FIGHTING FINISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 33, 8 February 1929, Page 7

FIGHTING FINISH.

IN FOURTH TEST.

Australia Needs 89 Runs With

Four Wickets Left.

SEVENTH DAY OF PLAY

(Australian and X.Z. Press Association.)

ADELAIDE, February 7. The fourth Test cricket match. England v. Australia, was continued to-day at the Adelaide Oval. At the close of play Australia required SO runs to win with four wickets still in hand. The weather was hot and opprc**'.\e and the wicket showed signs of crumbling. There was a nasty patch at on.> end. When stumps were drawn ve«tevdav England had made 334 in their fir*'. innings and 3s:; j n their second, an aggregate of 717. Australia had scored 3(39 in their first venture and. requiring 349 to win, had made 24 for no wickets in their second.

Australia's chances of winning seemed fairly bright when Woodfull "(7) and Jackson (16), the not out men. resumed j their innings this morning. The English i captain. Chapman, tried 'White at both lends and the left-handed bowler coraj manded respect all the time. The opening pair played very slow cricket, the i wicket apparently causing them concern, j They added 50 in S3 minutes by correct, j but cautious, play. The score had reached 65 when Australia's first wicket fell. Jackson -nicked a ball from Geary and it wa* his undoing. The young New South Wales batsman had again shaped well, having made his 3ii in" 102 minutes. Position Again Insecure. WoodfuH and Hendry followed Jack son back to the pavilion in quick succession. Both fell to "White. Australia's position was again insecure. White then had two wickets for 26 to his credit and was causing the most trouble of all the bowlers.

Australia was far from beaten, however. Ryder and Kippax played an attractive and productive partnership. They knocked White off his length and experienced no trouble with the other bowlers. Ryder was particularlv forceful. He made 50 in 83 minutes, which was excellent scoring in the circumstances. The total was 150 after 200 minutes' play. I Chapman tried all his bowlers at each end, but it made no difference to the batsmen, whose display was a great one. Just before tea the partnership had yielded 100 in 95 minutes and the third 50 had taken 42 minutes to compile. At tea time Australia still wanted 170 to win. When Kippax and Ryder came out after tea Australia's position was a bright one and victory seemed well :r. sight. But there was a change to come. Kippax was the victim of one of the tricks of the wicket. A bail from White shot up suddenly and went from his bat to Hendren who held the catch. Australia's Deficit 138. Kippax had batted 136 minutes and: had shown good form. Australia'* J deficit was then 138. Ryder and Kippax i had added 137 in 129 minutes, excellent i scoring considering the circumstances j under which the pair batted. i White was coming into his own now.! He took advantage of the worn parts I of the pitch at each end. |

Only 13 more runs had been scored when Ryder also fell a victim to 'White who took a pood catch off his own bowling. Ryder only wanted 13 for his century. He had batted 152 minutes and had hit five fours. Everybody admired his wonderful courage* and forceful hitting. He demonstrated that he is still - tower of strength to Australian cricket.

A'Beckett and Bradman batted j brightly, adding 34 runs, but the former eventually fell to White, who then had five wickets for 87 to his credit. Details of the scores are: — ENGLAND. First innings 334 Second innings 3g3 AUSTRALIA. Fir>t innings 369 Second Innings. Wood full, c Geary, b White .50 Jackson, c Duckworth, b Gearv ... 30 Hendry, c Tate, b "White ."..... 5 Kippax, c Hendren, b White- ...... 51 Ryder, c and b White ~ §7 Bradman. not out \q A'Beckett. c Hammond, b White V. 2i Oxenham. not out 2 Extras _ 10 Total for six wickets 260 The =eores at the fall of the wicket* were: One for ii.">. two for 71, three for 74. four for 211. five for 224, six for 258.