THIRD TEST MATCH

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 83, 2 January 1929, Page 9

THIRD TEST MATCH

AUSTRALIANS SCORE 397 ENGLAND LOSES FOUR WICKETS FOR 312 SPLENDID BATTING DISPLAY BY HAMMOND Both teams are fighting grimly in the third Test match. On Monday the scoring was painfully slow. By the end of the day the Australians were all out for 397 and England had lost one wicket for 47. Yesterday the Englishmen commenced very carefully, and the rate of scoring was slow until well on in the day, when some lusty hitting was indulged in. When stumps were drawn the Englishmen had scored 312 for four wickets, Hammond being not out with' 1(59 to his credit. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. Copyright.

(Rec. January 1, 5.5 p.m.) Melbourne, December 31, In perfect weather, with a good wicket, Ryder took strike to Tate. Bradman showed up, late cutting' Larwood for 4. Ryder added a single, when be made a poor stroke and was caught in the slips by Hendren off late, lhe captain had played a capital hand. He batted for 222 minutes. His score included one 6 and six. .4’s, . Oldfield was uncomfortable from the start. He played the first ball from Geary on. Bradman was quietened by the accurate bowling of Tate, but he managed several beautiful leg glances. Bradman reached 50 in 110 minutes. White and Geary in combination again kept the scoring down. White had seven overs for one run. A’Beckett, who showed enterprise early, quietened considerably and a dull period followed. White was the centre of attraction for his brilliant fielding of hot drives off his own bowling. Prior to luncheon nine runs took twenty minutes. Chapman shone out for clever saves. Bradman Bowled. There were battle tactics between the bowlers and the young batsmen. Larwood was used sparingly. Hammond was tried with the breeze. Bradman drove his first ball for 4, but the bowler’s revenge came with the next ball, which clean bowled Bradman, who had scored 79 runs iu 190 minutes. He contributed a solid, invaluable score, with occasional intervals of brilliant batting. Duckworth was counted out by a section of the crowd for an appeal against A’Beckett. Hendren earned applause by tricking the batsmen out of a run on the pretext of fielding the ball prior to reaching it. A’Beckett was scoring slowly, when he fell into a trap to a slow ball from White, the batsman being caught by Duckworth. He scored 41 runs in 140 minutes. Chapman used White continuously, his figures being excellent, 27 overs for 20 runs. He bowled a wonderful length. The Englishmen were feeling the day Australia’s hopes of reaching 400 were' diminished when Duckworth caught Grimmett off Geary the first ball after tea. Five minutes afterwards Oxenham was clean bowled by a beautiful ball from Geary. Blackie. who shifted uneasily facing Larwood, carried his bat for two. Australia had batted for 4 hours 97 minutes. The Englishmen’s fielding throughout was brilliant and clean. Englishmen At the Wickets. Hobbs and Sutcliffe onened to a’Beckett at 4.45 p.m. Hobbs opened with leg glances, briskly going to 10 for Sutcliffe’s 2. Woodfull took a brilliant catch from Sutcliffe, but off a no-mall. A’Beckett, who was in great form, got many lbw ones, through. Oldfield missed a difficult chance. The Australian fielding was not clean, and the throwing in was indifferent. The applause was terrifice when Oldfield cleverly caught Hobbs off a’Beckett. Grimmett was proving himself by keeping Sutcliffe and Hammond quiet. The Australian bowling was changed frequently, Hendry and Oxenham relieving. Oxenham was well on his length, and the batsmen were cautious. They appeared to be playing out time. A strong appeal for leg-before against Sutcliffe at 12, off Grimmett, was disallowed. Bradman was bright in the outfield. The scoring was slow. Blackie bowled the last over. The attendance was 62,200, and the gate receipts £5'900. THIRD DAY’S PLAY (Rec. January .1; J 1.25 p.m'.) Melbourne, January 1. ' It was a sultry day with a northerly wind for the resumption of the Test cricket match. The wicket was wearing well. Grimmett opened to, Sutcliffe with a maiden' A’Beckett, who was sending down pacy deliveries with the wind, kept the batsmen quiet. The English batsmen were in deadly.earnest, taking no risks. Hammond after ten minutes equalled Sutcliffe’s score and then forged ahead. Sutcliffe was very cautious. Oldfield was perfect in keeping wickets, standing in to a’Beckett. Sutcliffe batted 100 minutes for 23. Grimmett bad a good length and bowled 8 overs for 17. runs. Oxenham relieved a’Beckett after forty minutes and commenced with a maiden, getting au occasional fast one through. The batsmen missed no short runs and got 2 for an overthrow by the usually reliable Richardson. Slow Batting. The batting was slow, 100 taking 1-10 minutes. Hammond got his first boundary, driving Blackie. Sutcliffe livened up, knocking 16 off two overs. Blackie and Oxenham quietened rhe batsmen, bowling 8 overs for 10 runs prior to lunch. At the luncheon adjournment rhe weather was overcast and the wicket was covered, but no rain fell. Sutcliffe scored a single off a’Beckett and brought up 100 for the partnership in 130 minutes. Oldfield was brilliant behind the wickets. Richardson and Bradman were frequently applauded for magnificent stops. In Blackle’s tenth over, with a turning-in from the off he bowled Sutcliffe, who played half-cock. Sutcliffe’s 58 took 104 minutes. and included three 4’s. Blackie had Chapman in trouble early. More Sparkling Play. The cricket at this stage was lively, short runs and smart fielding putting a sparkle into the game. Hendry was tried on Chapman, who lifted him for 4, and likewise the next ball from Blackie. Two hundred came up for

