Time-Limitless Tests Condemned at Home

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 530, 6 December 1928, Page 13

Time-Limitless Tests Condemned at Home

From Yesterday’s Late Edition

ENGLAND’S SLOW BATTING “UNPLEASANT SPECTACLE” (United -P.-i .—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Tuesday. Practically every report from Australia stingingly condemns England’s slow batting in the second innings, particularly that of Mead and Jardine. The “Evening Standard” publishes an amusing cartoon strip across tbe page, like a siow-motion picture, with the caption, "Phlegmatic Philip Phails to Phlog Warner.” The "Morning Post” gently reminds Australia that it originated and is perpetuating play-to-the-i.nish tests. "Mead and Jardine are defenders rather than attackers in so far as time is concerned,” says the paper "It is not necessary either for tactical or strategical reasons to depart from the usual style.” Clem Hill, writing in the "Daily Telegraph," says: “I’ve seen some bad Knocks in test cricket, but Mead’s innings stands alone. I shall uc most surprised if he is included in another test. Though England has got us n the cart this test, I am still confident that when our openers go in. their intention will be to stay in and take the sting out of Larwood and Tate by their defence and make a lot of runs. Criticising Chapman's decision to send England in to bat again, he goes on: ”1 am sorry he did bo. Surely it was a confession of weakness on ta’s part with such a lead. His action must be taken as a great tribute to tbe Australians’ batting strength. “Surely tbe sporting spirit of taking small risks in our grand old game has not departed. The decision meant that Chapman was not going to take the risk of losing this match. "But, after all, cricket is a game, not a business. When England went in to bat they played as though they were fighting for runs.” Tbe “Evening Standard's" diarist says: The result throws a disenchanting light on time-limitless cricket. The spectacle of the Australians being slowly pounded to pieces is neither pleasant nor edifying. It is a gloomy anti-climax to the keenness and sparkle of the first couple of days. Scratching about against an almost beaten team which is minus two of its best bowlers, may have detracted to some extent from the team's moral ascendancy. Woolley, w'riting in the "Daily ; Chronicle,” says: "England has had jail the luck in the present test match, ! but even now we must not be too cocksure, and think the ashes are already in our pockets. The Australians are great fighters and will do their utmost to retrieve their seemingly hopeless position. “I have been wondering whether Australia will send for Macdonald and also play Macartney. Knowing what X do of their cricketing ability it will be well for England if the Australians do not think as I do.”