ENGLAND 279 FOR THREE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21970, 19 December 1936, Page 15

ENGLAND 279 FOR THREE

FINE OPENING IN SECOND TEST HAMMOND, 147, NOT OUT FAST SCORING ON GOOD WICKET (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received December 18, 11.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, December 18. England made a fine start in the second test match with Australia, which began to-day on the Sydney Cricket Ground, scoring 279 for the loss of only three wickets. Hammond (147) and Ames (8) were not out at stumps. Australia tried all the regular bowlers, but none met with great success. O'Reilly kept the batsmen comparatively subdued. The teams were:— England G. O. Allen (captain) C. J. Barnett A. H. Fagg W. R. Hammond M. Leyland. L. E. G. Ames L. B. Fishlock R. W. V. Robins J. Hardstaff H. Verity J. M. Sims W. Voce [The selection of the twelfth man has not been cabled.] Australia D. G. Bradman (captain) S. J. McCabe C. L. Badcock J. H. Fingleton A. G. Chipperfield L. P. O'Brien W. J. O'Reilly W. A. Oldfield F. Ward S. L. McCormick M. W. Sievers. R. Robinson (twelfth man). Badcock Incapacitated Winning the toss for the second time in the series, England took full advantage of the first use of a shirtfront wicket. The feature of the day's play, which was favoured by ideal weather, was a magnificent century by Hammond. This player was at the wickets nearly all day and was not unduly troubled at any StclSG. Partnerships of 91 by Barnett and Hammond for the second wicket, and 129 by Hammond and Leyland for the third wicket, have placed England in a very strong position. Australia has had another misfortune. Badcock, suffering from stomach trouble and running a high temperature, was ordered to bed at the luncheon interval and it is stated that he will be unlikely to be able to play before Monday at the earliest. „-,«.» The attendance to-day was 35,107. McCormick and Sievers opened erratically, the former bumping short balls. Fagg was struck in the face in the first over and later Barnett was hit on the leg and arm. The batsmen seemed a little unnerved early, Barnett n aking three uppish shots which just fell short of the fieldsmen. Nevertheless, Barnett and Fagg took toll of 100-e deliveries, scoring mainly in front of the wicket. Fagg appeared set when he made a poor stroke at a ball outside the off stump, and was well caught in the slips. Fast Scoring Hammond started confidently, playing several perfect cover drives Barnett, at 26, was dropped in the slips off Ward, Jhipperfield juggling with the ball before dropping it. The batsmen then set about the bowling in grand fashion. Five bowlers we™ tried before lunch, quick changes being made, but with the exception of O'Reilly, who opened with three maideno, all were harshly treated. O'Reilly kept immaculate length, but the others were very loose. Ward was the most expensive, five overs from him costing 33 runs. Barnett reached 50 in tht last over before lunch, and 100 came up in 90 minutes. This was certainly fast scoring for a test, but l he bowling had been anything but good. Barnett and rlcmmond continued to call the tune after lunch, scoring all round the wicket. Hammond at 31 hit McCormick hara to .he covers when McCabe jumped and took the ball most spec + acularly, but to the crowd's dismay it was a no-ball. Hammond's Eighth Test Century In Ward's next over, however, success came to Australia, Barnett playing the ball into his wicket. He batted for 107 minutes and hit five fours. His innings was a mixture of good and bad. He interspersed nice batsmanship with fluky strokes. Leyland began quietly and with O'Reilly and Chipp_erfield operating the scoring rate slackened considerably. Only three scoring strokes were made off 11 overs from O'Reilly, but as soon as he retired runs came freely. Leyland was scoring most of his runs on the leg side, behind the wicket, but Hammond displayed a full repertoire of strokes, neglecting only the cut. Two hundred was made after 190 minutes, and then Hammond, scoring two fours and two in quick succession, reached his eighth test century. He had been batting 162 minutes and hit 11 boundaries. It was a flawless display, featured by powerful off drives. Quieter Play England had 209 for two at tea and it was a very happy position. A new ball was employed after tea, | but Hammond went along imperturbably, making the partnership worth 100 (of which he had scored 70) with two sizzling fours. Leyland meanwhile was very sedate, taking 35 minutes after the adjournment to add to his score. Hammond then also became subdued, and just when it was expected that the batsmen would go for runs they went back into their shells. Eventually McCabe was given a turn at the bowling crease and before a run was scored off him he claimed Leyland leg before. The Yorkshireman had batted 154 minutes and scored only three fours. With Ames in, 250 was raised after 280 minutes, the last 50 taking 90 minutes. 'Hammond and Ames i played quietly until stumps, when

the former had been batting 253 minutes and had scored 16 fours. Scores: — ENGLAND First Innings Fagg, c Sievers, b McCormick .. 1Barnett, b Ward -- -- »i Hammond, not out -- -- *** Leyland. ibw (new rule), b McCabe 4 - Ames, not out -.-• ° Extras .. •- •- ** Total for three wickets . - 279 Fall of wickets:—One for 27, two iot 118, three for 247. BOWLING ANALYSIS

O. M. R. W. McCormick .. 14 0 63 1 Sievers .. 13 3 26 C Ward .. 22 6 73 1 O'Reilly .. 20 9 46 0 Chippcrfield 9 0 39 0 ■f McCabe 4 1 15 X