AUSTRALIA, 288

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22005, 1 February 1937, Page 9

AUSTRALIA, 288

GOOD BEGINNING BY M.C.C, 1 SECOND DAY OF FOURTH TEST . . NEW ENGLISH OPENING PAIR l (UNITED TRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT.) (Received January 31, 7.30 p.m.) ADELAIDE, January 31. At the end of the second day's play in the fourth test match, Australia were all out for 288, the innings having lasted 335 minutes. The Marylebone Cricket Club team had 174 for the loss of two wickets. The weather was again perfect. There were still hundreds of runs in the wicket, but not for Australia's first innings. Chipperfield was the only player left this morning with any batting ability. He attempted to keep the tail-enders away from the striking end, but he failed, the last three wickets adding only 21. The Australian total of 288 was not in keeping with the perfect wicket. They should have had a much larger score on the board at the fall of the last wicket. Voce was not fielding for the English side this morning. He is receiving medical treatment for neuritis. He will be fit to play on Monday. Chipperfield gave a fine display not out. He was at the wickets for 103 minutes and hit four fours. Chances Given Early Allen caused surprise by opening with Verity and Barnett. Verity emulates the feat of Rhodes, who was last man in the 1908 series, and opened with Hobbs in 1912. Both are Yorkshire left-handers. Both the opening batsmen should have been out early. Barnett gave the easiest of caught-and-bowled chances to McCormick. The ball struck the fast bowler on the finger, necessitating attention in the dressing room. Verity gave a run-out chance. He was yards out of his crease, but O'Reilly did not field the ball cleanly. Barnett was then 13 ! and Verity 9. ' Verity was not in the least impressive and it was more through; good luck than good management! that he stayed in. At 101 minutes after the opening the partnership had yielded 53, the best for England in I the tests this season. The previous best was 29 compiled by Worthington and Barnett in the second innings of the third test. Slovenly Fielding The Australians jeopardised their chances through missed chances. A bright spot came when Bradman set an obvious trap into which Verity walked with his eyes open. With a leg trap O'Reilly sent down an inviting long hop which Verity swung into Bradman's hands. Hammond had a life when at 3 he snicked a ball from FleetwoodSmith to Chipperfield in the slips. The end of Hammond's innings came when he attempted to sweep a short rising ball from O'Reilly. McCormick took a good catch. Scoring times were very slow. At one period, Verity and Barnett took 22 minutes to add three. The fielding of the Australians was slovenly at times. Bradman and Fingleton were noticeable exceptions. The total reached 50 in 79 minutes and the century in 152 minutes. Barnett reached 50 in 148 minutes. One shot was a beautiful pull for six to square leg off FleetwoodSmith. Leyland survived an appeal for leg-before off Chipperfield when he had 14. Rain Possible An amusing interlude came an hour before stumps. Seven seagulls attempted to settle on the ground. Play was held up while the players waved their arms and threw caps at the birds. Ultimately they drove the gulls away, but their coming may be a forerunner of rain. The clouds thickened as the afternoon wore on and rain is probable during the week-end. If so, England may not be in a good position or. resumption of play. With the last use of the wicket they need at least 500 on the board to give them a bright chance. The score reached 150 in 215 minutes. Then England had only two wickets down and was in a good position. The attendance was 33,000 and the takings were approximately £3706. Scores:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings J. H. Fingleton, run out .. 10 WA. Brown, c Allen, b Fames .. 42 K." E. Rigg, c Ames, b Fames .. 20 D. G. Bradman, b Allen .. .. 26 S. J. McCabe, c Allen, b Robins .. 88 R. Gregory, lbw, b Hammond .. 23 A. G. Chipperfield, not out .. 57 W. A. Oldfield, run out .. .. 5 W. J. O'Reilly, c Leyland, b Allen 7 E. L. McCormick, c Ames, b Hammond . • .. 4 L. O'B. Fleetwood-Smith, b Fames 1 Extras .. .. .. 5 Total .. .. ..288 Bowling Analysis

ENGLAND First Innings H. Verity, c Bradman, b O'Reilly 19 C. J. Barnett, not out .. ..92 W. R. Hammond, c McCormick, b O'Reilly .. ..20 M. Leyland, not out .. .. 35 Extras .. .. ..8

O. M. R. W Voce .. 12 0 49 0 Allen .. .. 16 0 60 2 Fames .. .. 20.6 1 71 3 Hammond .. 6 0 30 2 Verity .. .. 16 4 47 0 Robins .. .. 7 . 1 26 1

Total for two wickets . 174 Bowling Analysis O. M. E. W. McCormick ..12 1 39 0 McCabe ..7 2 13 0 FleetwoodSmith 21 4 65 0 O'Reilly .. 14 5 . 18 2 Chipperfield .. 6 1 17 0 Gregory .. 3 0 14 0 Fall of wickets: One for 53; two for 108