12 JANUARY 1929, Page 3

Although the Test Match is ancient 'history, we must add

our congratulations to the chorus. Ity winning the rubber in three successive matches 'England retained the "aches " which she won from Australia at the Oval in 1926, and,"Nirhat is almost as good, won the first rubber in AuStialia for seventeen years. She was set the " record " task of 'making. 882 runs in the last innings on a tricky wicket that seemed likely to make the most experienced team go to pieces. But Hobbs and Sutcliffe rose to the occasion, and-scored 105 before being separated, and the rest (though there were moments of great suspense) backed them up wonderfully. The winning stroke was played' with three wickets in hand. 'English pessimists' are at present among the unemployed.