TO DEFEND THE ASHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 263, 27 January 1928, Page 10

TO DEFEND THE ASHES

THE NEXT ALL-ENGLAND TEAM BOWLEY IN THE RUNNING NEXT September, when the All-England cricketers sail away from their homeland to fight out once again cricket supremacy with Australia, they go, the first time for many years, the defenders of the prized “ashes of English cricket.” Aucklanders will be especially interested to know that the English critic, Sir Home Gordon, considers E. H. Bowley to be in the running for a place in the English team.

Sir Home, in an article in the 192728 annual of "The Cricketer,” discusses the possibilities of the Englishmen, and after looking carefully into the performances of the leading players, picks what he considers the men who will compose the English team. ELIMINATING THE TAIL "Some general considerations ought not to be forgotten. One is that the whole of our eleven should be able to bat and field. Wicket-keepers who cannot bat, and bowlers who cannot atop the ball, must be severely tabooed. One thing the Australians have taught us is the elimination of

I the tail on the test side. We once observed that lesson ourselves—in 1884, when Walter Read, going in tenth tog England at the (>yal, made 117.

Another important point is that cricketers should be chosen who are likely to do well under Australian conditions, notjDecause they may have made runs or taken wickets in England. Further, it should be remembered, though it has never been pointed out in print, that there has never been a touring side, either in England or in Australia, in which someone has not proved disappointing. “There would seem only one probable captain, A. P. F. Chapman. Four years ago I described him as ‘already the idol of Australia,’ and since then he has mellowed into an excellent, observant, encouraging leader, while his batting is as fine as ever, but more reliable. His cheery personality and unruffled good humour are additional assets. Indispensable, too, is F. C. Toon© as incomparable manager, the man behind the scenes on a tour who has never been equalled. Once more let it be hoped that he will be induced to undertake the arduous responsibilities, though it is to be feared he may need some persuasion. , “As deputy captain, all would welcome D. R. Jardine, who is by far the finest amateur bat of the season. His superb century for the Gentlemen at Lord’s was but one demonstration, and his average of 94 speaks for itself. HOBBS NO “HAS-BEEN” Whether Hobbs will again make the trip must depend on himself. He is certain to refuse unless he feels he can do justice to me team. “Considering how admirably he has batted in the past treacherous summer, no competent critic can regard him as a *hr ~ ’ and it must be borne in mind that he is always at his best in hot weather. s “That he would be a tower of strength if he considers he onn «i t rain visit Australia is a fact on which it is superfluous to dilate.| The assistance of his wise advice is also something his captain will appreciate. THE ALL-ROUNDERS ■‘Finally must be estimated .the all-

round men so much needed by a touring side. When the Australians were here last year a number of them thought—C. G. Macartney has since said so in print—that H. J. Enthoven would be our next captain out there. But apart from one fine innings against Lancashire, he has had a deplorable season, although selected as twelfth man for the Gentlemen, and cannot for the moment be regarded as probable. E. R. T. Holmes is a dangerous cricketer, but an invitation would depend upon consistent success right through next season. At present in county cricket he has not emulated his university success. Woolley has never been formidable as a bowler in test matches in Australia, his wickets costing 44 runs apiece, and some doubt about his fielding must detract from his still graceful and formidable run-getting ability. Bnwl(>v. a thnr-

Bowley, a thoroughly good bat, probably our best first slip fielder, and a useful change bowler, somehow may seem jlist "below test match requirements. G. T. S. Stevens, imperturbable, and •with infinite patience, has the merit of being at his best on biggest

occasions. His batting would be as valuable in Australia as here, doing something and doing it well. BOWLING A PROBLEM “Of course, the problem lies in the bowling, and it does not materially help Us to notice that last winter in Australia, their paucity of effective attack was abnormally conspicuous. The present uncertainty as to the state of Larwood’s knee complicates the situation. He comes down so hard in delivering the ball that in the view of one eminent umpire his bowling will never be what it was. In fact, it may be doubted, however successful he may be next year, whether there could be justification for choosing him for so arduous a tour owing to the liability of his again breaking down. Therefore the claims of Nichols will be very strong. He is persevering, with an excellent action, and his fast ball that goes away is dangerous, but what he really needs is first-class coaching next April.

“A winter’s rest may make all the difference to Maurice Tate. Those who , saw him bowl against Kent, at Hor- < sham, and against Lancashire, at ( Eastbourne, regard him as still the 1 greatest in the world, though last 1 summer he was a bowler who only ] had his days. Though in test matches ( he may not make many runs, he is an i aggressive bat, with no respect for the 1 reputation of opposing bowlers. On the assumption of 15 being ' chosen, therefore, the team I venture to put forward to go to Australia next September is thus composed:—Chapman (captain), Jardine (vice-captain), Hobbs (in default, Sandliam), Stevens, Jup|). Watt, Sutcliffe, Hallows, Hammond, Tate, Nichols, Sibbles, Smith (or Lilley) and Ames. The last place to bo selected from Bowley, Clark, Freeman, Geary, or Mercer, * . |