FINE INNINGS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 80, 28 December 1935, Page 11

FINE INNINGS

Nourse Scores 231 at Johannesburg SECOND CRICKET TEST Australians to Face Formidable Task By Telegraph—Press Assn—Copyright. (Received December 28, 1.30 a.m.) Johannesburg, December 27. Excellent batting by Nourse. who compiled 231, was a feature of the third day’s play to-day in the second cricket Test between South Africa and Ausralia. At about 3 p.m. the score in South Africa's second innings stood at 466 for nine wickets.

Australia were favourably placed at the end of the first day, having scored 168 for three wickets in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 157. A remarkable collapse set in when the innings was resumed yesterday, however, and the last wicket fell at 250. At the end of yesterday’s play, which was full of incident and in which fortunes varied greatly, South Africa had lost four wic-s’ts for 254. Of the Australian tail-end batsmen Oldfield alone presented a bold front until he was caught at square-leg off a full toss. He batted 69 minutes and hit six 4’s.

Grimmett was bowled next bail, and when Mitchell bowled O'Reilly the crowd was hysterical with excitement. Mitchell had taken three wickets for three runs in one over. McCormick was soon dismissed, and Australia were all out after the innings had lasted 241 minutes. The wicket was most responsive to the slow spin bowlers, and Mitchell took full advantage of it. Brilliant fielding assisted the bowling. News of Australia’s sensational collapse spread like wildfire and hundreds poured into the ground during the luncheon interval. South African Innings. Wade opened South Africa’s second innings with Siedle against McCormick, who was making terrific pace froin the wicket. Two wide deliveries went to the boundary fo_r byes. The batsmen were dashing at the start, sending up 50 in 37 minutes. Wade was then out to a weil-disguised straight ball after a most entertaining innings. O'Reilly employed a leg trap but Siedle and Rotvan were not perturbed. Siedle eventually lost his wicket by lashing out wildly at a perfectly straight ball which hit the middle stumjL I’lav then quietened, and a hush fell over the crowd, which now numbered 30,000. Rowan was also beaten by a straight ball from Grimmett and, with three, wickets down for 90 runs, South Africa were still in arrears. Nourse was in 20 minutes before scoring, but later he and Mitchell penetrated the field and scored freely, .150 taking 135 minutes. When Nourse was 45 he survived a confident appeal for a catch behind the wicket, and was dropped by Fleetwood-Smith off Grimmett when he was 65. Mitchell was batting nicely when he was brilliantly caught behind the wicket. He baited 134 minutes and hit seven fours. Nourse continued to bat freely until stumps, and Briscoe was also confident. Third Day’s Play. The weather was fine and the wicket ■showing signs of slight wear when play commenced on the third day. The Press pays tribute to the magnificent Springbok recovery. Taylor, writing in the "Rand Daily Mail,” says that Wade made deadly use of the leg theory as taught by the masters of the trap—the Australians themselves. A north-west wind brought clouds of dust across the ground. Nourse received a great, ovation on reaching his hundred in 151 minutes. He had hit 16 fours. Grimmett and O’Reilly were always threatening, making full use of the worn patches. Nourse took nine off one of O’Reilly’s overs. He drove with terrific force and abandon. Briscoe was bowled inside his bat by a goodlength ball. McCormick continued to bowl dead on the wicket and the batsmen treated him with respect. Nourse, now properly set. took the score past 300 to the accompaniment of lusty cheers. The Australians have never bad to work so hard in a hot sun as this morning. Frequent changes of bowlers failed to shift Nourse who began to take toll of Fleetwood-Smith, off whom he hit two successive boundaries. Nicholson, too. was batting courageously and penetrating the keen field. Details:— SOUTH AFRICA. First innings 157 Second Innings. Siedle, b. Grimmett. 34 Wade, 1.b.w., b. Grimmett 30 Rowan, 1.b.w.. b. Grimmett 13 Mitchell, c. Olrlfield, b. McCabe 45 Nourse, not out 179 Briscoe, b. McCormick 16 Nicholson, not. out 23 Extras 30 Total for five wickets 370 The latest cabled advice gave the South African score as 466 for nine wickets (Nourse 231). AUSTRALIA. First Innings 250 SOUTH AFRICA ALL OUT At 3.40 p.m. Johannesburg time South Africa were all out for 491 (Crisp 35), leaving Australia requiring 399 runs to win. WADE AGAIN CAPTAIN Team For Third Test Johannesberg. December 26 11. F. Wade lias again been appointed captain of the South African team for the third Test, which is to commence at Cape Town on January 1. X. Halaskas, whose chances of playing i:> the third Test were considered to be excellent, slightly injured an tinkle in a cricket, match, but is still hopeful of being fit for the Test. VICTORIA IN LEAD (Received December 27. 11.20 p.m.) Melbourne, December 27. In the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria, who made 392. New South Wales, in their first innings, made 295 (Mudge 59, Robinson 66, McGilvray 42, White 28 not out). Smith took four wickets for 72 and Plant two for 41. Victoria, in their first innings, have lost two wickets for 148 (Lee 73 not out, Scaife 35 not out).