AUSTRALIA’S LAST CHANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 552, 3 January 1929, Page 8

AUSTRALIA’S LAST CHANCE

WITH two disastrous cricket Tests lost, the Australian Eleven will, to-day, be called upon to make the stand which will either rob them of the Ashes, or give them a fighting chance of regaining this symbol of cricket supremacy. Outclassed in the first two games, it seemed unlikely that Australia would be able to rally sufficiently to give much more interest to the present Test series, but the last four days of play at Melbourne have shown that adversity is a great urge, and that Australians can make a fighting show against one of the finest teams that has ever played for England. Perfectly balanced, it has great batsmen and great bowlers, while Australia has awoken late to the sorrowful fact that old players have been persistently encouraged to the detriment of the younger. After the Brisbane match there was a clamour for “new blood” in the Australian team, and the selectors, no doubt, were just as eager to find it as the critical public was; but the search was vain. There was no new blood. Although the Australians are too good sportsmen to complain, there is no doubt that the luck has been against them. The loss of Gregory, a forceful batsman and destructive bowler, was serious enough, but when it was followed by the injury of Ponsford, Australia’s greatest run-getter, the situation became blacker than ever. The selectors, at a critical time, made the alterations that were possible, and iiqw tbe crucial innings is being played—and the issue is still in the balance. In the first two matches, three days of play were enough to show what the result was going to he, but in the Melbourne match it is not yet possible to hazard a prophecy. Australia’s opening innings began inauspiciously, hut there was a remarkable recovery, Kippax and Ryder making a .superb stand. With a deficiency of 20 runs on the first innings, Australia is at the wickets again, and a reasonably satisfactory opening has been made. Woodfull and Kippax were in scoring mood at the end of yesterday’s play, and if they can carry on the partnership today, Australia’s chances will grow brighter. It will probably be necessary to have a total of from 350 to 400 to make the chance of a win moderately secure, putting England in the position of having to register a substantial score on a worn wicket. England’s first innings was a one-man score, and Hammond, so far, has been the pillar of the English side. His record of a double century in successive Tests is a remarkable one, and if he can he disposed of cheaply in the fourth innings it will make Australia’s chance of winning rosier. Blackie, the elderly Australian bowler, who is playing in his second Test, has certainly helped his side amazingly well. Six wickets for 94 runs against a batting side such as England possesses is a feat that can take its place among the best records of the game. Cricketers all over the world will follow with interest the progress of the Australian innings to-dav; for a good stand will mean that the side has still a chance of success after two terrible thrashings,