THE FIRST TEST.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19482, 1 December 1928, Page 15

THE FIRST TEST.

ft M.C.C. Y. AUSTRALIA. UNINTERESTING PLAY. ENGLISHMEN EXERCISE CARE. (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—BV ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH —COPYRIGHT.) (Received November 30th, 5.30 p.m.) BRISBANE, November 30. The weather was ideal and the attendance at noon 20,000 for the first i Test match, England v. Australia. Ryder spun the coin at 11.30 a.m., Chapman winning the toss. Many officials and players with cameras faced j the captains. The wicket had a bleached appearance and was hard and fast. The outfield was very fast. Forty Pressmen were present, including P. G. H. Fender (England), C. G. Macartney, Arthur Mailey, Clem ! Hill, and Warwick Armstrong as special correspondents. The match began at 12.4. Hobbs, with a green-lined hat, opened with Sutcliffe, who was bareheaded. The 1 game was without incident until a few | minutes "before luncheon when, off a | short-pitched ball from Gregory, Sutcliffe was caught brilliantly by Pons- ! ford at deep leg, 85 runs taking 1 hour 25 minutes. The Australian fielding at this stage was moderate. Grimmett's bowling was collared, the wicket being unsuitable for slow bowlers. Gregory's fast balls were rising high. There was a strong field on the off for Kelleway's bowling and for Gregory's traditional slips. Many singles were the outstanding feature of the Hobbs-Sutelift'e partnership, which was unattractive because of the over-cau-tious display by these batsmen. Ironmonger's bowling kept the batsmen steady. When trying for a third run off a stroke by Mead Bradman returned the ball to Oldfield from off and Hobbs was run out, his 49 taking 1 hour 35 minutes. He hit only six fours. Jardine, wearing an Oxford University Harlequin cap, quartered in pink, buff and blue, provoked cheers. He is a graceful batsman with artistio strokes. His cap earned him a sure "rainbow"! Ironmonger, > the left-hander, was treated cautiously by the batsmen. Although of medium pace his bowling has excellent length, with a break and spiu. The field was placed on the off side in a semi-circle for him. A score of 150 took 2 hours 43 minutes. Kelleway was bowling consistently throughout, taking 11 overs for 18 runs. Between luncheon and the tea interval the game was deadly dull and the spec-' tators became impatient over, the monotonous exhibition. The batsmen were unenterprising, allowing loose balls to pass them off Grimmett. Oldfield failed badly to stump Hammond when the batsman was at' 38. The score was. three wickets for IGO at the tea adjournment. Hammond gave an easy catch to Woodfull at point shortly after tea. Hiß runs' took lhr 35min, including 2 fours. There are indications of stale' cricket, the play not being marked by one bright stroke. Jardine promised well with his opening strokes, but became seized with somnolence. Hendren, on joining Jardine, livened matters 'for a brief interval. Constant changes were made by transferring bowlers from' end' to end, not more than,six overs being bowled in succession. Hendren reached 21 while Jardine Scored 7. Summed up, the game was not specItacular, but was sound cricket. The Australian bowling was well managed with the field rather skilfullf placed. The. batsmen were careful, but were playing according to strict rules. There was no outstanding brilliance individually in the field, an even standard being shown in every department. The first 200 took 3hrs 46min. Chapman had a wonderful reception when following. Jardine, who took 2hr 3min for his 35. Gregory's bowling gave Chapman trouble. His pace occasionally was terrific, with the ball rising fast. The light was treacherous at 5.15, the shadow from the stand crossing the wicket. Two successive fours by Chapman, after Hendren had given a fine display, were loudly cheered* Subsequently both batsmen gave a fine exhibition, scoring at a good rate, and on all sides of the wicket. / The peak attendance was 25,000. Scores: — ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, run out -• 49 Sutcliffe e Ponsford, b Gregory .. 38 Mead, lbw, b Grimmett .. •' * Hammond, c Woodfull, b Gregory 44 Jardine, c Woodfull, b Ironmonger 35 itendren, not out .. " Chapman, not out >«; »• j: Extras Total for five wickets _ v- 272 Australian Preßß Association. LETTER FOR CHAPMAN. income tax demanded. ((Received November 30th, 7.10 p.m-) LONDON, November 30. The news that Chapman had won the toss was received at 1-46 a.m. The "Daily Express" simultaneously published an amusing cablegram from Ben Travers. the novelist and playwright, to the effect that the English mail, which has arrived at Brisbane, contained one solitary man.. This was from the income-tax authorities demanding an increase in bis assessment. i , , ' Mr Travers remarks that for the Home Government to badger Chapman and at the same time expect him to win the toss must be about the bright- j est thought which has ever occurred to the official mind.—Australian Presa Association. WICKET MAY NOT LAST. CLEM HILL'S COMMENT. (Received November 30&, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 29. 1 CSem Hill, in a message to the "Daily Telegraph," doubts whether th* wicket will last out for four days. He 6 ays it will be interesting to see how Ryder arranges his team. It is most important who will be at cover point and who will be slip fieldsmen when Gregory is bowling. He adds: "It will be pleasing to watch the match, which will be played strictly under M.O.C. conditions, with, no covering of the wicket after the start, and six instead of the eight balls adopted by the Australian Board. Why this was ever brought about I do not know, for I have never met a batsman, bowler, nor fieldsman who said ha favoured iL"—Aus&r&lian JBatts Aaaoejatiom*

SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. (Beceived-November 30thj 33«40 ADELAIDE, November3o. In the Sheffield Shield Hatch, Sooth Australia v. Victoria, both sides were weakened by the absence of stalwarts who are playing in the Test. Blackie was also unable to play for Victoria. The wicket and weather were good. South Australia won the toss, and batted first, making 386 for four wickets (V. Richardson 27, Harris 155, Bone 103 not out, Pellew 64). Bowling, Mullet, two for 199.—Australian Press Association.