A SPIRITLESS FINISH

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 52, 2 March 1921, Page 2

A SPIRITLESS FINISH

AUSTRALIA WINS BY NINE

WICKETS

((KITES TUBS! ASSOCUTIOS.—COI'i'r.IOBT.)

SYDNEY, Ist March.

The last, chapter of the fifth. Test Match was spiritless' and uninteresting. With 68 runs required to win, and all the wickets intact, the result was a foregone conclusion, though heavier rain •over-night might easily have found Australia scratching for runs on a sticky wicket. The outfield was heavy, as a result of the rain, and the wicket was damp, but not troublesome excepting to the bowlers, who required sawdust to ensure a secure foothold.

Woolley and Parkin opened the attack, both batsmen adopting astonishingly cautious methods, to the surprise of a few hundred spectators. The first 50 runs were registered in 54 minutes, Bardsley's quota being two to each one of Collins's. Rhodes and Wilspn then endeavoured to effect a separation, but the batsmen watched the ball carefully, as if the ashes hung in the balance. With five runs to win, and two for his half-century, Bardeley hit Wilson to square-leg for a brace, after 92 minutes' play. Both batsmen pottered about for three overs, endeavouring to register the necessary runs, until Collins snicked Wilson into Strudwick's hands. Collins's score was 37, made in 100 minutes. Macartney scored two singles, one each from Wilson and Rhodes. Australia won by nine wickets. The following are the scores:— ENGLAND. First innings 204 Second innings •...., 280 AUSTRALIA. First minings 392 Second Innings. Collins, c Strudwick, b Wilson ...... 37 Bardsley, not out 50 Macartney, not cut 2 Sundries 4 One wicket for .....5... 93 Bowling Analysis.—Wilson took one wicket for 8 runs, Rhodes none for 20, Woolley none for 27, Parkin none&for 32, Fer.' - none for 2, one no-ball.