DON BRADNAN WINS A WAR OF ATTRITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 7

DON BRADNAN WINS A WAR OF ATTRITION.

FIRST TEST DRAW. Australian Captain Seen to Stonewall. BROWN'S GREAT INNINGS. I'nited I'ress Association.—Copyright. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LOXDON, June 14 With nine wickets in hand, the Austialuu;> morning, in sunnv, warm weather, faced the task of surviving the fourth and last dav of the irst Test at Nottingham and thus forcing a draw. When stumps were drawn at C.15. quarter of an hour earlier than usual! Australia had scored 427 for six wickets, which, with their first innings score of 411, gave them a lead of 180 over England's fir>t innings of 058. When stumps were drawn 011 Monday ;he Australians, in their second innings. iad lost one wicket for 102 runs, the lot out batsmen being Brown (51) and Bradman (3). Ten thousand people were present when play was resumed. Brown and Bradman made a comfortable start in contrast to the overnight tension. Four singles came off Hammond's first over, which was followed by three consecutive maidens. Then Brown, timing perfectly, turned a ball from Fames for two. Bradman was extra careful in getting his eye in. and patted the wicketwhich was becoming more dusty but apparently was still playing well. Complaints Against Bowler. Bradman asked Sinfield, who habitually finished bowling by planting his right foot in front of the wicket, and also walked about on the wicket, to desist. It is understood this was yesterday a source of complaint. In his next over Sinfield again walked down the wicket, and Brown requested liim to move off.

Runs came slowly but easily off Verity and Sinfield. Both batsmen were eompletely at home. Wright displaced Verity at 140. Brown was beaten by the last ball of Wright's over, when his score was 77 snd the total 150, but it could hardlv be regarded as an escape. The rare spectacle of Bradman stonewalling was witnessed. He scored only 16 runs in an hour, but the crowd was silent as the unyielding fight to save the game continued. Wright looked the best of to-day's Sowlers, although Verity's steadv length pegged down the batsmen. When Fames eame on with the scorc at 162. Bradman began to open out and hit his first four in an hour and a half. The wicket, under the influence of the hot sun. was beginning to wear. The spin bowlers seemed to be getting more help, but were weary, and Fames was played easily. Brown reached 00 in 2.">0 minutes. Brown's Second Test Cencnry. The Bradman and Brown partnership was worth 100 in 125 minutes. Brown, with a four through the slips, reached ais second Test century in 270 minutes. Two rock-like hours before lunch had reduced Australia's deficit to 48 and lessened the danger of defeat to a minimum. The total of 200 came lip after iunch, and after 285 minutes' play. Repeated bowling changes were made, but the batsmen, though edging several, continued unperturbed. and at 2.55 Australia drew level with England's score. Brown, feeling that restraint could aow safely be lifted, began to hit out. He scored two consecutive fours from Verity, then, attempting another pull in the same over, was easily caught at fine He batted 320 minutes and scored 13 fours, playing a cool, conscientious and skilful innings. As three hours and a quarter remained for play, Bradman continued liis stern defence. A wearing wicket deterred Mm venturing at his normal run-getting face. McCabe, after opening quietly, hooked Wright twice to the square-leg koundary. Barnett, England's seventh bowler, was given a trial but his one over yielded McCabe was beaten by Verity's leg break and was caught in the slips. Hobbs* Record Passed. Bradman, after one of the slowest, but most praiseworthy innings of his career, reached the century in 255 minutes. He thus beat Hobbs' record of 12 centuries in Tests. Hassett was brilliantly caught by Compton, diving from silly mid-on. Badeock was most uncomfortable and was beaten by an off-break nipping from the pitch. Australia, with five wickets intact, 122 runs ahead and only 80 minutes remaining, were then out of danger and now that a draw seemed inevitable, the crowd expected more liveliness. They mildly barracked Bradman, who declined to continue until they ceased. Bradman Resents Barracking. Bradman strained a leg but his batting was not affected and he again withdrew from the wicket when barracking broke out as Verity was about to begin Bis over. Slamming Wright to the square-leg fence, Barnett raised 400 after 470 minutes. Hb 31 were"made in 60 minutes. I

Even after batting for six lyjurs Brad®an declined to take risks. This was perhaps intended as a demonstration to discourage the bowlers in future Tests, for the past hour there had been noth®g at stake. Stumps were drawn at 6.15. Apparently the captains agreed to cease play quarter of an hour early. The Australian innings lasted 505 minutes. Bradman batted for 360 ®inutes, scoring only five fours in a *hanceless innings. His prodigious defence and restraint won a war of attrition against the bowlers.

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Scores:— ENGLAND.— First Innings. Total for eight wickets, declared . . 658 AUSTRALIA. First innings Second Innings. Fingleton, c Hammond, b Edrich 40 Brown, c Paynter, b Verity ... ' jS Bradman, not out 144 McCabe, c Hammond, b Verity""' 39 Hassett, c Compton, b Verity ...2 Badcock, b Wright - Barnett, Ibw, b Sinfield v\ ai d, not out * 7 Extras ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; 26 Total for six wickets 427 BOWLING. ~ O. M. R. w. ;. e , I,t . v «2 27 104 3 Ednch 13 2 39 1 elcl 35 8 71 1 n S ht 37 8 84 1 Barnett 1 0 10 — Hammond 12 0 15 Fames 25 2 78 — Fall of Wickets.—One for 89. two for 2>o, three for 331, four for 337, five for »t>9, six for 417.

UNSPORTING ATTACK. English Critics Condemn Barracking. WHAT HAMMOND SAID. LONDON, June 14. English critics say the barracking in Australia's second innings yesterday was an unfair and unsporting attack ■upon nat sin en who were playing the right <;ame for their side. " The barracking of Fingleton and Brown showed an entire lack of appreciation of the position. Since the hatsmen could not win. it was their duty to their side not to take risk. The "Daily Telegraph" Nottingham correspondent says: "Fingleton. when asked why lie stood away from his wicket during the demonstration, said, 'I did it because Hammond suggested I should. He told me to stand away while the crowd were shouting and clapping ami wait until they stopped."' Hammond has been invited to captain England again "n the second Test. WORDS INADEQUATE. McCABE'S INNINGS PRAISED. LOXDON, June 14. "The cloak of Victor Trumper has fallen upon McCabe for the greatest innings seen anywhere at any time in the history of the game," says Neville Cardus, commenting on the Australian batsman's magnificent double century yesterday. R. E. S. Wyatt, who was captain of England in the 1934 series, says: "McCabe's performance rises above the limits of words to describe."