ENGLAND BATS FIRST

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 49, 26 February 1921, Page 12

ENGLAND BATS FIRST

A MODERATE SCORE

CARTER'S EXCELLENT WIOKET-

KEEPING.

(it TrLDUßirn.—rr.Ess association.)

SYDNEY, 24th February.

The fifth Test match commenced' in ideal weather and on an excellent wicket. The' .attendance during the day was ■17,000. It was announced at the last moment that Hobbs had recovered sufficiently to play.

Douglas won the toss and opened with Hobbs and Rhodes. Hobbs limped considerably as, a result of his recent injury. Both men batted with extreme caution, 45, appearing as the result of an hour's play. Gregory and M'Donald gave way to Mailey and Kelleway. Rhodes, when. 26, touched a fast ball from Kelleway, which Carter brilliantly accepted. Hobbs deflected Gregory dangerously close to Mailey at second slip when 35. In the last over prior to luncheon he stepped an front of liis wicket to Gregory, and was given out leg-before. On resufnmg Makepeace spooned Mailey to first slip, when 3, Gregory falling forward and taking a smart catch low down. ln^ the following over. Hendrsn gave Ryder an opportunity at second slip off Gregory, wh^ch was declined, but in the same over he'touched a fast one and.was smartly taken by Carter, at short stop. 4—5 —76. This changed the complexion of the game, and conjured up visions of a debacle.' Gregory was bowling with exceptional speed and maintaining an excellent length, and supported by a brilliant slip field, threatened to go through the side, whilst Mailey at the£>ther end \vas delivering a minimum of loose- onea and demanded the closest watching.

Woolley and Russell now became associated in a useful partnership, the former, particularly displaying commendable enterprise and confidence at such, a critical juncture. He coolly drove Gregory, a straight hit, and also executed fine drives to the off boundary from Mailey, rapidly reaching the thirties before losing' his partner, who .placed Mailey into Gregory's hands.at first,slip.. The partnership had added 49, whilst the previous four wickets . added only 22. J3ouglas joined Woolley, Gregory, meanwhile giving way to M'Donald. Woolley Droceeded merrily, reaching the half-century in masterly fashion in 54 minutes. Ho seemed Well set. for a big score, when in the next over he played back to M'Donald, hitting his wicket. Douglas and Fender faced Kelleway and M'Donald, the former beingodropped at first slip by Gregory when 11, the ball flying at an awkward angle knee high. In the succeeding over Gi'egory made amends by one of the finest catches witnessed. Fender touched a fast one from Kelleway, and Gregory, in the same position, intercepted a cannon shot with the left hand, whilst the -crowd were looking to see the ball speeding to the boundary. 7—2—164. Wilson notched 5 before tipping Ke.Ueway to Carter, who made no mistake. > After tea Parkin cut Kelleway outside deep point, Taylor brilliantly catching him low down. Strudwick skied Gregory to mid-on, where Macartney waited underneath the ball. The teatti began to file off the field, but to the surprise of everybody Macartney dropped ,the easiest of catches. Gregory in the next over shattered Strndwick's sticks, the innings closing for '204. ; .

Kelleway excelled himself with the ball, maintaining a perfect length throughout. - Armstrong • handled the attack to a nicety, displaying keen judgment in using and nursing the respective bowlers. The fielding, with the exception of a couple of blemishes, was exceptionally brilliant, and considerably enhanced "th« bowlers' efforts. Carter's exhibition behind the .wickets, including three catches, was the work of a true artist. He is still the foremost keeper in-Australia. .

Australia's innings opened in dramatic fashion, Collins and Bardsley both falling eariy to fine catches at second slip by Vendor, off Parkin and Douglas. Macartney and Taylor played out time by "steady batting, interspersed with crisp ..strokes. Taylor was dropped by Parkin off Wooll«y ut silly mid-on when 22. The following are the scores! — ' ENGLAND. . First Innings* Hobhs, lbw, b Gregory 40 Rhodes, c Carter, b Kelleway 26 Makepeace, c Gregory, b TVlailey 3 Hendren; c Carter, b Gregory & Woolley, b M'Donald 53 Bussellj c .Gregory, b Mailey 19 Douglas, not out , 32 Fender, c Gregory, b Kelleway 2 Wilson, o Carter, b KelLeway ; ' 5 Parkin, c Taylor, b Kelleway 9 Strudwick. b Gregory " 2 Sundries „., 8 Total 204 The wickets fell as follow:—One. for 45, two for 70, three for 74, four for 76, five for 125, six for 160, seven for 164, eight for 172, nine for 201, ten for 204. Bowling Averages.—Kelleway took" four wickets for 27 runs, one no-ball; Gregory, three for 42; M'Donald one for 38, one wide, one no-ball; Mailey, two for 89. „ * AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Fender, b Parkin ..: 5 Bardsley, c Fender, b Douglas 7 Macartney, not out ; 31 Taylor, not out 22 Extras 5 Total for two wickets 70