230 minutes’ play. Blackie’s next ball bowled Chapman for 24, for 35 minutes' plav. Blackie t was patient and confident, doing excellently. Of 16 overs he bowled three maidens aud took two wickets for 49 funs. The Australian fielding was par excellence. The players were greatly heartened. . Hendry commenced poorly. He gave a chance at three and nearly played Blackie on at five. Then he. recovered and put through two brilliant leg glances. Hammond at 99 took 40 minutes to top the century. He then pulled Oxenham for 3. His tally had taken 223 minutes, including six , 4’s. He played stubbornly and cbancelessly. At the tea adjournment the score read three wickets for 215. Hammond dealt briskly with a’Beckett after tea, driving him for two 4’s. It was tlie bowlers most expensive over. The batsmen looked like rattling up a big tally when the unexpected happened. A half pitcher from Hendry was lifted strongly by Hendren, and a’Beckett, at forward leg, took a splendid hot catch, the score reading four for 238. Lusty Hitting. Jardine joined Hammond. Early he was very slow. With Grimmett bowling the field closed in, but the effort was of no account. The total of 250 was brought up in 295 minutes. Hammond now hit out with powerful drives, bringing three successsive 4’s off Grimmett. Jardine, who played in, treated Oxenham likewise. It was lusty hitting. Twenty were scored in ten minutes. It was a treat from the dull morning period. Blackie, who was callin, quietened Jardine. Hammond, with 147, was batting like a champion, defying all the bowling, favouring drives and late cuts, and placing through the field brilliantly. Woodfull fielded many hot drives off Hammond. Ryder bowled at 5.15. Hammond, cutting him for two, notched his 150 in 283 minutes. He was still batting faultlessly. Fresh southerly conditions prevailed, and made the weather pleasant. The attendance was 31,400, and the gate receipts £2653. A’Beckett relieved Ryder. Hammond, hitting out, put 300 up in 345 minutes. Hammond got a new bat at 100. Hammond has batted 327 minutes. The innings has lasted 363. The following are the scores:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Woodfull, c. Jardine, b. Tate .... 7 Richardson, c. Duckworth, b. Larwood 3 Hendry, c. Jardine, b. Larwood .... 23 Kippax, c. Jardine, b. Larwood .. 100 Ryder, e. Hendren, b. Tate 112 Bradman, b. Hammond <9 Oldfield, b. Geary t 3 A’Beckett, c. Duckworth, b. V\ hite 41 Oxenham, b. Geary 15 Grimmett, c. Duckworth, b. Geary . 5 Blacb'e, not out - Extras Total 397

. ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c. Oldfield, b. a’Beckett .... 20 Sutcliffe, b. Blackie ;'8 Chapman, b. Blackie Hendren, c. a’Beckett, b,. Hendry .. 10 Hammond, not out • • • • Jardine, not out -1 Extra L Total for four wickets 312 PRESS COMMENTS ON PLAY A GRIM RATTLE (Australian Press Association.) London, December 30. “Australia Hits Out,”: "England's Bowling Mastered,” are typical headings in the newspapers, which pay full tribute to the dramatic Ryder-Kippax stand. The "Observer” says that the third Test is evidently going to be worthy of its critical importance. Australia’s 270 for four, wickets creates a solid position, both arithmetically and morally. The match might easily bccome one of memorable scores and duration. Both sides should now' be in good nerve. Both have batsmen whose weapons have not -yet “smoked with bloody execution.” The “Evening Standard” says: “it was a tight for the Ashes deadly and earnest. The figures show how dourly Australia will fight every. step. Ryder gave the critics the retort courteous with dll. Kippax’s stolid work drove home the lesson that these Australians, when fortune is reasonably kind, are worthy toemen of 'Chapman's strong eleven. Hie “Standard” has a cartoon headed ' Australia Going, Going—rßut Not Neaily Gone,” depicting a cricketer-auctioneer disposing of a "Genuine Woodfull tor 7, a "Very Rare Richardson’” tor o, a ‘ Fine Hendry” for 23, and finally a 1 effect Kippax” for 100. “Now we are doing some business.” Colonel Philip Trevor, in the course of a wireless talk on Test history, s® l ' l that the present game should show the danger of being cockahoop too soon, ft was one more demonstration that land's bowling is not unplayable. Colonel Trevor, however, repeated his prophecy of many months ago that England would bring home the laurels, fie expressed the opinion that the most P er " feet all-round team ever seen was that from Australia, led by Warwick Armstrong, in 1020-21. ... The “Sunday Express’ says.: “ seem unpatriotic to hope that Au. tra . will win the third Test. Be do not wish to lose the hard-won Ashes, but we secretly hanker for a dramatic hll The "News of the World” says that Ryder’s success is particularly pleasing.

