A LONG TEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 308, 29 December 1924, Page 4

A LONG TEST.

That the English spend three days over a game is a thing that astonishes and amuses foreigners. This December, however, the world has seen the British Empire follow a match that has lasted a week. Not for the tens of thousands who attended at the Sydney Cricket Ground, or for the millions who followed the changes of the game through the Press, was there the boredom of games that afflicts Mr. Bernard Shaw. It was a great struggle, in which the bat was stronger than the ball, fortune swung to and fro, and there was determination to the end. The aggregate of runs was very high, there being three innings c-f more than 400 and one just under 300. England will be disappointed at the result; and a good many New Zealanders will share the feeling. Englishmen have not won a Test match since 1912, and some lovers of the game who in years gone by "barracked" for Australia now wish that the sequence of Australian victories was broken. England, however, was not disgraced. The first innings total was disappointing, but to get over four hundred in the fourth innings of the match was a fine feat. Apparently this total had never before been reached in the last innings of a Test match. Moreover, the English bowlers stuck to their task manfully throughout. Tate clinched his claim to be a great bowler, and he may yet do sensational execution in the Australian side. Gilligan's choice of Freeman was justified, but he seems to have regretted leaving out Douglas, who, besides being a useful bowler, is a notable fighter with the bat when the side is in a tight place. There will be changes in the English team for the next match. Among the features of the game were the heavy Bcoring by the "tail" on both sides— the Australians are especially strong in this Tespect—and the double partnership of more than a hundred by Hobbs and Sutcliffe. Hobbs is generously acclaimed by the Australians the world's foremost batsman, and in Sutcliife England seems to have found an ideal opening partner for him. Neither Hearne nor Sandham has struck form, and if Hcarne's bowling can be spared, both may have to stand down next time. Comments din Australia's batting strength were justified, but notwithstanding the victory the selectors may think it wise to reinforce the bowling. Australia won by a handsome margin, but the play was such that the result of the series is still quite open. The Australians were stronger than a strong side, which has groat possibilities and may move to greater strength.