3 JULY 1926, Page 7

The Test Match brought out. English cricket at its best.

English cricketers hold their heads up again and are perhaps wondering why they ever lowered them. The English batting, bowling and fielding were all first rate. It would not be worth while to say this if it could not be said after a due comparison with the admirable Australian standard and after a match in which the chief batting honours fell to an Australian in a marvellous innings. It seems clearer than ever that on a reasonably good wicket three days are not enough to make a Test Match a test. It may be said that as playing against time is a glorious part of the game—with which we agree—the English batsmen should have forced the pace and might have won even within the three days. So they might ; but sound cricket means the acceptance of reasonable .risks not of unreasonable and even wild risks. Four days for a Test Match would be a reasonable compromise, with no limit for the last match. Is it impossible somehow to add one day to each of the next two matches ?