13 DECEMBER 1963, Page 15

No hall

The language of sport is now almost identical with that of political ideology. 'A fine young Australian has been sacrificed on the altar, etc. . . .' And as Lord Beaverbrook would ask, for why? Because he chucks when he tries to bowl his fastest ball. And as at Test match level he is only likely to get a reasonable number of wickets with his fastest ball the dilemma is com- plete. Few people who have watched Ian Meckiff bowl would quarrel with the decision the Australian umpire took. At least we can be thankful that he was called in Australia. If he had come with next year's side to England the Commonwealth would have been divided as it has not been since Jardine's tour in 1932-33.