The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1933. CRICKET AND THE ASHES.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 1933. CRICKET AND THE ASHES.

The M.C.C. team sent from England to recover the Ashes has been successful in the mission. But it was not all plain sailing. Votaries of cricket read daily in the lengthy Australian and Home- cables how eagerly the fortunes of war were discussed. Scon there ensued a very acrimonious discussion about the log theory in liowiing developed by the Englishmen. The effect was very disconcerting and even harmful to the Australian batsmen, and the tests were almost abandoned | The injuries received by' the Australians, Hied the barrapkera who fplt they had more reason than ever tq bp noisy and insulting, But the protest went beyond that, Official objection to the leg theory' was taken by the Australian Cricket Board, and in a memorable telegram of protest to the M.C.C. there was the suggestion that the bowlers’ tactics were not sportsmanlike! At this juncture the Australian captain made some abrupt remarks when declining the sympathy of Mr Wabner for injuries received, and it was evident the tension was very great. The M.C.Q. was diplomatic in reply and while not admitting, but rather resenting any suggestion of a lack of sportsmanship, offered to cry the tests off and determine the tour! , This was 1 an ultimatum which could- not be accepted, and ten with a little more temporising, something of an apology wrs made, and . diplomatic relations were resumed on a more hamonious basis. But ate the superiority of the English players continued to assert itself the alarms and excursions died down, till in the end the leg theory was accepted as regular tactics in the daily play. The (fact is that the visiting team under good captaincy and clever bowling accounted for their opponents on motet occasions, and it hag now come to he admitted - that England lias well and truly won the Ashes. There is now a dearer view of the game, and it is admitted generally by the Australian critics that the superior team won. England though winning most of the games with a good margin, was not always in the 'winning position/. Australia at times had the better of the opening play, Woodfull was very lucky in winning the toes, and 'having the choice of at! add More than, once the team had a temporary advantage thereby, but was not able to hold the position. The Englishmen always finished well, and excepting in one test, nude no mistake .about- winning decisively. The victors have been well led. Jardine proved a very, able general and this the critics have not been slow to recognise when seeking the cause for defeat. The bowling of the visitors too wa-s the more deadly. Former -Australian bowlers of repute lost their reputation in the present- visit-. The Australian batting, too, was erratic. McCabe did not maintain his reputation. Generally the opening Australian batsmen were disappointing. Bradman was not able to reproduce centuries with regularity, and this prop failing had a good deal to do with the downfall of the Austral iaus. The Ashes return to England, won back by the better team. The Australians have much to learn from the tour, which, entered on with much assurance, has 1 proved by the series of defeats, in tests and State matches, to he an occasion which disclosed weaknesses where strength was thought to be.