ON A DAMAGED PITCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 7

ON A DAMAGED PITCH.

AUSTRALIA V. YORKSHIRE.

VISITORS 148 FOR SIX. TWO MEN RUN OUT. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 17. Bain fell again early this morning, after a fine night, and delayed the start of the game. However the sun had a beneficial elFcct, and it was decided to inspect the pitch at 12.30 p.m. Then a close inspection of the etl"ects of a roller on tlie wicket led to a decision to start at 1 p.m. Collins won the toss and the Australians batted, and when stumps were drawn they had 14S runs on for six wickets. Mailey, Ellis, Gregory, Ponsford and Hendry are standing out of the visiting team. The weather was fine and tlie wicket was easy when play began. The attendance was twelve thousand. The start of the innings was very quiet. A liberal amount of sawdust was used, and the batsmen gave constant attention to the pitch. The first four overs produced a single. In the fifth was an exciting episode. Collins played Robinson to Kilner at fine leg, and the latter slipped. Bardsley called on Collins to run, but the latter declined, and Bardsley, who was then half-way down the pitch slipped and fell, but scra/nbled back to the crease with a narrow margin to spare. Bardsley when six had a lucky escape. He was unable to get out of tlie way of a rising ball from Robinson, but Dolphin missed' the catch. After half an hour's play eleven runs bad been made, and six successive maidens were bowled. Macaulay and Robinson maintained an excellent length, and kept the batsmen on the alert. As Bardsley showed an inclination to make shots on the oil' side, Robinson played up to him, but Bardsley declined the temptation. Collins was equally careful. The first hour yielded " twentytwo runs. Robinson, who was bowling consistently well, drew first blood, Collins diverting a ball from him into the hands of Macaulay at third slip, who held it well low down. MACARTNEY OPENING OUT. Macartney was shaky at tile opening, being beaten by the first two balls from Robinson, but thereafter he imparted much needed life to the game. He straight drove Bobinson and otl'-drove Waddington. Macaulay's length at times was uncertain, but the batsmen treated him respectfully. The brightness was only momentary as the appearance of Kilner and Waddington with the ball demanded care on the part of the batsmen. The scoring relapsed into occasional singles, which was all good fielding permitted. Eventually Kilner got Bardsley with his leg in front of ! the wickets, the board then showing 59 for two. }

Bardsley was a monument of patience. Woodfull was in difficulties at the opening, and the rain which had been threatening for an hour, commenced to fall, but play continued. The light was poor.

At 83, Woodfull was beaten by Rhodes' fourth ball. The next ball Andrews drove to Lupton at deep midon, started to run, fell at full length in the middle of the pitch, and was unable to get home before Rhodes broke tlie wicket. Taylor then attempted a short run, and was run out as the result of a brilliant return.by Kilner, who threw down the wicket from mid-on. The total at this stage was S3 for live. RAIN STOPS PLAY. Richardson, in the first over from Rhodes, gave an easy chance to Waddington at first slip, which he failed to bold. Macartney all the time was playing confidently but cautiously. Richardson played both Rhodes and Macaulay with superb indifference.

Shortly after tea, Macartney fell a victim to a ball which struck his leg, and was slightly faster than the preceding ones. He hit one s'.x and live fours, and gave an excellent all-round display. The sixth wicket had added thirty-one.

Richardson, when eighteen, was missed by Rhodes tit cover oil' Kilner. Richardson and Ryder carried on attractively till 5.30, when rain compelled an adjournment. Play resumed at (i.lO, but after four overs an appeal against the light was upheld. Details of the scores are: AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Collins, c Macaulay, b Robinson ... 13 Bardsley, lbw, b Kilner 21 Macartney, lbw, b Rhodes 54 Woodfull,'' b Rhodes S Andrews, run out 0 Taylor, run out 0 Richardson, not out 35 Ryder, not out 17 Extras 0 Total for six wickets 148