"SHOULD DO WELL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 9

"SHOULD DO WELL”

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN'S ! PROSPECTS EXPERIMENTAL BOWLING Despite a few glaring omissions— ! which, in justice, cannot be dignified as j mistakes—and the squeezing out of I Victorian players, which has undoubt- j edly weakened the Australian eleven, the selectors have chosen a side that should perform well in the old land (writes J. Worrall in “The Australasian”). The team can fairly be termed u young one: but whether stability has been sacrificed for youth is a problem that remains to be proved, only four men of the 15 chosen have had English experience, and as the conditions in the old country are so dissimilar to those in Australia it may be that too great a risk has been taken. On the other hand, the future of the game in Australia should benefit decidedly from the process of turning out the finished article that an English tour entails. The only men with English experience are Woodfull, Ponslord, Grimmett and Oldfield. While the selection lias rightly caused just indignation for its lapses it must be recognised that it is not the fault of those chosen, and that every man will prove worthy of the honour thrust upon him is the wish of every true patriot. It is a matter for sincere congratulation that such a man of character as Woodfull has been appointed skipper. I am afraid that he is lacking a little in imagination, and is not inclined to take a risk, but it is pleasing to know that the game will be safe in his hands, and that the fame of Australia will not be lowered. He was the onlv man for the job, and he will handle the team on safe lines. 1 considered he should have been our captain against Chapman’s band, but the powers thought otherwise, and the fact that Ityder, poorly equipped in the material placed under his command, performed so ably, proved that the right man was chosen for the position. It is a great honour to be captain of an Australian Eleven—the highest prize in our world of cricket—and a sound man has been chosen in Woodfull. It was not the time for making experiments, and it will be a grand incentive for those under him to know that their leader is a grim and resolute fighter, one who will see the issue out: to the bitter end in a sportsmanlike spirit. A BATTING “TAIL” We would appear to be on the weak side with the ball, though we have the necessary bowlers. It is really an experimental side. There is bound to be a tail in our best team, as Hurwood, Wall, Mornibrook, and Oldfield disclose a weakness that may well prove disastrous. Added to that list is Grimmett, who, however, is capable of making a few runs at times, though anything but reliable. Another weakness is that there is not a left-hand batsman on the side, and in that respect Bardsley’s place has not been filled. There have been burning periods and anxious moments, and the best has not been produced. The selectors were afforded a grand chance, and that they were unequal to the job is unreservedly admitted. We are fairly strong in batting, but I am inclined to think not so supreme in that department as many people in this country imagine. That the team will do well and uphold Australia’s prestige both on and oft the field is a devout wish, yet the 15 chosen are not the best blended 15 Australia is capable of producing. AVERAGES OF THE TEAM Averages of the players in the firstclass matches this season are as follow: BATTING

Jackson, Kippax and Richardson have each bowled without taking a wicket. The dates for the test matches are: First, at Trent Bridge, June 13, 14. 16 and 17. Second, at Lord’s, June 27, 28, 30 and July 1. Third, at Leeds, July 11, 12, 14 and Fourth, at Old Trafford, July 25, 26, 28 and 29. Fifth, at The Oval, August 16, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. *•

Ins. N.O. H.S. Runs. Avs D. G. Bradman .32 1 452* 1,400 127.2 A. Jackson ..... 9 1 JS2 607 75.8 W. M. Woodfull. 5 2 100* 181 60.2 S. McCabe .. ..13 1 81 695 57.9 A. Kippax .. .. 10 — 170 561 56.1 V. Richardson .. 12 — 126 573 47.5 W. H. Ponsford.. 11 — 131 439 39.9 A. Fairfax .. .. 14 — 64 379 27.0 K. I-.. a’Becke.tt . 6 1 56 121 24.2 C. V. Grimmett.. 13 2 53 239 21.7 P. Hornibrook .. 7 3 24 62 15 5 A. Hurwood .. .. .11 — 51 130 ll.s i\ Walker .. ..13 2 33* 105* 9.5 T. Wall 11 4 33* 58 8.2 W. A. Oldfield .. 3 — 7 13 4.3 “Not out. BOWLING 1'Z. L. a’Beckett .. .. 2G4 16 16.5 A. Hurwood 685 35 19 5 P. M. Hornibrook .. .. 477 19 25.1 A. Fairfax 811 31 26.1 C. V. Grimmett .. .. 1,43S 52 27.2 S. McCabe 464 15 30.9 T. Wall 578 17 3-i.n B. Bradman 274 4 6S 5-