THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1954.
This is the last of the series of three articles in' which 'England's chances to regain the Ashes are analysed by STAN MCCABE, the former Australian Test batsman, who says:/
IT WILL BE AN EXCITING TEST SERIES, BUT AUSTRALIA SHOULD WIN
English cricket commentators seem unanimous that the players chosen to represent England on the Australian tour are a moderate to weak lot in the field. According to these commentators, the clean pick up, the accurate return, the flashing catches in the slips and the spectacular saves on the boundary, that are such a delight to cricket spectators cannot be anticipated from most members of the touring side.
I feel there must be exceptions to this criticism, as I can recall some really spectacular catches of recent seasons that have won the admiration of the crowd. Godfrey Evans, in particular, has won universal acclaim in this department of the game.
Any
team
Another
As a general summary of my safe batsman--and al that Australia chooses for the Tests will con-ally stalid one is Macdonald, thoughts on which side is going Lui (oldsICT) superlative as also is Ken Mackay. If chosen to win the Tests, my conclusions
of
are tha England has a slight merit-Graeme Hole or Ritchie for Test honours.
edge in the matter of leadership: Benaut, for example--and others
Briggs, too, two shown him that the balting strength of both who, if superlatives cannot be
be * Bafe, consistent sides seems equal; that fielding applied to them, are
certainly self to
scorer. He gives the impression favours Austraila; that Australia smart and competent.
advantage elight
In of being a youngster who could, has and would, lash out, if sure of bowling because it can supply a his Test position; but has been more varied attack: that Aus- ghting hard to win a place in trade has a clear advantage in the Test side and has played, the matter of absence of "tail" safe on that account.
On balance, therefore, the field- ing advantage seems to strongly in favour of Australia; Although it is my belief that the tense atmosphere of Test cricket will be such that England's team -will do much to confound the critics, when the time comes: and I certainly hope this proves to be the case, for clean, crisp. dover folding imparts a sparkle to the game, keeps batsmers on the alert and provides true enjoyment for spectators.
Miller, too, can play a stubborn bat, if the occasion demands it; bul is against his natural style. He would sooner be out showing the flashing blade that has won him so many admirers.
while England has the psycho- Jogical advantage in that she has the "Ashes."
Some
considered, I am All things
we're going to DOC confident some mighty interesting cricket. We're going to welcome
Entertaining most
recruits, Good batsmen, who con be well as some niways-welcome The play is going rostramed under orders, but sild-Umers.
two sides between be by whose natural instinct is to go to
include Graeme which there is not a great deni atmosphere fur the runs,
Ritchie Benaud, Neil to choose; but my final conclu- tanong the touring side, Eng-Hule,
Harvey end his brother Ray,
ng, slon in that Australis does have land's buting altyngth partially untested; but it looks Jim de Courcy. Les Favell and slight margin in its favour and formidable.
e up-and-coming youngsters will regain the "Askees' on that who may yet fight their way into account.
With several
batting in a Test
One player we're ansious in 600 in action is the lately- Wilson, the burly chosen Vic.
Yorkshire. ginnt from
He is sold to be a fearless and ag- grosive left-honder. Given the chance to quickly acclimatis himself to Australian conditions, he should be a valuable addition to England's batting strength.
HARD TO SHIFT
Len Hutton, one of the world's really outstanding batsmen, da
Seized going to be hard to shit).
with the weight of his responsi bility, fireworks are not expected at him.
a Test Ride this sceson, if things don't go too well for any of the established batsmen.
It 13
from
Pomu
of theso
players that spectators will anti- elpate sparkling and aggressive batsmanship. They may not be so "nate" as some of the old-timers, but they add zest to the gaihe that and are appreciated on account.
EQUALLY AB STRONG
213
CHELSEA
WEST BROMWICH_Albion
Roy Bentley (right) the Chelsea centre-forward, scores the first goal for
his team against West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge. The match
ended in a three-all draw.
New Rugger Season Starts Today
By "PAK LO”
This afternoon at long last brings the opening of the rugger season with two friendly games on the Club ground at Happy Valley.
The first game, which will kick off at 3 p.m. is between the Army and the Police. This will be followed by the Navy versus the Club at 4.30 p.m.
