CROWD CHEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 61, 13 March 1929, Page 7

CROWD CHEERS.

IN FIFTH TEST. Bradman Gets A Hundred In Bright Innings. AUSTRALIA 367 FOE FOUR. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) MELBOURNE, March 12. The fourth day's play in the final Test cricket match, England v. Australia, was- witnessed to-day at Melbourne by 20.700 spectators. The receipts totalled £1515. When stumps were drawn yesterday the visitors had been dismissed in their first innings for 319 run*, and Australia had made l."» 2 for two wickets. Woodfui! iTS) and Ryder (4) were the not out men. The weather was much warmer when play was resumed, the conditions still greatly in favour of the batting side. Woodfull and Ryder opened cautiously, only five runs being added in the first 25 minutes. Even when the batsmen became more oppressive, runs were diflicult fo make owinjr to the accurate bowling and the line fielding of the Engllehineu. Ryder reached double figures after he had batted an hour in all. He then hit one from White to the on for four (all run out). However, there were fe.v efforts of that kind.

After a long period of dull play eight runs were scored off one of While"? overs. When Ryder Lad scored 23 hi' had made 1000 runs in Test matches. In the lu~t over bowled l>y Hammond before luncheon the total was taken to 'I'M), and Wondfull reached his century after having batted 322 minutes. Rydei. who had batted for 112 minutes. Went for a big hit off the hall before the lar-t in the over. He ?k:ed it and was eat-i!.-c-augbt at point. Woodfall Dissatisfied. There was a sensation fust after luncheon. In La "wood's first over Woodfun played the tall into the slips. Geary took the ball low down aDd signified that he had made the catch, but Woodfull refused to leave the crease until he was given out. Evidently he was, very dissatisfied with the decision. Woodfull had batted 325 minutes for his 102. without giving a chance, and had made three boundary hits. Bradman commenced confidently and soon reached double figures. Fairfax also was enterprising. Bradman aroused enthusiasm by scoring seven runs off one of Tate"s* overs. His strokes included a perfect straight drive to the fence. The board showed 250 after 379 minutes - play. Bradman batted very pluckily and skilfully, aiul Fairfax was solid.

Bradman Dropped. When Bradman had made 46 he drove a ball from White straight and hard io Geary at mid-on, but the fieldsman dropped the catch. Bradman reached his 50 after 71 minutes at the crease. His was a refreshing display after to much dull cricket. Both batsmen played quietly for some time after tea, and then increased the pace slightly. The third century appeared on the board after 449 minute*' play. The partnership realised a century in 11G minutes. Bradir.an then opened out to Larwood He scored a four, a two, and a three i;; one over off delightful strokes. The onlooKers now were greatly excited at the change which had" come over the situation. Bradman entered the nineties with a forceful drive to tho on-boundary off Geary. When the partnership had yielded 143 runs the previous Australian fifth wicket record, made bv Darling and Gregory on the same g:ound 3o years ago. was broken. The score was taken to 350 in 49:} mniutes. Each run was wildly checied. Great Demonstration. There was a great demonstration when Bradman reached his century i--172 minutes. It was his second century in Test matches. Fairfax, who had played an invaluable innings, reached his 50 in 173 minutes. An appeal against the lisht was rejeel-d 1 at 5.40 p.m., but a second appeal wa< I allowed at 5.47 p.m. Bradman had given a great exhibitiou of batting. He had hit seven fours Fairfax gave a sound display, and hit two fours. Details of the scores are: ENGLAND.— First Innings.

i-3 tuns, Hoinibrook three for ?0 e Fa a irf a One fO % BG ' Grimn -tt none fo"r -», Kippax none for two. AUSTRALIA—First Innings.

Hobbs, Ibw, b Ryder . 140 Jardine, c OldfieJd. b Wall "" 19 Hammond, c Fairfax, b Wall " """ 3§ Tyldesley, c Hornibrook, b Rvder"* 31 Duckworth, c Fairfax, b Hornibrook 12 Hendren, c Hornibrook, b Fairfax 93 Lcyland c Fairfax, b Oxenhani .'.'. lh Larwood, I. Wall ... 4 Geary, b Hornibrook 1 Tatc c A'Beckett, b Hornibrook"." 15 \\ nitc. not out • „ Extras .."'" ,0 ••••••• 1 ,> Total ~T7: n ,. " ol9

Woodfull, c Geary, b Larwood w> Jackson, run out ~7 Kippax, c Duckworth, b White "" ~s Ryder, c Tate, h Hammond . Z Biadrnan, not out . ijS, iairfax, not out ... .' Extras " Total for four wickets 3G -