The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-18
BRITISH TEAM
 YET UNKNOWN English Selection Com mittee's Choice Dark
 Mystery
By CAPT. PERCY R. CREED,
 1T aased Wire to The Age.Herald. l

NEW YORK, Aug. 1.-The arrival of the English polo players Monday, for the international matches with America brings up the question of the compost tion of the English team, which, so far, has been shrouded in mystery. The fact is that the vacilitatation of the English selection committee prevents that ques- tion from being answered now.
 Solomon, who knew thing or two, said that there were four things no fellow could understand The way of a eagle in the air; the way of ser pent upon a rock; the way of ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid. If he had known our English selection committee, Solo mon would, I think, have added 1t to his honorable roll of mysteries. The selection committee was appointed last year by the Birmingham club, the gov erning body of polo in England. Those who claim to know, maintain that the committee never meets, but that every now and then the butler of one of the members picks up some information which he allows to get abroad. Nobody, however, takes any notice, so it does not matter. Individually, the commit tee are probably good scouts and regu- lar fellows, but collectively they are like nothing else in this world. l al- ways maintained that the reason Eng land had no plans during the war, wac to prevent the enemy from finding them out and it is possible that our polo selection committee adTaires this method even though the business In hand be friendly sport and not war.
 It is necessary to deal with the two questions which I have posed because they vitally affect the efficiency of the English team. The question of practice on this side of the Atlantic is all-impor- tent. The climate, the pace of the ground, the light, and the whole sur roundings are so different from English conditions that at least two months practice are required to enable English players to find their form. When they do find it, they prefer American con ditions and most of them play bet ter game on this side than they do in England, especially those who learned their polo on the hard grounds ot India. Practice on English grounds with view to playing test matches Tn America is worse than useless and our English players have bene so busy prac- ticing in London that they will only have IS days in which to do two months work at Meadowbrook. These things are perfectly well known. There IS no dispute about them. And the only answer if it can be called an answer, is the selection committee. But these things don't help England any to do herself justice at Meadowbrook.
 tIt is expected that the English team win be chosen from the following play eds who are due in New York Monday, Major Vivian N. Lockett, Colonel T. F. Meivill, Major F. B. Hurndall, MT. L.. h.. Lacey, Capt. c. H. Phipps-Hornby, Major E. G. Atkinson and Major T. w. Kirkwood. It has been officially stated but nobody believes it-that the Eng lish team will be Kirkwood No. l, Phipps-Hornby No. 2, Hurndall No. 3 and Lacey back. That, I venture to say, will not be the English team which will. I think, be found to include Mel will and Lockett if they can strike some thing like the form which they showed at Meadowbrook last fall for the British army team.
 Vivian Lockett, who is AS years of age, alone has had experience in the fight for the international polo cup, having, had a handsome share in the English victory at Meadowbrook in 1914 and a less satisfactory share in the English defeat at Birmingham in 1921. His nick name amongst his intimate friends is ''Slackit," play on his name which in- dicates his easy-going disposition. He has the ideal temperament for the try ing ordeal of an international, struggle.
 Never down-hearted, never rattled, but just keyed up to the pitch to show him at his best, his, as I have said, is the ideal temperament for the great oc- icasion, the first all-important quality of the international player. American number ones who have played against him have profound respect for him. They say frankly that he knows too much for them. He is a fine horseman, a natural game player and good and accurate hitter all around his pony. He has always shown much better form in America than in England.
 l.. l.. Lacey, who is 38 years old, is perhaps the most brilliant individual player of the day. His hitting is per feet joy and the hotter the pace the better it suits him. He has nerve, dash and wit which works like chain light ming. And he is a deadly shot at goal If he could find No. to coalesce with him they would make a combination bCCOuu lO hOuS' AIe SuOu1u Dc Cdplulu of the English team. He has never play ed for England before, though he has shown what he can do at Meadowbrook when playing for his adopted country, the Argentine. He unfortunately had an accident in London lately and tore the muscles of his shoulder rather badly.
 Hurndall, who is 40 years of age, is very fine player who would have been a perfect No. 2 if he were not under the mistaken impression that No. is his place. He is as quick as a flash with mind and stick, brilliant hitter with a natural instinct for the game and can combine with any player. So good judge as Devereux Milburn last fall considered him the best of the Eng fish players.
 Melville, who is 47 years of age, the doyen of the party, commands the 17th dancers, crack regiment, known as the death or glory boys" His nickname is Dolly" and there can be nothing much the matter with a man who can hold