Thoughts on Class
I can only think of one real plus to English cricket from this season. Boycott has made his place secure, and looks like holding it for a long time. Barber looked short of class. So did Price. Where do we look for young class players? I'm not sure if many exist but if they do they are probably in the President's XI now playing the Australians. Over the years as the sun goes down at the Oval during the fifth Test and Bob Babb, the Surrey Secretary, dispenses medicine to those who thirst I have sat at Gubby Allen's feet. Always he preaches the same sermon—look for class.' In 1956, he, as Chairman of the selectors, brought back in turn Sheppard, Washbrook, Compton. Each of them was a glorious success. But now we must look for class without ex- perience. There is no other way to build. And I am sure that this is why he has picked a team under twenty-five. All of them are young and full of promise. The men Allen has picked are his nap selections for the years ahead, and there is no shrewder judge. For those who care about the future of English cricket there is more to study this week at Lord's than at the Oval.
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