MODERATE SCORE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 192, 27 May 1938, Page 5

MODERATE SCORE

HAMPSHIRE’S BATTING. WICKET ASSISTS BOWLERS. BRADMAN APPROACHES 1000. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Dav, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 26. The weather at Southampton was dull early in the morning for the cricket match Australia v. Hampshire. Later the warm sun, following the rain yesterday, induced Bradman, who won the toss, to send in Hampshire. Only the ends of the wicket had been flimsily covered.

McCormick opened at a moderate pace, but two of the first three balls struck McCorkell. The policy of the batsmen appeared to be to score as many runs as possible before tlie wicket turned vicious.

Arnold, in attempting a big bit off O’Reilly, played the ball on to his wicket. McCorkell, when 10, was dropped by Walker, off O’Reilly, but in the same over he was well caught at first slip. Paris was clean bowled by a beautiful ball from O‘Reilly, at which lie lunged. Fleetwood-Smith yorked Moore and took his middle stump. O’Reilly, with a “fcosey,” bowled Creese. Five wickets were down in 85minutes. Playing courageously, Steele and Hill added 31 runs, when in the last over before luncheon Hill was well caught in the longfield, and seven wickets were doAvn for 141.

Steele and Baring were out with the addition of only three runs after luncheon and O’Reilly, getting Boyes caught ended the innings after 135 minutes.

Hampshire’s score was creditable in the circumstances. The wicket, while not sticky, certainly assisted the bowlers.

The pitch seemed to have recovered a little when Australia batted.

Fingleton and Brown opened cautiously, but later Brown became aggressive and outshone his partner, who, while safe, waited for runs to come. The spin-bowlers were not called upon until 78 was on the board. Boyes, a slow lefthander, immediately dismissed Brown. Ten thousand spectators were present after tea,’when most of the venom had departed from the wicket. Fingleton and Bradman carried the score along steadily, though they were careful when facing the spinners, Boyes and Hill. The total of 100 occupied 110 minutes. Bradman was uneasy and mistimed a number of shots. Fingleton played most dead hat strokes. Later the pair, especially Bradman, livened up and 100 for the partnership was realised after 95 minutes. The batsmeli scored freely in the closing stages. At the drawing of stumps Bradman needed 53 runs for 1000 in May. Scores:

HAMPSHIRE. First Innings. McCorkell, o Chipperfield b O’Reilly 10 Arnold, b O’Reilly 23 Paris, b O’Reilly ... 18 Creese, b O’Reilly 22 Pothecary, c Walker, b O’Reilly ... 16 Moore, b Fleetwood-Smith ... 5 Steele, run out ... 24 Hill, c Fingleton, b White ... 11 Boyes, c. Bradman, b O’Reilly ... 11 Baring, b White ... ... ... 0 Heath, not out A Extras I** Total 15” Bowling: McCormick none for 16, McCabe none for 9,- O’Reilly six for 65, White two for 19. Fleetwood-Smith one for 35. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Fingleton, not out 81 Brown, c Pothecary, b Boyes ... 47 Bradman, not out 71 Extras 5 Total for one wicket ... 204