BRIGHT BATTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 9

BRIGHT BATTING.

HAMMOND'S CENTURY.

English Cricketers In South

Australia.

SCORE 292 FOB FOUR.

ADELAIDE, October 26.

The English cricketers to-day began a match against South Australia, for which four days are allotted. ©

After a light shower in the morning the weather was dull. There were 8000 spectators. The wicket was easy and practically unaffected by the rain.

When stumps were drawn England had made 292 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Hobbs and Sutcliffe, the opening batsmen, showed respect for the South Australian bowling and played quiet but interesting cricket. They took the score to 78 before luncheon.

The rims were mostly obtained by Sutcliffe, who was the more aggressive. After a quiet and slow innings of 83 minutes Hobbs was bowled in the last over before luncheon.

England's position became worse on resumption, when Tyldesley fell for eight, through taking Grimmett cheaply, and Sutcliffe, whose battinjr has been delightfully free and masterful, played Whitfield on. He made 76 in 104 minutes.

The Englishmen's showing was, on the whole, unimpressive against the South Australian attack, which did not appear to be dangerous.

Light showers caused an adjournment for a few minutes before the tea interval. Attractive cricket was played by Hammond and Mead, whose placing was excellent. N Hammond was brilliant. Both batsmen scored freely, hitting the bowling in all directions, and picking holes in the field.

After his early success 'in dismissing Tyldesley Grimm ett was ineffective. Both men faced him confidently. Mead gave a chance off Wall at 27. Applause greeted Hammond's arrival at 80, at which he became top scorer. The partner- J ship greatly improved England's posi- j tion, 100 being added in 73 minutes. Hammond's aggression brought him to 100 in 127 minutes. The batsmen had assumed a mastery over the attack, which at best was only mediocre. After a partnership that yielded 154 Mead was dismissed by Grimmett, who took a brilliant catch off his own bowling, just before stumps were drawn. Details of the score are as follows:— ENGLAND.—First Innings. Hobbs, b Scott 20 Sutcliffe, b Whitfield 76 Tyldesley, c Hack, b Grimmett .... 8 Mead, c and b Grimmett 5S Hammond, not out 110 Leyland, not out 3 Extras 5 Total for four wickets 292 Scott took one wicket for 44, Whitfield one for 60, and Grimmett two for GO. HOPE IN HAMMOND. BOWLING EAGERLY AWAITED. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, October 26. . P. F. Warner, in the "Morning Post," regards Hammond's early success as a happy augury but is anxious to see the impression the bowlers will make. He believes Hammond will turn out a very useful bowler, who is likely to take two or three wickets in quick succession just when needed.