The only consolation to be derived from the result of
the fifth Test Match is the reflection that if it had lasted four days instead of three England would probably have won. Why the Australian matches should be given four days and the South African three I do not pretend to know, but it is a thoroughly bad arrangement, as shown by the fact that out of the five matches only one has been played to a finish. For their victory in that one the South Africans are entitled to full credit, particularly When it is remembered that they arc a team of amateurs, playing less first-class cricket than most of the few amateurs in the English side, and far less than the many professionals. It is a chastening reflection that England has now been beaten successively by Australia, the West Indies and South Africa.
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