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TEST CRICKETERS SAIL
HEARTY S SSto - OFF
by 5,qq#
Big Cheer For Bradman
By P. J. MILLARD
To the cheers and waving of 5000 people, the Aus
tralian Test cricket team — 16 players and manager (Mr
W. H. Jeanes) — sailed from Port Melbourne today in the
Maloja for Adelaide and Fremantle on their way to
England to defend the Ashes which Australia has held
since 1934.
A special cliccr was Riven lo Don Bradman, ihc captain, wlien
a few minutes before sailing time, he appeared at the deck rail
between Waitc and Walker. As in their batting, Finglcton and
Brown were together as the players lined the rail when the boat
moved off.
"We hope to return with the Ashes," was the final summing
up of Mr Jeanes. All the players were in high spirits and hopes,
as they began the second stage of their eight months' lour.
All Fit , And Confident
The players looked a keen, determined
band, and all thoroughly fit— the very
men for the big job in hand.
In U days the 16 athletic individuals
who boarded the boat for Tasmania-
die first stage — have been welded into a
team — "Brndman's team," as cricket his
tory will know it. The influence of the
captain, supported by the manager, is
already obvious.
The team comprises D. G. Bradman
(S.A.), capt.; S. J. McCnbo (N.S.W.),
vicc-cnpt.: C. L. Bndcock (S.A.). S, G.
Barnes (N.S.W.), B. A. Barnelt (V.), W.
A. Brown (Q.), A. G. Chippcrficld
iN.S.W.), J. H. Finglcton (N.S.W.). L. O.
Fleetwood-Smith (V.), A. L». Hossett
(V.), e. L. McCormick (V.). W. J.
O'Reillv (N.S.W.), M. G. Waitc (S.A.),
C. W. Walker (S.A.). F. A. Ward (S.A.),
E. C. S. White (N.S.W.).
Immaculately dressed, mostly in smart
double-breasted suits, the team might
well be termed "The Sartorial Sixteen"
In this they have actually improved on
the high standard set by previous Aus
tralian teams since the Great War. Aus-
tralian cricketers are becoming almost as
j noted for their good taste in dress as
i their prowess on the field!
i Fine weather and a large crowd, linked
' to tho liner until the last moment
by a multi-colored maze of streamers,
! accentuated the warmth of today's farc-
I well. On the pier were many cricket
lovers and officials to shout "Good-bye
j and good luck!"
j The Australian cricketers are cmbark-
i ing on a tour of luxury travel. Single-
j berth cabins in the Maloja and Oront03
jto begin with!
! They are. well armed with camcros and
(fountain pens.
Australia sends her 19th Test team to
cd confidence— for there is no Ponsford
on board this lime. Ponsford. no lcss|
than Bradman, was a match-winner in
the 1934 Tests.
Nevertheless, the 1938 Australian stdo
must be accorded at least an equal
! chance of success against England. Brad-
man, O'Reilly and Fleetwood-Smith loom
as potential match-winners in the com
ing Tests.
Three-Day Game In Perth ;
A happy augury was the great open
ing partnership, at Hobart, by "the old
firm," Fingleton and Brown. The shadow
of Test selection dissipated, the pair were
their South African selvfcs again. This
has heartened the team tremendously.
Reaching Perth early next Monday, the
tourists will have four days' rest and
sight-seeing before beginning their
three-day game against Western Austra
lia at noon on March 18 (2 p.m. Mel
bourne time).
They will sail from Fremantle for
England in the Orontcs at 7.30 p.m. on
March 21, and reach Southampton (Eng
land) on April 20. ...
Their first match in England is at
Worcester on April 30. They' will play
36 matches in England. Scotland, Wales
and Ireland, before returning home in
the Orontes.
They are due bock in Melbourne on
' October 31.
; Mr D. H. Fox, Victoria's 77-year-old
scorer, is accompanying the team to
Perth to score in the match there; and
Mr Harry Bussell, Fitzroy C.C. secre
tary, and a member of the Board of Con
trol, will go with the side as far as
Colombo, on a holiday trip.
Messrs Neville Cardus and W. Pollock,
English cricket writers, sailed in the
Maloja today, homeward bound.
Brilliant Rather
Than Balanced,
Says Cardus
A brilliant, rather than a well-bal-'
anced side, was the summing up to
day by Mr Neville Cardus, of the 1938 »
Australian Test team. . ;
"In a dry summer, England will have;
to fight very hard," he said. "But if I-
were captain of this Australian team. I;
should be afraid of encountering a scriqs;
of dead wickets, in a wet English summer;
with little sunshine. ,
"In those conditions, this team's bowl-;
ing strength would be sorely tried. The;
work of Fleotwood-Smith and Ward;
might be of little avail, but it might
then be that Waitc would prove himself.'
"And, of course, there is White. 1
saw him in Sydney, and liked him. But;
he has not had the experience, and
might bowl a little short for such nnj
English wicket.
"Among batsmen such os Bradman,!
McCabc, Badcock and the rest, there are
plenty of runs for a dry. summer. But
the want of a left-handed batsman may;
be felt. Inn Lee is the type — a fine
young batsman.
"Anyhow, it is a team of great poten
tialities, and the rubber is sure 'to be
most interesting."
ENGLISH TEAM TO
"GET TOGETHER"
Australian Associated Press
LONDON, Monday. — The English
team, during the Tests, will stay together
at one hotel, instead .of having to make
their own arrangements, as before, says
the Daily Mail.
With the entire team housed under one
roof, constant contact between the ama-
! tcurs and professionals is possible, and
tho team-spirit will be built up.
DON BRADMAN'S HAPPY SMILE as the Maloja sailed from Port Mel bourne this afternoon indicated hi confidence in the success of the team. Help
DON BRADMAN'S HAPPY SMILE
as the Maloja sailed from Port Mel
bourne this afternoon indicated hi
confidence in the success of the team.
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