AFTER THE MATCH

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1933, Page 5

AFTER THE MATCH

TEST COMMENT

SEVERAL OPINIONS EXPRESSED.

(United Press Association— By Electric '1 eiegraph—Copyright. >

LONDON, January 3

Rangitsinliji (the famous Indian cricketer) writing in the “Sketch,” says: “Australia won a .smashing victory by well-proven bowling and fielding methods, which England challenged with a meritorious bashing attack.” The aspect of th e Test most, discussed in London js the state of the wicket, which was a source of conflicting reports throughout. Even the two great ex-intornationale on the epo l completely disagree. Australian critics, writing in London papers, describe the wicket as good, while the English commentators unite in declaring it atrocious. , The “Daily Telegraph” says: Verity’s omission was a factor in England’s defeat.

'•The Times” expresses the opinion that ,a check on mammonth scores ma y all be for the good of the game. It says; “It also would be well if test match cricket were to be freed from the artificial excitement with which it is being increasingly surrounded. The chorus of conflicting advioe and criticism in both countries, before the Melbourne test match began, and while it was still in progress, might well have strained the nerves .and judgment of the captains of th© teams, but for their unruffled commonsqnrje.” The writer recalls that not since the Trent Bridge match in 1921 has test match scoring been so low as at Melbourne. He says 'that it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the moderate total was due to the players rather than to the Melbourne wicket.

(Mr J. C. White, writing in the “Morning Post,” says ; “To strengthen its batting, England ought to play Paynter instead of Wyatt.. Th e Adelaide wicket is suitable to a glow spin bowler, so we suggest that Verity or Mitchell should be played instead of Bowes or Allen.”

In an editorial the “Post” congratulates Australia on again showing its spirit of daring and endurance, which makes its players, never more daring than when they sfeem to be beaten.’’

•CLEARING UP THE TEST GROUND •MELBOURNE, January 4.

The cost of cleaning up the Melbourne cricket ground after the test match has been no less than eight hundred' pounds sterling. There were flfty-seveitt cleaners. They found books, rugs, spectacles, vacuum flasks, lunch cases, pipes, pouches, handkerchiefs, emits, ear-rings and other personal effects.

Tb 0 finds of tip, cleaners included at least live tluuiainl powder puffs, #nd also seovos ef lipstick.

ENGLISH OFFER TO BRADMAN

FOUR FIGURE FEE REPORTED

LONDON, January 3

The Rochdale Chib has cabled to Bradman, offering him an engagement for the season 1934, to become a professional, when he is free to leave Australia. It is reported that th e fee runs into four figures. Th e .Rochdale Club is in the Lancashire League.

BRADMAN MAY NOT VISIT N.Z

HEALTH GIVEN AS THE REASON

WELLINGTON, January 3

Don Bradman is unlikely to visit New Zealand this season witix an Australian team, according to a letter dated December 6, h f has gent Mr A. Verney, secretary of the Wellington Cricket Association, which finst began the negotiations for a visit of a «ide led by Bradmnn, who says : “I. have been in more of' less indifferent health, but do not regal’d it as being of a serious nature at all. The medical examination. revealed nothing serious, providing I follow out the doctor’s advice in the immediate future. Tt appeal's that I have then doing too much, particularly on the mental side. A man can have too much of anything, and in my case I have had too much cricket —not a spell since 1929.” His doctors advised him to get away for a holiday, after which it was hoped he would be able to carry on for the en_ suing two months and th e remaining Test matches, but he is to give up at the first opportunity all thoughts of cricket for .as long as possible. It would be dangerous for him to go on a tour this .summer.

“Tire most disappointed man with their verdict is, of coxing, myself,” write*, Bradman. “Health must b e my first consideration, and I am compelled to advise you, extremely reluctant a s 1 am, that 1 am therefore forced to abandon all idea of making a tour of your Dominion this sunnn'er. This will be disappointing to you, but, believe me, it is just as much or more so to me, for I had set my heart >a tour of New Zealand. .Still, I am only young, and can hope that some day in the not distant future I will be able to pay von a visit. T am optimistic an d believia 1 shall be able to take my place in the following Test matches. Australia is up against it, .and T hope, if well enough, to bo able to do my bit to help.” THE TAS:: AN lAN INCIDENT. (Received Jan. SHi. at 12.30 p.m.) HOBART, January 5. Following upon ,a request by the

Board of Control for details covering the wicket incident, when England /played Tasmania at Hobart, the chairman of the Tasmanian Cricket Association (Mr Mullen), officially forwarded the information asked for. The communication sets out that Jardine informed Green, the Tasmanian acting-captain, that, if the umpires decided that the game would be proceeded with, he would decline to take his team on to the field. The manager and Jardine also approached Mr Mullen and suggested that lie intervene with regard to the umpires’ decision as to the fitness of the ground. . TEST WICKET CONTROVERSY. (Received Dec. sth. at noon.) MELBOURNE, January 5. The curator of the cricket ground (Mr Luttrell), stated that he did not agree that the wicket was the cause of the low scores in the second test. The wicket was as good as any he had prepared. Tnimble, Noble and Armstrong all say that the wicket was barely marked.

DUNEDIN, January 4. The Blanket 'Shield match, Otago v. U'.itklaml, which concluded this afternoon, resulted in a four point win for the home team on''The tff' s t innings. Otago’s first innings realised 324, and Auckland had lost 6 for 160 when rain stopped play.