HIGH SCORING.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 52, 2 March 1929, Page 9

HIGH SCORING.

MATCH AT MELBOURNE Victorians' Brilliant Start Against England. 346 RUNS FOE FOUR. (Australian and K.Z. P r ess Association.) MELBOURNE, March 1. The English cricketers to-day commenced a four-days' match at Melbourne against Victoria. The weather was perfect and the wicket in excellent condition. Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Duckworth and White were omitted from the English team, and Mead was 12th man. The Victorian captain. Ryder, won the toss, and sent his side in to bat. The opening stages of the game were very dull. Only seven runs were scored in 22 minutes. Then Onyons was splendidly caught off Larwood behind the stumps by Ames, who was standing back. Hendry had made IS when he stepped out to a ball from Freeman and was easily stumped. Ryder was given a fine reception—a great tribute to his Test match performances. The half-century was reached in 6S minutes. Chapman was frequently prominent for his splendid fielding at short leg. Ryder was very enterprising after lunch, adding 20 in 16 minutes with grand drives and pulls. Woodfull then opened out. The first century appeared on the board after llfi minutes' play. Ames injured one of his fingers and had to retire. -Tardine took the gloves and Mead fielded. Woodfull readied his M) after two hours at the wicket*. Tlyder made his 50 In 69 minutes. One run later he was badly missed off Freeman by Larwood at mid-oji. In the same over Ryder hit one for six and was then out to a left-handed catch by Mead (substitute) near the boundary. The Victorian captain had batted 72 minutes for his 60, which included one six and six fours. After Ryder's departure Darling, a young left-handed batsman, played neatly and made some vigorous strokes. Woodfull was content to play quietly. After the tea interval Darline batted very confidently. He reached his 50 in 79 minutes. Woodfull shortly afterwards reached his century after having batted solidly for 222 minutes. There was then some very free batting, 150 being added in 100 minutes. | Darling played brilliantly and mad" the bowling look cheap. ' The third century was brought up in 24!J minutes. Seventeen runs were scored off one of Leyland's overs. When Woodfull had made 140 hia was the highest score for Victoria in a. game against England. The previous record by MacAllister had stood for 25 years. Darling gave a great display. He batted 116 minutes, and hit eight fours. The partnership realised 181 runs. A'Beckett was confident, but Woodfull was very tired by this time. He had batted all day, and hit 13 fours. The attendance totalled 6000, and the receipts £686. Details of the scores are:— VICTORIA.—First Innings. Woodfull, not out 158 Onyons, c Ames, b Larwood 1 Hendry, st Ames, b Freeman 19 Ryder, c substitute, b Freeman .. 60 Darling, b Tate g7 A'Beckett, not out 14 Extras 7 Total for four wickets 346

•OUR BOWLING TROUNCED.'

DOUBTS IN LONDON. (Australian and Jf.Z. Press Association.) (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, March 1. "Our Bowling Trounced," was the nausual news poster which gripped Londoners this morning and intensified a fear that Australia next week would baulk England s bold bid to have a clean sweep in the Tests. Critics emphasise Darling's performance as another justification of Australia s search for competent youngster*.