FINGLETON'S ROLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 9

FINGLETON'S ROLE.

PLAYED IT ADMIRABLY. CAPTAIN SHOWS THE WAY. (Received 10.30 a.m.) S\DX£\, this day. C. G. Macartney, in the "Sydney Morning Herald," commenting on the third cricket Test at Melbourne, says: "The situation is hopeless for England, and the issue of the match is only a matter of time. Australia set out yesterday to settle the issue. The methods employed bv Bradman and Fingleton from the* outset were cautious, and scoring was slow, nevertheless the batsinen became firiulv entrenched, and no bowler showed any signs of being able to dislodge them. "Fingleton played his role admirably. His defence was impregnable, and he was doubly careful that no mistake on his part should jeopardise Australia's chance of retaining the Ashes. "Bradman for a long time was not the hectic batsman usually associated with his name when at his best, but lie made no mistake about the ultimate result. His innings was a mixture of sound defence and punishing strokes, but it was not of the adventurous type. "For the first time in the series Australia has revealed her batting powers, and it is with satisfaction that the captain is showing the way. The English bowling and fielding were never loosie. It was rather the opposite. The fielding generally was splendid. The bowling honours went to Verity. Xo liberties could lie taken with him, and had he been blessed bv fortune he would have broken the partnership. "One admirable feature of the play was the running between the wicket* Stolen singles were delightfully judged. This judgment was of even greater value when the fine fielding and field placement are considered." A Melbourne message last night stated that the weather was mild, and that the meteorologist expected it to continue fine for the next two days. Five Centuries in six Tests. Bradman has now made six scores over 200 in Te-sts against England. Hammond, with three, is the onlv other batsman with more than one innings of 200. Bradman has made a century against England in each of his four Test appearances in Melbourne. Finglctcn ha > now made five centuries in six successive Test matches. He compiled a century in each of the la«t three Tests in South Africa last season, and two in his first three against England this season. r w son,nlcnt,5 on,nlcnt, " n " on 7"°sterday"s play the "Sydney Morning Herald's" cricket writer says: "Bradman stepped back on liis throne. He showed he is a<*ain capable of demoralising the best bowlers."

Arthur Mailey. in tlie "Daily Telegraph." states: "Tf the best team he chosen. Australia will win the fourth Test (at Adelaide) and retain the Ashes in the following Test (at Melbourne

Hanrtnond s double centuries were: 251 and 200 in successive innings at Sydney and Melbourne in 1928-29; and 231, not out, at Sydney in tlie second Test of this tour. Bradman's list of three-figure scores appears on page 15 of this issue. .