FIRST CRICKET TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 307, 27 December 1924, Page 7

FIRST CRICKET TEST.

CHAPMAN'S BRIGHT PLAY. WOOIXEY GETS SET. (By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright.) SYDNEY, December 26. The -weather -was dull but fine at the start of the sixth day of the Test cricket match, England v. Australia. England resumed the second innings, requiring 563 runs to win. The wicket was in excellent condition considering that this is the sixth day of the match, and the outfield was good. The attendance was 20,000, later reaching 29,000. Hobbs and Sutcliffe quickly settled down. Mailey was bowling well and was played carefully, except his loose ones, which pitched well up. These both batsmen stepped out to and drove or pulled to the fence. Gregory, with the wind behind him, was sending the ball down very quickly, and caused Hobbs some anxiety when one bounced over his head. Both men cut him nicely. When Sutcliffe was facing Mailey, Collins placed a man at short mid-off, in the hope of making a catch. He later adopted the same move with Hobbs, and it proved successful, the batsman just tapping a soft one to Hendry. Hobbs scored more quickly than Sutcliffe until their scores were equal at 41 each. Then they kept together, reaching 50 in 104 and 105 minutes respectively. The century also appeared after ](V 4 minutes. Hobbs batted 111 minutes, the partnership yielding 110 runs. Sutcliffe showed more confidence than in the first innings, and played very correct cricket, finding holes in the field nicely. Bardsley in the outfield had a good deal of in!"reepting to do, and acquitted himself well. CHAPMAN HITS OUT. The play slowed down until Chapman arrived, of whom the crowd expected great things. He hit the second six of the match, putting Mailey twice over the fence, and played vigorously, driving strongly. When the score was 187 Chapman wag nearly run out by a quick return from A. Richardson, and again a run later from Ponsford. His partnership with Sutcliffe put on 62 and lasted 46 minutes. Sutcliffe carried on in good style. The second century appeared for 184 minutes' play. Hendren failed to maintain his average. He occupied the crease 26 minutes. The Australian fielding, while good, especially that of V. Richardson, lacked the snap and cleanness of the Englishmen's. "Hendren, in making a hit overhead, off Gregory, split his bat. Rain commenced at 3.15 p.m., and ten minutes later the teams left the field. GREGORY'S LONG REACH. Play was resumed at 4.5. The rain had caused the outfield to become slippery. Sutcliffe reached his century off his second ball after batting 209 minutes. He showed much skill in timing and pulling Gregory's head-high balls to the leg boundary. Fifteen runs later a ball from Mailey hit his wrist and bounced off. Any other fieldsman than Gregory with his long reach would have missed it. Sutcliffe had batted 247 minutes, hit nine fours, and gave no chances. Woolley gave a nice exhibition of hitting all round the wicket, picking the vacant snaces with precision and squarecutting brilliantly. When the board showed 262 Oldfield snapped the bails off but the batsman's foot was just inside. With Sutcliffe's departure a rot set in, Sandham, Tate and Gilligan going cheaply. Kelleway took two wickets for no runs. Woolley kept going and made 50 in 67 minutes. He hit Mailey over the fence. Three hundred appeared in 281 minutes. Freeman provided a bright spot temporarily. Conditions toward the end became unpleasant. Rain threatened and the light commenced to fail. Lightning and thunder preceded the rain, which came down again at 5.30, and seven minutes later the teams left the field. Play was resumed at 5.55, and it was agTeed to extend the time by a quarter of an hour. When at 93 Woolley was missed by Mailey at deep cover. Shortly afterwards, with the score eight for 362, stumns were drawn. Following are the scores:-— AUSTRALIA. First innings -... 450 Second innings 452 ENGLAND. First innings ... 29S Second Innings. Hobbs. c Hrndry, b Mailev ........ 57 Sutcliffe, c Gregory, b Mailey 115 Hoarne, b Gregory 0 Hiapman, c Oldfield, b Hendry .... 44 Hendren, c Gregory, b Hendry 9 Woolley, not out 94 Sandham, c Oldfield, b Mailey .„... 2 Tate, c Ponsford, b Kelleway 0 Gilligan, b Kelleway 1 Freeman, not out .-... 33 Extras 7 Total for eight wickets 362 — (A. and X.Z. Cable.) THE HABITUAL CENTURIOS. HOBBS THE WILLOW WIZARD. A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP. (ncceived 12 noon.) SYDXEY, this day. Commenting on the cricket Test, the "Herald" says th» jaccessful partnership of Hobbs and Sutcliffe was the leading special feature of the batting in lr.aking an opening partnership of over 100 runs in each innings of the match. The pair achieved something that has never been done before. If there is one present day player more than another with whom one associates the words "a hundred" it is Jack Hobbs. A glance at cricket statistics shows the occasions on which he has helped to put up three figures for first wicket in first-class cricket number 97. This is an experience altogether unique. Even Dr. W. G. Grace in his long and wonderful career took part in no more than 69 partnerships, but possibly that he did not do Iso is due to the fact he did not get j the players to stay with him so conI sistentlv as Hobbs.—(A. and N.Z.)