AUSTRALIA'S TASK

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 148, 25 June 1934, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S TASK

STILL REQUIRE 248. Colt Ably Fills Ponsford's Role, Bradman's Merry Life. WOODFULL FAILS AGAIN. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 24. The second cricket Test match between England and Australia was continued on Saturday at Lord's. The ground was crowded to its fullest capacity. The weather was crisp arid clear.

When stumps were drawn on Friday England had made 293 runs for five wickets, Leyland (95) and Ames (44) being not out.

Tho Englishmen batted until shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, and compiled a total of 440, both Leyland and Ames making centuries and strengthening England's position considerably. Ames gave a splendid, vigorous display. The Australians made a good start, and had lost only two wickets for 192 when stumps were drawn, but Bradman again failed to get properly going. Woodfull fell to fast bowling for the third time in the present series of Tests, and for an aggregate of 50 runs only. Record Stand at Lord's. When Leyland and Ames continued England's innings Leyland gave the onlookers an early thrill by hooking one from Wall, which was level with his eyes, for a splendid four. Chipperfield and Grimmett bowled alternately at the opposite end to Wall, and runs came at a fair rate, 300 being posted in 375 minutes. Wall was bowling at a great pace when Leyland attempted to drive one which kept rather low and scattered his wicket. He had batted 215 minutes without giving a chance and was particularly strong on the leg side. He hit one six and 14 fours. 311—0—109.

The partnership had added 129 in 155 minutes —beating the Test record of 125 for tho fifth wicket, put up by A. P. F. Chapman and G. 0. Alleu in 1930.

Ames was extremely slow and made only six in 35 minutes, but later he batted briskly. Chipperficld proved expensive, 10 runs coming off one over from him. Ames Keeps "Tail" Wagging. Geary stubbornly kept up his end while Ames began to force tho pace, and 350 appeared on the board for 425 minutes' play. Eventually Wall had Geary caught at first slip. 359—7 —9. Ames had an escape at 9(5 when he was dropped by Oldfleld. The former obtained his century in 235 minutes, and has the distinction of being the first wicket-keeper on either side to score a century in these Tests. He hit several fine boundaries.

The 400 was recorded In 400 minutes. Then Oldfleld made amends and took a neat catch on ■ the off which dismissed Ames. His 120 had taken 205 minutes and he hit 14 fours. He drove and out with fine enterprise. 409 —B—l2o.8 —120. In his last over before luncheon Wall bowled Fames, leaving England in a solid position. 410 —9 —l. McCabe dropped a high catch in the slips from Bowes, who with Verity added 30 runs for the last wicket before Grimmett got his first victim when the latter was stumped after a' vigorous knock. 440—10—29. Wall was easily the best bowler but had no luck. He should have had two more wickets. Australian Captain Unhappy. The Australians opened their first innings at 3.10 p.m. Woodfull timed badly but Brown was soon in his stride. Batting with grace and skill he seemed to appreciate Bowes' "kickers," many of which he hooked, while some went over his head. ' Woodfull was less happy, however, and when he had made 21 failed to connect with a rising ball from Bowes in attempting a drive. Tho ball went to Fames at square leg, who dropped a hard catch. Brown received a severe blow on one leg from Fames, but continued and the rate of scoring gradually improved, 50 being registered in 65 minutes. Verity slowed down. the run-getting, but Geary had no terrors and Brown punished him. Waodfull had just gained confidence in the first ■ over after tea when he played right across a ball from Bowes, which took his middle and leg stumps. 08—1—22.

Bradman and Brown Bat Brightly.

Bradman had a cordial reception on returning to His old position at first wicket down. He heralded his presence by giving a line exhibition of glancing, pulling and cover-driving Fames for four each hit, altogether making 14 off the first over. Brown cut and drove Bowes for successive fours, and the pair raised 100 in even time. Brown continued to treat Bowes with great severity and the partnership yielded 50 in 35 minut.es. The two batsmen went on at a great rate and made the bowling look secondrate. Bradman was in great form and audacious. He drove Verity three times consecutively to the boundary, but then made a false stroke at 30 and gave Verity a simple return which the bowler accepted. Bradraan had ( batted 45 minutes and hit seven fours'. 141—2—36. McCabe started discreetly. Three times in one over he pulled Bowes to the boundary. He was extremely quiet in the last half-hour, being content to keep up his wicket. Verity's good length in any case, however, would have made fast scoring impossible. Brown batted 185 minutes for his 103 and the partnership with McCabe yielded 51 in 50 minutes. Scores:— ENGLAND—First Innings. Sutcliffe, Ibw, b Chipperfield 20 Walters, c Bromley, b O'Reilly .... 82 Ilammond, c and b Chipperfield 2 Hcndren, c McCabe, l> Wall 13 Wyatt, c Oldfiold, b Chipperfield .. 33 Leyland, l> Wall 109 Ames, c Oldfield, b McCabe 120 Geary, c Chipperfield, b Wall 9 Verity, st Oldficld, b Grimmett ... 29 Fames, b Wall 1 Bowes, not out , 10 Extras 12 Total 440 Fall of Wickets.—One for 70, two for 78,.three for 99, four for 130, five for 182, six for 311, seven for 350, eight for 409, nine for 410. BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Mdns. Runs. Wkts. Wall 49 7 108 4 Chipperficld . 34 10 91 3 McCabe 18 3 38 1 O'Reilly .... 38 15 70 1 Grimmett .. 53.3 13 102 1 Darling 0 2 19 0 AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Woodfull, b Bowes 22 Brown, not out 103 Bradman, c and b Verity 30 McCabe, not out 24 Extras 7 Total for two wickets 192 Fall of Wickets.—One for CB, two for 141.

LATEST AVERAGES. AMES AND LARWOOD LEADERS. (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 24. The English cricket averages for the season are:— BATTING. Runs. Average. Ames 1205 86.07 Pataudi 945 78.75 Mead 1034 73.85 Tyldesley 1152 07.76 Ashdown 1272 66.94 Gregory ....'..,.. 1255 62.75 Leyland (13th) .. 746 57.38 Wyatt (14th) 619 50.27 Woolley (20th) .. 1023 51.15 Hendren (23rd) . 1053 50.14 Walters (25th) .. 825 48.52 BOWLING. Wkts. Average. Larwood 45 14.72 Verity* 54 .15.33 Geary 40 16.10 Paine 62 16.77 Smailes* 43 17.18 . Tate 54 18.87 Mitchell (10th) .. 71 19.63 Bowes (11th)* .. 47 20.00 Voce (13th) 53 20.47 Freeman (14th) . 91 • ' 20.48 Gover (26th) 59 23.59 "Yorkshire.