WICKET NOT TO BLAME

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21972, 22 December 1936, Page 11

WICKET NOT TO BLAME

AUSTRALIA'S DISPLAY "AN OCCASION FOR TEARS" NEVILLE CARDUS CRITICAL (united pkess association—copyright.) (Received December 22, 12.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 21. Neville Cardus, in the "Sun," says: "Not one of the disasters to Australia in the first innings to-day could be related to the state of the wicket—only to the state of minds of the batsmen. Bradman's strike was not fit for public view. This morning's exhibition was an occasion for tears and the veil." W. M. Woodfull, writing in the "Sun," says: "Voce's beautiful action and perfect control wrought the havoc in to-day's test. Once again he proved too hostile for our leading batsrr.en—Voce plus the thought of a rain-damaged wicket, which only occasionally proved awkward. Bradman and McCabe made poor shots at balls which should have been ignored. For nearly an hour Fingleton was on the defence gamely and without a fault and then selected the wrong ball to try to force to the front of the wicket." Australia's Misfortunes C. G. Macartney, commenting on the test, says: "Australia was dealt two unkindly blows to-day—one the early morning rain and the other the inability oif Badcock to play. Allen made a good decision in closing Engknd's innings, but I am convinced that he was deceived by the state of the wicket, as at no time was it as bad as the Australians' first innings denoted. lam certain that had he known that the pitch would roll out so well in the afternoon he would not have made Australia follow-on. Also, he seemed to think the r.itch would be worse after lunch. His bowling changes all pointed to that opinion. "Bradman made a bad error in appealing against the light with 15 minutes to go, when runs were coming so freely. The light was not nearly as bad as at Brisbane when the umpires, al the same stage, ordered the game to continue. Nevertheless. Australia is making a commendable tight, with the situation still very largely in favour of the Englishmen, lor if rain falls before play to-mcrrow a victory for them is assured. Australia must secure at least 500 runs to have any chance ol victory- _, "This is a long stern chase. The condition of the wicket to-day at the start of play gave the English bowlers a moral advantage. The steady length of Allen, Voce, and Verity was greatly aided by the early batsmen playing last wicket strokes on a slow pitch. No bowler could obtain any reasonable turn on the ball, and what there was the slow wicket rendered negative. O'Brien, Bradman, and McCabe played puerile strokes where a dead bat approach would have overcome the difficulty. The contrast was noticeable later when O'Reilly and McCormick were gathering runs in the easiest manner. O'Reilly brought tremendous relief after the earlier disappointments. Most of the time he played with comoarative ease and confidence. Fingleton, too, showed that there was no real devil in the wicket. Still, one must admire the accuracy of Voce, who thoroughly deserved his success. His control and slight variation of pace brought about the downfall of batsmen who did not concentrate sufficiently on the conditions. "Australians inglorious display should add another nail to the coffin of covered wickets. Australia perhaps deserves some touches of fortune. Bradman is still at the wickets, and while that is so, anything can happen. The Englishmen certainly cannot afford to give him too many lives." BRADMAN'S HANDLING OF ATTACK PRAISED LONDON, December 20. W. M. Woodfull, in the "News of the World," says: "Bradman made full use of his bowlers, ringing the changes with commendable judgment, but nothing would go right for him. Unless Bradman for once rises to the occasion I feel certain that an English victory is assured." INNINGS VICTORY FOR VICTORIA SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCHES (Received December 22, 12.50 a.m.) MELBOURNE, December 21. In the Sheffield Shield match with Victoria, Queensland in the second innings made 175 (T. Allen 101). L. O'B. Fleetwood-Smith took eight for 79. Victoria won by an innings and 85 runs. At Adelaide South Australia in the second innings scored 301 (G. Waite 77, C. Walker 37). H. Mudge took six for 97 and L. C. Hynes two for 63. New South Wales m the second innings has lost five wickets for 108 (A. D. McGilvray 34, Jackson 39).

C. P. MEAD RETIRED BY HAMPSHIRE

(Received December 21, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 20. Hampshire is not re-engaging C. P. Mead, who, in recognition of his services, will be paid until September and given a public subscription. Fall of Wickets—One for 1. two for 1, three for 1, four for 16, five for 28, six lor 30, seven for 31, eight for 80, nine lor 80. BOWLING ANALYSIS O. M. R. W. W. Voce ..8 1 10 4 G. O. Allen ..9 1 19 3 11. Verity ..3 0 17 2 W. R. Hammond .. 4 0 6 0 J. M. Sims ..2 0 20 0 R. W. V.- Robins .. 1 0 5 0 Second Innings O'Brien, c Allen, b Hammond .. 17 Fingleton, not out .. ..6.' Bradman, not out .. .. 57 Extras .. .. ..4

Total for one wicket .. 145 Fall of Wicket—One for 38.

BOWLING ANALYSIS O. M. R. W. Voce .. ..7 2 15 0 Allen .. ..11 2 34 0

Hammond ..4 1 10 1 Sims .. .. S 0 35 0 Verilv .. ..12 3 38 0 Robins .. ..1 0 9 0