SELECTING AUSTRALIAN TEAM

Hokitika Guardian, 20 December 1929, Page 8

SELECTING AUSTRALIAN TEAM

MR HUGH TRUM.BLE’S VIEWS,

WELLINGTON, December 17

An arrival on the Mauganui from Sydney this morning was Mr Hugh Trumble, well known as an Australian cricketer of other days, and at present secretary of the .Melbourne Cricket Club, who with Dr. Roland Pope, another cricket enthusiast, is spending a six weeks holiday in the Dominion. It will be remembered that Mr Trumble was the manager of the Melbourne Club’s team which toured New Zealand in the 192fi-27 season, and played a match against the New Zealand side on the eve of its departure for England.

Mr Trumble had some, interesting observations to make on the recent Test trial at Sydney. The match, he said, was long drawn out, and was not taken altogether seriously, nor could the match be taken as important as regards tbe final selection of tbe team for England, as form in the Sheffield Shield matches has yet to be considered. 1

“Jackson and Bradman,” he said, “both played magnificent innings, and they are men who are likely to go well in England. .Jackson played a really wonderful innings. Bradman, though very good, lias not the same style. Ivippax played a very fine innings.” He bore out what has been said previously of the undoubted strength of the present-day Australian' batsman. Woodfull was at bis best, and Ponsford had from his injury which put him out of tbe game last season.

Tbe Australian selectors were going to have a puzzle in finding bowlers up to the required standard, said Air Trumble. Mailey having dropped out of the game, the only slow bowler in view at the moment was Grimmett, who was bowling very well. “It will be impossible to leave out Blaekie for all his 47 years,” he said. “He is a wonderfully preserved man, and keeps himself very fit.” Wall and Alexander appeared to be tbe best of the fast bowlers in tbe Australian game. Alexander, be said, was the fastest man offering, but be “was still a bit green,” although it was likely that be would improve with further experience. Wall could hardly he called a really fast bowler, but he was a great trier. In the trial match Hornibrook, a left-hander, had bowled well, and none bad done better than Oxenharn. Oxenham mixed hi-, deliveries skilfully, and was also a trier all the way. The second wicket-keeper for the; touring team would probably be Walker, who bad shown good form in the trial match, and was also a batsman of no mean ability. He was another who should improve with further play in first-class company.

“Our fielding,” said Mr Trumble. “needs sharpening up. It is weak in the slips, where Gregory is missed, and at cover point, where there appears to be none to take the place of Tommy Andrews. The team would almost certainly contain a preponderance of young players, and the captaincy was most likely to be entrusted to Ryder. Air Trumble felt that it was to be regretted that Australia had not adopted the larger wickets for’this season. Tbert 1 was no doubt that the innovation had come to stay in England.