TIME TELLS THE TALE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1063, 29 August 1930, Page 7

TIME TELLS THE TALE

THERE was always an element of the unexpected about this season’s cricket Tests which made them more than usually interesting. Australia’s success dates back to the early part of the present year, when the selectors caused considerable controversy by dropping veterans like Ryder and plumping heavily for Youth. It was a sound policy, but one which had been so long delayed that it seemed a drastic one at the time. Australia lost the first Test, but triumphant Youth, which might well be personified by - the unconquerable Bradman, could not be denied, and England’s ageing veterans steadily lost ground, until they were annihilated in tlie final Test by a crushing innings defeat. England’s downfall was almost as pathetic as the final eclipse of that once bright star, J. B. Ilobbs. The old champion’s own failure was so closely associated with England’s fate that there will be genuine sympathy for a man who was a mighty figure when there were giants in the land. What matter if in his later years, he discloses human failings like the rest of us ? ' They bring him nearer to us, and they do not rob the man of his eternal place in the annals of the game. England is now where Australia was a year or two ago. Tts veterans must give way to younger men. Youth will be served.