FIRST TEST MATCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 306, 26 December 1924, Page 5

FIRST TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA'S DAY. FINE LAST WICKET STANIX (By Cable.—Frcss Association.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, December 25. Wintry conditions ruled for the fifth day of the first Test match, England v. Australia. A strong south-west wind, accompanied by showers of cold rain, made things most unpleasant for players and spectators alike. The play was! adjourned for periods of 20 and 28 minutes before lunch. The attendance was small, but reached 8000 at the end of the day. The wicket was beginning to wear, and the outfield was slow. Collins, after adding two singles to his overnight score, snicked a ball from Tate to Chapman at fine slip. He had batted 154 minutes, and hit three fours. Hendry pave a pleasing display, although he could do nothing with Tate. He pulled j Freeman nicely to leg. Taylor waa suffering from a boil on the leg, which proved a handicap in running between wickets. The slightly wet wicket just Suited Tat<\ who, prior to lunch, had taken two wickets for two runs nad bowled five maidens. As in the first innings, he proved a tower of strength to his side. Taylor, usually a fast scorer, could not at first cet going, but livened up after lunch. His partnership with Oldfield and Mai ley proved the brightest parts of yesterday's innings. Most of his score came from nicely played cuts and glances. He displayed much skill in pulling Hearne tii leg, and made many vigorous drives, some of which reached the fence, but most were stopped by smart fielding. TAYLOR'S SUPERB PI/AY. As in the first innings. Australia proved it had a most useful tail, which could be depended upon to add considerably to the score. Oldfield and Mailey stepped out to Hearne and hit him hard. Strudwick proved himself n versatile fieldsman, and occasionally made a dash' of 50yds into the field in pursuit of the ball. Three hundred appeared on the board for 324 minutes' pier. The rain cleared during the afternoon, and the sun shone out fitfully. The outstanding feature was the remarkable, last wicket stand of Taylor and Mailey, which added 127 runs. Taylor's exhibition was absolutely superb. Tie played carefully yet vigorously, placing hia strokes with great precision and force. He batted 104 minutes and hit eight fours. His century took 149 minutes to Compile. The partnership scored quickly and put on 100 in Gl minutes. A GREAT OVATION, Mailey also played forcefully and showed good judgment in placing the ball. He occupied the crease for 79 minutes and hit four fours. Gilligan made frequent changes in the bowling in an attempt to separate the pair. At last Tate broke Taylor's defence with a straight ball which he tried to pull. Both players were accorded a great ovation on leaving the field. The innings lasted 425 minutes. With an hour of the days play re-! maining, England took the field facing i the tremendous task of making 005 to win. Hobbs was accompanied by SutclifTp. who opened brightly. Hobbs appeared not to be too comfortable facingGregory, who was bowling with a strong wind at his back and rocking in very quickly. When the board showed 23 Hobbs survived an appeal for leg before. Collins put Mailey on against the wind in an endeavour to catch Sutcliffe as in the first innings. The Australians can learn a lot of points from the Englishmen in running between wickets. The visitors lose very few runs. Neither batsmen took any risks and runs came slowly. When the total was 37 Hobbe was nearly stumped. He was ecoring very slowly and reached double figures in singles, an unusual thing for him. Scores:— AUSTRALIA. First innings *.... 450 Second Innings. Bardeley, b Tate 22 A. Richardson, c and b Freeman 98 Kellewuy, l> Gilligan 23 Collins, c Chapman, b Tate liO ' l'onsford, c Wooltey, b Freeman .... 27 V*. Richardson, c Hendren. b Tate. ... 18 Headry, c Strudwick, b Tate 22 | Taylor, b Tute 108 | Gregory, c Woolley, b Freeman .... 2 , Oldlield, c Strudwick, b Gilligan ..., : 18 ' Mailpy, not out 40 Extras I Total .., 452 Bowling Analysis.—Gilligan took two wickets for 114, Tate five for 98, Freeman three for 134, Hearne none for 88, Chapman none for 10. The fall of the wickets wttß as follows: One for 40, two for 116, three for 168, four for 210, five for 241, six for 2fiO, seven for 281, eight for 2SO, nine for 32."), ten for 402. England. First innings 298 iSecond Innings. I Hobbs, not out •.... ••>•«■..• 13 i Sutcliffe, not out ~> jC 27 ' Extras >>: .., % 2 No wickets for 42 There will be no play on Christmas Day, but the match will be resumed on Boxing Day. Owing to the protracted nature of the game the Englishmen's fixture against Southern districts at Albury has been cancelled.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) | I RECORD ATTENDANCES. AND RECORD TAKINGS. (Received 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. At the end of the fifth day of the Test match a record was established, the attendance having aggregated 134.301 people and the takings at the gates j £13.250. The previous record for attendance was 111,265, and the previous record takings £10,357. — (A. and N.Z.) SOUTH AFRICAN TEST. ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 198. CAPETOWN, December 24. The first unofficial test match between South Africa and England was commenced at Johannesburg. England in the first innings made 19S (Tyldealcy 14, Bowley ">7. Russell 34. Tennyson 571. The South African bowling was good and their fielding excellent. Nupen took five wickets for 54. South Africa have lost I tTFS for and N.Z. Cable.}, j