ON A SOFT WICKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 199, 23 August 1926, Page 7

ON A SOFT WICKET.

AUSTRALIA V. SOMERSET.

VISITORS OUT TOR 225 •

TOP SCORE BY EVERETT

(Bjf Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) S

LONDON, August 22

Tao Australiaa cricketers commenced a match against Somerset this morning at Taunton. The wicket was soft ai there had been a night-long drizzle. The start was delayed. The attendance numbered SOOO.

Collins won the toss and sent Bardsley and Taylor in to open to the bowling or Bridges and Glasgow. Rain soon fell and interrupted the game until alter luncheon.

Immediately play was resumed Glasgow completely beat Bardsley with a good length ball. The s<:ore was then -2 for one wicket.

Ponsford and Collins both went cheaply. Taylor shaped well and his timing was good. He fell to a magnificent low '.ateh Ly \\ bite at second slip. The board then read 3S for four wickets.

Hendry and Ryder we r e assertive and played attractively. RyJpr had made eight when he was badly missed by Lyon at the wicket off Glasgow.

When tiie total was 74 Hendry, who had shown signs of staying, was unlucky in pulling one from White on to his wicket. Under the influence of the sun and a breeze the wicket made a remarkable recovery. Although at no time was it a bowler's paradise it save some assistance and enabled the fast medium bowler, Bridges, and the slow bowler. White, to turn the ball effectively. Ryder pained all his runs in front of the wicket. Gresory went out to hit one from White and jrave a chance to the wicket-keeper before he had scored.

Richardson and Gregory opened out and drove in tine style. Richardson was at times uncertain. He succumbed to a catch at the wicket. He and Gregory had added 37 runs, the total then being 124.

Gregory left in the -amp over as the ! result of a sood catch at the wicket very low down. When the board showed 127 for nine wickets Kills and Everett were associated in a fine lastwirket stand. After three narrow c=capes from beinar run out they settled down. Everett drove eri>plv md made some fine leg stroke*. Ellis batted freely. He was a trifle fluky. however The partnership was most attractive. When it had yielded 03 F.verett jumped out "to hit a slow ball and was easily stumped. His score included 12 fours. Ellis had hit six fours. The innings closed for 223 runs. For Somerset Macßryan and Younir oprr.ed brichtlv. Both played Crimmett and Gregory with easp. They had made 42 when Ftiimn* were drawn. Details of the scores are: — AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Bardsley, b Glasgow 15 Taylor, c White, b Bridges 15 Ponsford. b Bridges 1 Collins, lbw, b Glasgow 1 Hendry. b White .'.. 12 Ryder" lbw. b White 34 Richardson, c Lyon. b Glasgow .... 19 Gregory, c Lyon, b Glasgow 21 Ellis, not out 42 Grimmett. b Glasgow 0 Everett, st Lyon. b White 59 Extras 6 Total 225 Bowling: Bridges took two wickets for 72 runs. Glasgow five for 7S, Hunt none for 6, White three for 63. SOMERSET.—First Innings. Macßryan, not out 21 Young, not out 21 Total for no wickets 42 — (Reuter.)