A Letter From England

Dear Boy As it appears to us old fogeys If you'll excuse the term that we adopt You and your battery of bowling bogeys Seem to have come a rather nasty flop. Psychology, you know, and moral suasion, And all these fine nuances of the game Appear to us, at least on this occasion, To have been, so to speak, a trifle tame. We would not be too hard; we know your task is Sterner than we supposed when you set out Avoiding criticism, all we ask is. Please dropp 'shock tactics' and cut 'stunting' out. Try to avoid a batting ace with roots on, Like Don's, to keep him at the crease, old chap; Use only bowlers who can keep their boots on, And, please, please don't count too much on that cap. If you think it would make your prospects brighter And help the boys to bring those Ashes back, We'll waive that rule about the player-writer So that you may consider using Jack. Take his advice, my boy; he knows the Aussie And all his tricks. So, trusting you will be On this day fortnight in a better 'possie,' Your ever hopeful Auntie,