CRICKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 97, 5 February 1936, Page 2

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS BEAT MADRAS. United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) MADRAS, February 4. H. F. Tarrant’s Australian Eleven won a most exciting match against Madras Presidency by one wicket. This was due largely to Leather’s hurricane hitting, his score being 46 not out. He was garlanded by the sporting spectators. The scores were: Presidency, 142 and 165; Australians, 47 and 262 for nine. In Australia’s first innings Gopolan took six wickets for 23. M.C.C. PLAYS MANAWATU. VISITORS’ MODERATE SCORE. PALMERSTON N., February 4. A cricket match between Manawatu and the Marylebone Cricket Club began to-day. The weather was gloriously fine, and the ground was in good order. Spectators were treated to a great day’s cricket. Features were the fielding of both teams, the batting of Hard,staff and Gallichan, and the superiority of the local bowlers over the other batsmen. Murchison took six Marylebone Cricket Club wickets for 51 runs. Scores:— MARYLEBONE CRICKET CLUB. First Innings. Parks, lbw, b Berquist 3 Langridge, c Robertson, b Murchison ... 3 Hardstaff, b Murchison 75 Mitchell-Innes, c Berquist, b Murchison ... i.. ... 10 Lyttelton, lbw, b Murchison ... 23 Human, b Murchison 2 Griffith, b Gallichan 3 Powell, c Berquist, b Murchison ... 16 Holmes, c McVicar, b Waldin ... 12 Read, not out 17 Baxter, b Gallichan 1 Extras H Total 176 Bowling—Murchison took six wickets for 51 runs, Berquist one for 29, Hearsey none for 44, Gallichan two for 40, Cutler none for 1, Waldin one for 1. MANAWATU. First Innings, McVicar, lbw, b Baxter '• 3 Robertson, b Baxter ... ... 3 Murchison, b Baxter 0 Cutler, b Parks 6 Gallichan, c Read, b Parks ... 41 Onglev, c Holmes, b Parks ... 3 Olliver, not out 3 Norris, c Powell, b Read 6 Waldin, not out 1 Extras ••• 9 Total (for seven wickets) 85 Bowling —Read took one wickets for 21 runs, Baxter three for 16, Parks three for 22, Langridge none for 16, Human none for 2. SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. QUEENSLAND’S BIG SCORE. SYDNEY, February 1 In the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland, Victoria in its first innings made 446_(Hassett 49, Plant 67). Bowling: Gilbert five for 109, Cook time for 93. Queensland, (first innings 194) in its second innings made 374 for four wickets (Allen 44, Tallon 193, Hansen 55 not out, Cook 14 not out). Tallon hit 28 fours and one six.

BRADMAN AS A LEADER. WORRALL GIVES PRAISE. There were two phases concerning Bradman’s appearance in the match against Victoria, in which lie made 357, that were under strict scrutiny. The first (writes J. Worrall in the “Australasia”) was regarding his hatting, and though one was impressed by his earlier Shield successes, seeing is believing, and, all doubt that might have been prevalent was dissipated upon actual observation. To the delight and joy of all he was the dashing, daring batsman of yore, a stroke genius, while in his quieter moments, especially at the commencement of his prolific knock, when a certain amount of caution was justified, he was as sound and as correct as Woodfull, so nothing further need be said on that score. I have several times pointed out that there were no sounder man in fundamentals, and that it was in the execution of strokes that he displayed his individuality and versatility. Purists in England have complained of his cross hat when making certain shots,_hut if a straight ball is to be hit into certain parts of the field, and not necessarily in front of the wicket, I would like it explained bow the strokes could be made otherwise than with a cross bat. It is as necessary as a straight bat in making a defensive stroke, and invariably the result of a last half-second decision. The other phase, and equally as important in view of his probability as our next test captain, was how he would shape as leader. Well, be placed liis field splendidly fur the bowling at his command, changed the attack judiciously, and in all respects appeared to fill the bill perfectly. He was frequently seen talking to and encouraging bis bowlers, and it is a nice thing to see in a leader. It was the custom in my playing days, but, like a lot of other customs, went out of fashion, though it was pleasing to notice its return. These little per-, sonal touches go a long way in cementing the fellowship of the side. He has worked wonders with the team under him, the young fellows swearing by him, and they are on their toes all

the time. Watching him carefully and critically, I am of the opinion that he will make almost an ideal test captain —one that will make a name for himself if given the opportunity.