BRITISH OPTIMISM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 52, 29 January 1938, Page 9

BRITISH OPTIMISM.

COMMENT ON CRICKETERS. LONDON, Jan. 28. The Times, in a leading article, says that strong as Bradman’s team undoubtedly is, there is no need for pessimism. The Daily Mail’s cricket writer, disagreeing with a pronouncement by Lord Hawke that the Australians are almost invincible, says: “The Australians aro good, but certainly can be beaten by an England team inspired by confidence and a ruthless will to win. Excepting Bradman, the Australian batsmen are not superior to England’s best, and we can certainly field a more formidable pace attack. The following team would give the Australians a long and difficult run for their money :—Hutton, Edrich, Hammond, Hardstaff Paynter, Ames, Robins (captain), Voce, Verity, Fames and Larwood or A. V. Pope or J. W. A. Stephenson.” The Manchestr Guardian, in a leading article, says: “If there is a weak spot in the Australian side it is likely to be the bowling, so in order to balance the big scores, which Bradman ,and his allies are expected to make, our batsmen must enter the fray in good heart and not suspect. all loose balls of thrice-disguised villainy. Let our selectors take a leaf from the visitors’ book and concentrate on young cricketers of character and we shall have line sport.”

AUSTRALIA’S “TAIL.”

VIEWS OF ENGLISH CRITIC.

SYDNEY, Jan. 28. Mr Neville Cardus, the well-known critic of the Manchester Guardian, who is visiting Australia, feels more optimistic about England’s chances in the coming Tests now tho Australian team has been chosen and does not include Oldfield and Grimmett, the world’s best in their respective classes. He declares he'sees a “tail” on occasions when O’Reilly, White, Ward, McCormick and Fleetwood-Smith are used to deliver Australia’s full bowling attack.