Both gamba produce a bit of a poser in picking out the respective winners, As most of the teams have been greatly changed from last season, although I am inclined to favour the Army in the first one.
PGA Broke. Their
Own Rules To Placate Belgian
An incident during the closing stages of the British Masters' Professional Golf Tournament could have far reaching repercussions and the last may not have been heard of the matter.
It concerned the threat of the Belgian star player, partner, Flory Van Donck, to withdraw because his Maestro Henry Cotton, was "too slow".
at
Although they have made many changes in their team the Army have managed to retain a nucleus or their
seasoned players from last year, to wit, Eve, Bell, Brentford, Bowring and Kirbetson; whilst Thomas, who has been out of the game for over £
1
year at the start of the season too much reliance should not be placed on this statement.
Most of the players in the
team
are newcomers Navy though there are one or two old and tried players such as Annan- dale and Owen, and it should be year due to very interesting to see how this shoulder injury, returns to his team finally shapes up. place in the team.
Though they will of course be changing a lot as usual due to On paper this appears to be well balanced side, and accord-ships sailing, they have managed ing to reports if has been train-to arrange the fixture list so that ing very hard and is extremely when they play the Army in the Pontangular nearly all their ships will be in base,
fit,
ง
With Eve as hooker it is only The Club, also have mude
Army few changes in their line-up to be expected that the will get the lion's share of the from last year, but they have a ball from the serum, and their strong rack with plenty of go threequarters should be capable in them."
their pf taking across opponents line.
nt
The threes, however, are prosent the main weakness in the Club side as they have not settled down as yet.
However they have Ingles on
the other, and these two are de- the one wing and Turville on
tenders and scoring. capable of outpacing the
My own opinion is that Eng- land's batting side is a staunch and strong one. I judge it to strong as any be equally Australla can put into the Beid. His will be the task of provid-
factor lo Another important Jng the confidence and the
that will consider in trying to assess the steadying influence hearton other batsmen, if early probable outcome of the Tests.
GOOD NEWS wickets fall while he is playing is the number of ell-rounders
In America, it is no strange Inclusion {<T
To prevent such happening, i when in the ante, sure and patient ; available
the Professional Golfers Asso- thing for a round to take up to
Now for some good news for manner that has characterized eldes are finally chosen.
clation oficials broke their rules: four hours and Cotton himself his performances since authority
so twice, be- said he had no intention of rugger fans. This year the police It is in this department that, in in fact they did and responsibility were thrust
the final round one hurrying to such a degree that are folding one of the strongest my opinion, Australia has a dis- cause in upon him.
Unot avantage.
Australia can, couple was allowed to start their he would be on the heels of the sides they have had for a long time. They have managed tą, get in quite a lot of practice ond The Club can usually bo do Other batsmen on the English and no doubt will, put a team round in front of the couple couple in front.
training. laek of pended upon to pull something side who are more likely to play into the field that has virtually who, on the official programme,
were ahead of them.
He has always been a careful combined
which was one of the causes of out of the bag, but because of safe than go for the runs are no "tall" to wee
I am in- Rules for the tournament, as player but has never been ac
the threes weakness It Hill Ands his way into the
their downfall last year. II HM Bailey, Compton (if fit), Edrich
all such events, stated clear-cused of being e time waster or
Some new faces will be pre-clined to favour the Nayy to and
for also is Johnston team. and Cowdrey, The latter has the
÷ score rapidly, but included, then Australia's battingly that competitors must start in of taking so much time over his capacity to
times shots as does South Africa's sent in this team. A new comer, win will hesitate to
Marsh has been playing recently exercise it, strength extends right down to the order
they
are Bobby Locke for example, Hall and specified, otherwise unloer
cago in the Metropolitan Police "A" In the last game the two Cotton's (and Locke's) he enjoys spectacular Number Nine, for
team in the UK. and should be teams have agreed to field sub- subors orly in the tour and ac-Johnston are the only possibles liable to disqualification.