in view of the- rumours that he would be deposed from the captaincy. “SNAIL-PACE SCORING” (Rec. January 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 31. Woolley urges that much more such snail-pace scoring will do cricket harm. “It is unhealthy that a match should be fought so grimly. Only 168 runs a day. I do not want to belittle Bradman and A’Beckett, but on the contrary, to congratulate the youngsters on their back-to-the ball performance, but it is a surprise to me to learn that they did not bat according to instructions. Melbourne is the most exacting and most fatiguing ground on which to bowl in the world, so the performance of the English bowlers was extraordinarily good. White must have kept a perfect length, but the Australians should have used their feet. To plav White timidly is to court disaster. • Clem Hill cables that England wants 500 to equalise her chances. He thinks that Bradman and A’Beckett should have been more aggressive, but were playing to orders. He fails to understand why the Australians continue to fall into the Hendren-Tate trap. He is also surprised that Chapman did not give Larwood an earlier trial at the pavilion end, and does not understand why White was not more severely punished. “We may.” says Warner, “have all our work cut out to win the match.” He declares that 168 runs for a day s play is the slowest ever known in a Test, and he hopes to see England a hundred ahead, because even on a Melbourne wicket there are signs of wear on the fifth and sixth day. J. B. HOBBS (By “Burwood.”) Before stumps were drawn at Melbourne on Monday, Job'' Berry Hobbs had completed his 3000 runs m Lest matches against Australia. It is -u years since the Surrey batsman began his Test match career. Curiously enough his- first game was also at Melbourne, commencing on New Year s Day, The Australians in their second raws scored 397—their first innings total of the present match. • ■;'■ , * J. B. Hobbs’s complete record reads

•Not out. Summary.—Matches, 34: innings. o 7: not outs. 4: highest score, IS; : runs, 0004. average, 5G.G7. ; Averages for various grounds are.—

BOWLING ANALYSIS. 0. M. K. w. Larwood .... 37 3 127 Tate 46 17 87 Q White 64 1 31.5 4 83 3 Hammond 8 4 19 1 Jardine .... 1 0 10 0

J. b; HOBBS AGAINST AUSTRALIA. 1007-8—Melbourne .... 83 28* Adelaide . > 26 Melbourne dl’ Sydney- ...... 1909^- Birmingham' ... 0 • •; • Lord’s. .....'.. 19 Leeds 12 191'1112—Sydney ....... 63 . Melbourne Adelaide ....... 187 3 ■ Sydney ....... 45 Melbourne .... 178 1912—Lord’s 107 Manchester 19 Oval. ■ ......... 66 32 1920-21 —Sydney ....... 49 59 Melbourne Adelaide ...... 18 123.. Melbourne Sydney ......... 40 34 1924-5 —Sydney 115 Melbourne 1 »>4 Adelaide 119 27 Melbourne ..... 66 Sydney' ....... 0 13 ‘ 1920—Nottingham. ... 19* Lord’s 119 ; Leeds 49 88 Manchester ' ... 74 Oval '.... <> i 100 1928-9—Brisbane • • • • 49 11 Sydney 40 Melbourne 20

Melbourne . Sydney .... Adelaide ... Brisbane ... In Matches. 8 4 1 Australia. Ins. N.O. H.S. Runs 922 654 526 60 65.85 43.60 75.14 30.00 15 15 8 1 0 1 0 178 115 187 49 Total in Australia .... 22 40 2 187 '216256.80 In En gland. Birmingham Lord's 1 3 4 1 0 *62 119 62 254 62.00 63.50 Leeds .... Manchester . 3 4 0 0 88 74 •179 93 44. 1 5 46.50 Nottingham Oval . 1 2 1 4 1 0 •19 100 19 235 58.75 Total in Eng land ' 12 17 2 119 842 . 56.13 Grand total . 34 57 4 187 3004 50.67 Not out.