England has paid the West Indies the compliment of selecting one of the strongest possible sides to represent the country in the first Test match, which will be begun at Lords on June 24. The record of the v ors to date has not been particularly impres-but it is a well-known fact that they always do better in Test matches than in others, and that also they have needed time to accustom themselves to the different conditions that prevail in the home country. Yorkshire as usual, well represented in the English side. With Hutton to preserve the reputation of the champion county with the bat, Verity and Bowes. both of whom have shown fine form this season, should be able to do the same thing with the ball; while there is no better wicket-keeper than Wood, though his prowess with the bat has been uncertain and cannot be compared with that of Ames, who has been allowed to rest. Gimblett of Somerset is making his first appearance in a Test. His record this season has been remarkable. fully bearing out the prophets who, when he first joined his county team, foretold a great future for the tall and powerful youth. W. R. Hammond was a certainty as captain, while many will be pleased to see that Dennis Compton, the young Middlesex player, has again been given a chance. Compton would probably have accompanied the M.C.C. side to South Africa last winter, had he not been a first class football player as well as cricketer, and thus have winter commitments he could not get out of. He, with Paynter and Hard-staff, should put England in a strong position so far as scoring is concerned. Copson will be the duties of fast bowler with Bow been doing uncommonly well this for Derbyshire. Wright, with is leg spins, makes up the balance of the attack. Though Wright was not a great success during the South African tour, the Australians have good cause to know that he can be very dangerous on home wickets.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.