IN ACTION AGAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 139, 14 June 1934, Page 7

IN ACTION AGAIN.

AUSTRALIA MAKES 284. Chipperfield and Bradman Top At Northampton. DON IS UNABLE TO RUN. iCnited P.A.-Electric Telegraph— Copyright) (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 13. The Australian cricketers to-day began a three clays' match against Northamptonshire at Northampton. The weather was fine and the wicket in good order. The county's team comprised: A. W. Snowden, A. H. Bakowell, B. Bellamy, J. E. Tiiiims, Grimshaw, A. L. Cox, A. D. Matthews, E. F. Towell, W. C. Brown (captain), R. J. Partridge and T. A. Pitt.. Woodfull, McCabe, Grimmett, and Wall stood out of the Australian team which Bradman captained. Oldfield. was twelfth man. Bradman won the toss and Ponsford and Brown opened for the visitors. Australia faced the weakest county team in England. It was weakened more by the absence of Clark and Jupp, who are indisposed. Matthews and Pitt, medium-pace bowlers, opened the attack.

Ponsford and Bvown scored 50 in 55 minutes. Other bowlers tried were Towell, a medium-pace left-hander, and Partridge, slow medium. Ponsford scored twice as fast as Brown, who batted in a stylish and graceful manner. A change came over the game just before luncheon, when two wickets fell in quick succession. Immediately on resumption Brown was' bowled in attempting a straight drive. He batted for 85 minutes and his innings was chanceless. Bromley and Kippax failed to stay; but Bradman—who is Buffering from a strained thigh muscle—and Chipperfleld played conldently and scored freely. Bradman winced with pain whenever ho transferred his weight to the right foot, and consequently had to concentrate principally on deflecting strokes. With Chipperfleld he got Australia out of difficulties. The pair added 112 before Chipperfleld mistimed a drive and was caught at midoff. His was an excellent forcing knock, including nine fours. Bradman was caught at short-leg off a feeble stroke. He batted for 130 minutes, a good showing in the circumstances, although he got only four boundaries. Australia' 3 innings ended for 284, the lowest total of the tour, after lasting 205 minutes. Bradman, still lame, fielded in the gully, when Northants went to the batting crease. Bakewell and Snowden added 35, brightly, before Fleetwood-Smith broke the partnership in the last over of the day. Biadman's injury was due to tripping on a boundary rope at Trent Bridge, in his anxiety to leave the ground at the end of the Test. He strained a ligament. Woodfull was aware of Bradman's injury, but the latter assured the captain he would be fit enough to play. Brown acted as runner for Bradman. Scores:— AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Ponsford, lbw, b Pitt 56 Brown, b Partridge 30 Darling, b Bakewell 3 Kippax, lbw, b Matthews 12 Bromley, c Bakewell, b Partridge .. 5 Bradman, c Bakewell, b Matthews . 65 Chipperfleld, c Pitt, b Partridge 71 Barnett, c Partridge, b Matthews .. 7 O'Reilly, not out 13 Ebeling, b Matthews 14 Fleetwood-Smith, run out 0 Extras 8 Total 284 Bowling: Matthews took four wickets for 71 runs, Partridge three for 67, Bakewell one for 38, Pitt one for 53, Cox none for 20, Towell none for 27. NORTHANTS.—First Innings. Bakewell, c and b Fleetwood-Smith 20 Snowden, not out 9 Extras 6 Total for one wicket 35 After concluding the current match against Northants, the Australians will meet the Gentlemen of England, at Lord's, and then, on June 22, will commence the second Test match, at LoM's 'cricket ground, on which England has not won a Test since 1596. Northants last season stood thirteenth out of 17 in the county championship, and are further weakened by the absence of their star fast bowler, E. W. Clark. In 1930, Northants had the distinction of dismissing Australia for 93, the lowest score made by them on the tour, but in the second innings Australia made amends by putting on 405 for eight, and the match was drawn. The Northampton ground is not a lucky one for the Australians, for once again they were out for their lowest total to date, even against a team weakened by the absence of Clark and Jupp.