captain (Chapman) is being criticised for his action in not closing liis second innings earlier, but England was “out to win,” and it was clear Chapman was bent on making “assurance d.,7ibly sure.” In both England and Australia those test matches are taken vorv seriously. They are .something more than games, they are a fetish, and to be pre-eminent in the outcome of the play is the task expected by the onlooking nations. Had Chapman token a risk, and Australia coining to light with a surprise, tlie English captain’s record and judgment

would be dimmed forever! Cricket between tlie two countries is a very serious business. Probably readers of the cabled news on this and previous tours have come to that conclusion also. The frantic applause from the English press on the present issue indicates the pent up feelings of those concerned in the result of the match. We do not know how Australia is going to account adequately for its very sad phght at this juncture. The loss ol Gregory anti Kclle'.vay—two star bowlers—was of course disconcerting. Probably the team lost heart. The new captain, Ryder. likewise perhaps, did not inspire confidence among his men. The bowlers he... to their task fairly well in viev. of the calibre of the batting, and the large .scoring anticipated. But the Australian ratting was a debacle for which the individual members will be expected to account. Just why a whole team should have a day “off ’ by unanimous consent appears to be a remarkable event in the h .story of the game. It i.s usual in crack cricket for someone or more to stem the tide and

make a showing. Perhaps it was one of the vagaries of every game- this day “off.’’ It has left quite a lot for Australia to redeem in the near i'utuie to rchahitate herself in the eyes of the cricket world, let alone in the eyes of her own admiring people. -Meanwhile, well done, Kfighind !