By allowing the two couples and concentration, not to be con
definite acquisition to the stitutes, at half time if they wish quires confidence on that account. on the Australian side who have
to do 'so and, though this is not linc. no claim to parscasing batting to reverse their starting times fused with time wasting, have a
and also agreeing to Van Donck been justified by, the high place, Police
Slevin has also returned to entirely in fine with the. Rugby changing his partner, the PGA they have reached in the game.
the
is Union Dal Rees, officials definitely broke their
British offer, another famous of battering his way through any game law, as this to a friendly own rules,
on the will give the team selectors a balf-hearted tackling. The general
hestate to express his opinion
chanco to build up for the opinion is that Von Donck was if needs be, said that there was
On the
wing the Police have Pentangular Tournament. his threat and the PGA should complaint, and that Cotton was Yards runner, and their threes the Club "B" take on-HQLF,
to tell
playing not
slowly but only the list of English bave been firm enough
the should therefore have plenty of but will, I fear, find few up- either carry keeping his place with
speed and dash,
porters with the main gomes... sa of the wicket, Simpson players selected for the tour, on him so and let him
The pack la heavy, fast and close at hand. hand, I find myself it out or take the consequences. couple in front. and: daring, and the other Krwoo
NOT THAT BLOW
Whatever the opinions may be extremely keen, and though they
TEAMS unable to choose any combina Wilson
for his aggression.
In falmess to Cotton he was Lindsay Hasatt is going to be tion of eleven players that will
bowling not all that slow. Ho and Van about the whole affair, the PC will probably be unable to over- by breaking their own ruica, come the Army, the latter will
Patterson, adequate
Ingall, sadly missed from the Australian ensure
badly out of the have to go all out to keep the incoe, Korbelson, Cain, Brent- His montia side.
yet include batting Donck, perhaps a quicker player have ecme of stability strength,
Lord, Parkinson, Bevin-Thomas, Arthur Morris, who is expected Eight on
that in this depart course, where wind conditions take in future. It similar hup-claim to have one of the best Eve, Bell, Anthony** Chisholm, to play the safe, straight bat and therefore,
Thomas, Banskin, Bowring. occur-China lengthen the timb penings
Mall sides ever folded. As, however, has a marked helped to
Brown, MeNiven, Police: set an example to his opening ment Australia
the Navy makes this claim every Scott, Slevin McMahon, Special, taken for playing shots.
March, partner and following batsmen. advantage.
Harris, Lelllott, Shelley. Dir
Dirken; Ferry <•END.
Dawson. WEEK-
Peter May, Simpron and ability. Graveney, supported Wilm are
by, Vic
All the other the batsmen most likely to assume the offensive
will be skill-woven progress
and their
in:
dor
his
DOOSESS
ikely players batting considerable
those who may be their
for keenly-May for h chosen primarily batting and charming bowling prowess.
Graveney because of
From
concensus
of
not within his rights in making no necessity for Van Donck's MacMahon, the Colony 880 On the Happy Valley ground
in
will fall upon the shoulders of ability below Numbers Seven or than sume, took about three matter and it is being wondered Police in their place.
the list. I think, hours for their round on a long what action they wil, or can, In the second gone the Navy
THE
GAMBOLS
BEORGE, WILL YOU PEEL TUC POTATOES
HOW ABOUT HELPING WITH TUZ WASHING UP ? T
(ÍM BUSY
By
Barry Appleby
JUST GOING OUT NOW THE LAWN.
CAN GET SOMEONE TO HELP
ME WITH THE HOUSEWORK —IT
WOULD ONLY COST YOU
WEEK
A
Surf
Surt le
Surf
thes
ally clean
[Army:
NAVY
Todd Bryan, Carpenter,
wood Howitt, Haywood,
Seymour East, Clode, Steward, Badd, Heatley, Healey Coates, Flavell, Annandale, Hata, Owen, Newman, Mitchell,
Club: Hickson, Ingles, Brom-
hall;!Watson
Turville;
Cole Hargroves, Rogers Slack Farquhars
Steven, Moran, Poiric.
TIRED EYES
BRITISH and Best
CAIDRICK MACGREGOR & CO.LTD.
BRIT
SUES AGENTS AND
ALLSOPP'S
BRITISH LAGIR BIIR
Sole Agents CALDBECK MACGREGOR & CO., LTD.
Time passes....
quality remains
FAVRE LEUBA