SEVEN WICKETS FOR 267

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 13

SEVEN WICKETS FOR 267

AUSTRALIA FIGHTING

FOR RUNS

FOURTH TEST OPENED ON

GOOD WICKET

M’CABE’S ENTERPRISING KNOCK

AT ADELAIDE

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (Received January 30, 12.15 a.m.) ADELAIDE, January 29. Australia lost seven wickets in making 267 on the first day of the fourth test match with England today.

The weather was perfect for the start of the match on a typical Adelaide wicket—a batsman’s paradise. Adelaide was thronged with visitors and there were 10,000 at the ground two and a half hours before play began, which is an excellent record for a Friday. It seems certain that Adelaide’s record cricket attendance figure will be broken in the next two days. The English selectors were worried about the condition of Voce and Ames. Voce was given a trial at the rear of the oval before 11 o’clock, and it was announced then that the selectors would wait until 15 minutes before the start. Ames was suffering from a recurrence of back trouble, and Voce from a chill in the back. Tlie teams were:—

ENGLAND G. O. Allen (captain) L. E. G. Ames C. J. Barnett K. C. Fames W. R. Hammond J. Hardstaff M. Leyland R. W. V. Robins H. Verity W. Voce R. E. S. Wyatt.

AUSTRALIA D. G. Bradman (captain) S. J. McCabe J. H. Fingleton W. A. Oldfield W. J. O’Reilly W. A. Brown A. G. Chipperfield L. O’B. Fleetwood-Smith R. Gregory E. L. McCormick K. E. Rigg C. L. Badcock, twelfth man,

Fingleton Run Out

Allen called tails on the toss, but the coin fell heads. With Voce, Allen, and Fames in the team, England needed only Copson to have the full fast battery. Fingleton and Brown scored with ease, but were too venturesome in going from the start for singles. A disastrous mix-up between the opening batsmen caused Fingleton’s dismissal. He backed up a straight drive by Brown off Voce and attempted to scramble back, but Voce threw down his wicket. Rigg and Brown then settled down to'play sound cricket until lunch, when 72 runs were on the board. In a hectic first over by Fames after lunch Brown and Rigg were sent back to the pavilion with only one run scored off the over. Fames deserved his success: he had - been easily the most impressive English bowler. . Bradman was more restrained than usual, leaving McCabe to do the scoring. Bradman went out to a bail from Allen which kept low and went through very fast. He attempted to hook it but got nowhere near the ball. Bradman’s first run to-day took his test aggregate to 3000 runs. Hobbs is the only other batsman to perform the feat.

Fifty from the partnership came up in 53 minutes.

A Profitable Partnership

Gregory, the 20-year-old colt, played like a veteran with McCabe. After settling down, McCabe gave a free-hitting display, scoring 10 off one over from Robins. McCabe hoisted his half century in 88 minutes. The Gregory-McCabe partnership'reached 50 in 47 minutes. So freely was McCabe scoring that the fourth 50 of the total took only 43 minutes.

With his three fast bowlers, Allen was expected to call for a new ball at 200, but Robins and Verity were bowling so well at that stage that they were allowed to continue. This policy was rewarded, as McCabe, when in sight Sf his century, hooked Robins into Allen’s hands. McCabe was at the wickets 134 minutes and hit nine fours.

> The fifth wicket fell at 206. Australia was not in a good position, considering that it was a batsman’s wicket. Gregory helped Chipperfield to add 20. Allen called for a new ball at 218 and Hammond dismissed Gregory leg before. The colt had played an excellent first. test knpck, giving his partners fine support. Chipperfield handled the fast bowling capably, scoring freely with shots all round the wicket.

Oldfield was run out; he loitered foolishly and a smart return from Leyland beat him to the wicket easily. The attendance was 34,000 and the receipts £3940. Scores;—

AUSTRALIA First Innings Fingleton. run out .. .. 10, Brown, c Allen, b Fames .. 42 Riga, c Ames, b Fames .. 20 Bradman, b Allen • • • .. 26 McCabe, c Allen, b Robins .. 88 Gregory. Ibw, b Hammond .. 23 Chipperfield, not out .. • • 45 Oldfield, run out .. •• » O’Reilly, not out • • • • “ Extras . • '• • • • 5

Total for seven wickets .. 267 Bowling—Allen took one wicket for 56 runs Voce, none for 49; Fames, two for 59- Verity, none for 47; Hammond, one for 25; Robins, one for 26.

BATSMEN CRITICISED

ENGLAND’S TRIUMPH OVER

INITIAL DISADVANTAGE

(Received January 30, 2.15 a.m.)

ADELAIDE, January 29

C. G. Macai'tney comments that losing the toss was a point against England, but the team made up for it by fine outcricket. The bowling was accurate all through, supported by splendid fielding and wicketkeeping. The visitors had the upper hand throughout. “England has taught Australia the lesson that unfavourable situations can be fought out in the field, as with the bat. With the exception of McCabe, Australia’s batting was not thrilling, while the running between the wickets was wretched. “Bradman batted in a subdued manner, which was not surprising. He had the responsibility of captaincy and went to the wickets when three good men had been dismissed for a score which had nullified the value of the toss. He is still likely to make plenty of runs, but probably not in such circumstances as those of to-day. “McCabe played in a polished fashion, and with full.sense of the responsibility devolving upon him, but he again sacrificed his wicket with his notorious hook stroke.

“Gregory received his baptism, and in spite of an intimidating packed field he played his strokes with confidence.

“Chipperfield was most aggressive, his natural game, which will enable him to rehabilitate himself. “Fames was the outstanding bowler, most hostile and difficult. Verity was accurate in length, but his direction was faulty. “Australia is not by any means in a secure position. Batting conditions were perfect, and there was no excuse for the comparatively poor score in such favourable circumstances.”

“BRADMAN OUT”

NEWS HELPS ENGLAND TO BEAR WINTER WEATHER

(Received January 30, 12.50 a.m.)

LONDON, January 29.

“We are shivering in sleet, and snow is imminent, but Bradman is out so the misery is borne cheerfully.” So the “Daily Mail” began with good tidings at dawn. A bold blue poster read, “Bradman Out.” The ev€ning’s papers followed with, “Bradman Fails Again,” “Don And Six Others Out.” “England’s Great Test Start.” The broadcasts from Australia came over excellently.