“FARCICAL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 537, 14 December 1928, Page 10

“FARCICAL”

Four Selectors for Australian XI BLACKHAM OUTSPOKEN John McCarthy Blaekham, *The Prince of "Wicket Keepers,” who played in 35 Test matches, and made eight trips to England with Australian teams, approves of the suggestion made by Mr. J. W. Trumble, that players of experience should be invited to assist the selectors in choosing the Australian team. *1 am heartily in accord with the suggestion In the old days, lie said, some of the greatest teams were selected by players. It was the custom to choose the certainties first, in the case of teams going to England—perhaps five or seven. These men were then entitled to offer an opinion as to who the other players should be. ARMSTRONG AND OLDFIELD “The system of having four selectors is farcical. There should be either three or five, preferably three. I would even have a sole selector, if the right man could be secured. The three on this occasion should be Armstrong, Oldfield and Bardsley. Armstrong has a great knowledge of the game, and has a wide experience of cricket on both sides of the world. “A selector certainly ought to have experience of the game in England. Bardsley is eminently qualified for the position. Tie has the knowledge, experience, and right temperament. One of the selectors should be a wicketkeeper. 2no one else on the field is in such a good position to judge the strength and weaknesses of opposing batsmen, and to decide what a bowier is doing. Oldfield seems just the man for the job, for he has kept wickets when most of the candidates for the team were batting, and I take him to be observant, and able to form a sound opinion. •'Selectors ought to be men who have had Test match experience. Preferably, they should be those who are still playing, or have recently dropped out. The three I have named have every qualification.”