26 AUGUST 1938, Page 3

During the present Australian tour four Test Matches have been

played, one having been cancelled through rain. Those at Trent Bridge and Lord's were drawn in England's favour ; at Leeds the Australians won by five wickets ; at the Oval England won by an innings and 579 runs. Yet Australia keeps the Ashes. We do not grudge them, but it is question- able whether they are in the right place. Australia, however, has been handicapped by heavy casualties ; but for them the duration of the last Test Match would have been very different, though its result hardly could have been. But one thing has been made obvious. " Timeless Tests " do not make for good cricket. Most people will agree with Sir Pelham Warner that we should allow five days for a Test Match, but draw the line resolutely there.