The reserve men were Rhodes, Mead, and Brockwell, who would have been called upon if special conditions demanded their services. The side chosen was undoubtedly representative of the country, and could hardly have been strengthened except. by the inclusion of a genuine fast bowler but with Richardson out of form, and Lockwood liable to breakdown, while 'Mold has never been a success against the 'Australians, the Committee had no bowler whom they' could select merely for Kortright not having recovered from hi accident. sion of Abel freely criti specially at the Oval but as he has never shown a liking fast bowling, it was felt that Jones would probably he too much for him, The last men chosen being, as a rule, mere hat: men, Hearne was probably the first pick, ted as a bowler alone, and the only weak point in the batting. Storer, Fry, and Jackson had always been certainties Brown, on his form and experience ut Australian methods, could not be excluded 5 while Gunn and Shrewsbury were invalu able to stiffen the side. No eleven being complete without a left-hander, Townsend got a place over the head of Ford who had not got into form, 1 so slow howler, and to force the d demoralise the bowlers no better urs could be found there Jessop. Haigh and Hirst, are such level ofers that it was probably a toss-up which got t.e place, but a left-handed howler was wanted and consequently Hirst ped in. No one could cavil at the admission of Ranjitsinhji. The presence of really fast bowler would have greatly strony thened the side, but as all the men of pace were out of form or in doubtful health, the hest. possible selection was made of the available material, Jessop being the only pacay" bowler of aside which included no less than seven men who habitually howl in first-class cricket, and only one "traveller" with the bat. It is needless to add that the fielding was sure to be admirable, and that the t-keep could sifely he left to Storer, thou the case of necident only possible une dorstudy was Ranjitsinhji.
Aad Ford and, MacLaren been in got prentice and yood form they might have taken the places of Townsend and another, which would have strengthened the batting at the expense of the howling, As things stood the selectors had done their work well, and the letters of the grumblers evoked more amusement than sympathy, The Australians, as usual, left the jon of their side till the morn-y of action, und as the wicket seemed fast ud true, and the weather likely toe inno fine, they omitted Worrall, the sla Azet In 1 Laver and, sides were as thoroughly representative ides as could chosen, when the future climatic conditions unknown, hing augured well for game; the weather was ideal, the wicket perfect—fast yet not fiery,—and the attendance proved that the executive had done. well ming one of the big matches to ham. On the afternoon of the first and second days it seemed ay if "House full" might have been plaenrded at every wd wits as impartial Jackson opened proceedings in creditable style by winning the toss, which feat naturally implied that England would bat first. Tt must have been a less easy task fo arrange the order of going in but, acting apparently on the principle of mixing give with gay, Shrewsbury opened the show with "Fry, Jones and Trumble being in opposition. Both-batsmen opened with confident ease, but though Trumble. kept a capital length the good wicket neutralised his break, and Fry, quick on his legs, dashed -in several times to
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