TEST CRICKET.

Auckland Star, 2 January 1931, Page 7

TEST CRICKET.

S. AFRICAN RECORD. Sieclle and Mitchell Both Get Centuries. 280 FOR ONE WICKET. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11 a.m.) CAPETOWN, January 1. Deane won the toss and South Africa batted first in the second Test between England and South Africa. Twelve thousand people were present and the Avicket was easy. • Siedle and Mitchell were comfortable from the outset and gradually obtained the mastery of the bowling without taking undue risks. The batsmen, especially Siedle, went for the bowling vigorously and received an ovation when they sjurpassed the record of the South African first wicket partnership of 171, established in the first Test at Birmingham in 1929 by Catterall and Mitchell. Displaying a brilliant repertoire of strokes, Siedle reached his century in 208 minutes. Mitchell, on the contrary, fraquently lapsed'into a,state of lethargy, taking 280 minutes for his hundred. The fielding was of the highest standard. The score at stumps was 280 for one wicket. Siedle hit 13 fours and Mitchell eight. South Africa is in a strong position as the- wicket is crumbling. Much, therefore; depends whether South' Africa bats all to-morrow, letting England bat the last two days on a difficult wicket. . The English team is Wyatt, Leyland, Hammond, Hendren, TurnbuU, Chapman, White, Tate, Voce, Duckworth and Peebles. ■■ The South African team is Deane, Nupen, Mitchell, Taylor, Catterall, Siedle, Cameron, Vincent, McMiliWi, Bell, Balask'as. Scores: — SOUTH AFRICA.—First Innings. Siedle, c Chapman, b White 141 Mitchell, not out ••■ 11* Nupen, not out .-.-.»• •: « Extras .-..-.>...■ » Total for one' wicket 280 323 FX)R FOUR. Australia Score Well Against West Indies. PONSFORD'S TINE INNINGS. SYDNEY, January 1Ideal cricketing weather prevailed for the second Test match against the West Indies cricketers to-day. About 10,000 people were present when Woodfull won the toss for Australia and elected to bat. The West Indies team is:—Grant, Birkett, Roach, Bartlett, Constantino, Headley, Martin, Scott, Francis, Barrow, Griffith.. . . • . ~..'. . The Australian team is:—Ponsford, Jackson, Bradman, Kippax, McCabe, Woodfull, Fairfax, Oldfiekl, Grimmett, Hurwood,' Ironmonger. A quarter of an hour's play saw only three runs on the .board. Then Jackson, after earning applause for several artistic glances, was brilliantly caught in the slips. The score was 12. Bradman and Ponsford both had narrow escapes from being run out. The visitors' fielding was very keen. Bradman scored the first four of the day when he drove Constantino to leg. , Then, facing the same bowler, Bradman survived a confident appeal (for leg before wicket. « Two boundaries by Bradman and one by Ponsford raised the- score to 52 in 62 minutes. Thrill followed thrill, for after being missed in the slips Bradman was caught at the wicket. Kippax hit two from the first ball he received. In the next over the fieldsmen appealed for caught and bowled against Kippax. The captain, Grant, ran up to congratulate the bowjer, Francis, but the umpire said not out. The visitors. appeared dumbfounded. The sensations continued after luncheon Kippax being brilliantly caught at mid-on in the first over, and Ponsford snicking one dangerously through the slips to the fence} and surviving an appeal for leg before wicket. The score reached 100 after 136 minutes. ,Ponsj ford's 50 took him 145 minutes.

McCabe and Pons ford added 71 by slow cricket before the former fell a victim to Scott. Four wickets were down for 140. Thunderous applause greeted Woodfull, Australia'?; victorious Test captain. After the tea adjournment the scoring' livened somewhat, the total of 200 appearing in 201 minutes.

Ponsford reached, his century at the same time, and the next item of interest was the partnership of 100, made in SI minutes. With the howlers tiring the 'batsmen hit out. Woodfull reached 50 in 114 minutes and Ponsford 150 in 271 minutes. J3oth wero 1 not N out when stumps < were drawn, Ponsford having played a sterling innings, which in l eluded 12 fours.

Loud speakers were installed round the- ground and music was broadcast during the day from the same source.

It is announced that Bartlett, who left the field after catching Kippax, had broken a finger, and would take no further part in the match. The attendance at the close was 22,058, and the takings £1914. Details of the score are as follow: — AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Ponsford, not out , 17 i Jackson, c Francis, b Griffith .... 8 c Barrow, b Francis .... 25 .Kippax, c Bartlett, b Griffith .... 10 McCabe, Ibw, b Scott 31 Woodfull, not out ....., : , 58 Extras • •......;«,.;..., 17 Total for four wlcket3 ...... 323