THE SECOND CRICKET TEST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 71, 17 December 1928, Page 11

THE SECOND CRICKET TEST

AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 253 OLDFIELD’S BRILLIANT INNINGS Although they did better than in their first innings in. the Brisbane Test, the Australians have been dismissed in their first innings in the second Test for a comparatively poor score. The side went for 253, the only high-lights being Woodfull’s 68 and Oldfield’s 41 not out, which is described as a brilliant and gritty display. England opened their first innings, and at stumps had lost two wickets for 113. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

(Rec, December 16, 5.5 p.m.) Sydney, December 16. For the continuation of the cricket Test yesterday, the weather was warm and the wicket in splendid order. The attendance was 58,464 and the takings £6200. These figures are records for one day in any Test. Australia finished their innings and were all out for 253. Ironmonger played stubbornly for three overs, scoring a single. He was then taken left hand by Duckworth. The innings lasted five hours. Oldfield batted for 102 minutes. He hit three fours and gave a.brilliant gritty display. England’s First Innings. England opened with Hobbs and Sutcliffe to the bowling of Nothling and Grimmett. The batsmen took no risks, generally just tapping the balls back and occasionally stealing singles. Grimmett beat each batsman with balls slower than usual, but failed to hit the wicket. Ironmonger and Blackie were tried, but the batsmen were together till the lunch ■ adjournment, when the score was Sutcliffe 11, Hobbs 25—none for 36. .. . ' On resuming Hobbs, added a single, then Sutcliffe snicked Ironmonger to .Hendry, who took the catch in the slips. The Yorkshireraan played a chanceless innings, though it was not bright cricket. The light had now become dull, and a storm was threatening when .Hammond came in. He had scored 12 and Hobbs 36 when in a bad light and a drizzle play was.adjourned at 2.50 p.m. Thousands now left the packed hill, those remaining covering themselves with newspapers. Though the conditions continued bad the crowd yelled for a restart, sections indulging in "counting out.” Some onlookers scaled the fence, but were removed by police or officials. During a lull M. A. Noble, on behalf of the citizens presented Hobbs with a boomerang and a cheque for £46 in honour of his forty-sixth birthday. Accompanied by Noble he walked round the ground, receiving a great ovation. A small boy jumped the fence, Hobbs autographing his bat amid cheers. Hobbs Goes. After two inspections by the umpires play was resumed following a two hours’ stoppage.. Hobbs soon went: he reached forward to a ball from Grimmett just touched it and was splendidly caught by Oldfield. He batted for 105 minutes and hit two 4’s. He did not show any enterprise, but was thoroughly sound except ou a few occasions when facing Grimmett. Neither Hammond nor Jardine was very comfortable against the slow bowler, but both were together till 5.55. when after two appeals regarding the light stumps were drawn. All the Australian bowlers showed good form, with Grimmett, whose wicket cost 52 runs, the most trouble some. The fielding was sound. Richardson and Hendry being brilliant. Oldfield kept wickets magnificently. The following are the scores :— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. . Richardson, b. Larwood 27 Woodfull, 1.b.w., b. Geary 68 Kippax, I). Geary 9 Ponsford, retired hurt 5 Hendry, b. Geary ................ '.37 Ryder, 1.b.w., b. Geary ........... 25 Nothling, b. Larwood :. 8 Oldfield, not out 41 Grimmett, run out 9 Blackie, b. Geary 8 Ironmonger, c. Duckworth, b. Larwood ■ 1 Extras 15 Total 253 Fall of Wickets.—One for 51, two for 65. three for 152, four for 153. five for 171, six for 192, seven for 222, eight for 251, nine for 253.' Bowling Analysis.—Larwood took three wickets for 77 runs: Tate, none for 29: Geary, live for 35: White, none for 79; Hammond, none for 18. ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c. Oldfield, b. Grimmett .. 40 Sutcliffe, c. Hendry, b. Ironmonger 11 Hammond, not out • 33 Jardine, not out 23 Extras Total for two wickets 113 Fall of Wickets.—One for 37, two for 65.

WHAT THE EXPERTS THINK PONSFORD’S INJURY REGRETTED (Australian Press Association.) (Rec. December 16, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 15. Next to the King’s illness the test match is given most prominence in the Press. Due regard is given to Ponsford’s ill-luck. Mr. P. F. Warner heads his article in the “Morning Post” with Gordon's verse—"No game ever yet was . worth a rap.” pointing out that he came across the lines before the test opened, little dreaming that an accident would leave Australia without her “scoring machine.” The goddess of Chance seems at the moment to be working against Australia. "Believing as many do that this is one of the best teams ever sent to Australia,” continues Warner, “we would feign meet, our opponents at tlieir full strength; The first day’s play put England in a strong position if rain does not-fall.” Continuing, Warner says many hard things have been said about the “barracker.’’-but ■as a fact he is a keen, and impartial judge of the game if occasionally overdemonstrative. This is due to an excess of zeal' He does not think he would like it on English grounds, but in Rome they must accept Roman customs, In any case the barracker loves cricket His . applause was nowise confined to his own side. So far it looks as if many people will have to revise their opinion of the English bowling. Luck, says the Hon. Lionel Tennyson in the “Daily Chronicle,” is still against Australia. The loss of Ponsford. one of the most brilliant bats in the world, is irreparable. He thoroughly agrees with Armstrong that Australia is facing certain defeat by sticking to her veterans. “The Australian selectors should have taken tlieir courage in botli hands and liaveu. chosen some youngsters such as Bradman and a’Beckett. Four selectors is au unfortunate number, as it is highly probable they were unable to agree on the claims of certain youngsters and bail been forced to compromise.” He pays a glowing tribute to Woodfull, and says that to bat on unperturbed when one’s colleagues' wickets are falling is tiie hardest thing to do in cricket. He declared that responsibility had revealed great gifts in Chapman, who is recognised on all sides as rapidly become one of Eng land’s finest captains. F. E. Woolley, in the “Daily Chronicle.” says the injury to Ponsford is a most severe handicap to Australia. It. is not putting his ability too high to say that lie might have performed as Hendren did at Brisbane. Chapman’s manner of using the bowling had much to do with the low scoring. No doubt the Australians suffered from overanxiety. They should have played their natural game. Provided the weather holds he anticipates England will secure a lead of 200 iii the first innings.

Clem Hill, cabling to the "Daily Telegraph,” says the Australians have shown no real fight thus far. Larwood seems to have got some players frightened. He regarded Australia’s chances as good when Ryder won the toss, but though. everything favoured them the batsmen failed miserably. Well as Geary bowled,- he believes Larwood ami White were mainly responsible for Australia’s failure. The “Daily Express.” in an editorial, deplores the casualties because England wants to meet Australia. at her best. The Kippax Incident. A. C. Maclaren, in a “Sunday Times” article entitled “Test Play at Its Worst,” “Men Who Bat Like Juniors,” says that the Australian selectors should have kept to a sane policy. “Including average bowlers and batsmen is suicidal,” says Maclaren. “I estimate that Macartney would outstand this weak eleven. The Brisbane Test destroyed Australian confidence— Woodfull alone can possess confidence. One is justified in expressing astonishment that Macartney and Andrews are put aside for second-raters.” He denounces Tate's bowling failure. “It is time it was realised that Tate is in his thirty-fourth year,- aud apart from that his performances leave much to be desired. I reckon Tate is far likelier to play the earlier batsmen in than

out.” He expresses the opinion that Bettington is Australia’s best bowler. Referring to the Kippax incident, be says that after tiie umpire said “Not out,” their men had no right to say one more word. Kippax should have continued his iuuings.