CONFIDENCE RESTORED

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 154, 30 June 1926, Page 9

CONFIDENCE RESTORED

ENGLAND'S CRICKET IMPROVED.

(Australian-New Zealand Cable Assn.) (Received 30th June, 1 p.m.).

LONDON,' 20th .Tune. The "Daily Sketch" says: "Lord's to-day paid the price . for time-limited Tests. Since the first day a draw seemed inevitable; hence to-day's attendance was depleted by thousands. There were vacant-places'on all the stands and room for ordinary admission ; payers throughout the day, but thosei who ■■ attended' saw • more ■to restore corifidenae in' English' cricket than has. happened .for' seV.enal'years. "From the Australian: viewpoint the outstanding' feature' was the- emphasis on Gregory's .decline.1 What,a contrast since 1921!. Then he was the terror of English batsmen of the highest class, who were almost beaten by fear before they faced him. To-day the Englishmen collared his'bowling completely and found him the easiest of all Ihe Australian bowlers. "AVho is this now slow bowler Gregory?" asked one critic. It must be admitted that he found neither pace nor length. There were few overs when'he did not make

duly sent to the boundary. Only Bichardson was found troublesome, and he alone succeeded in keeping down rues, but ho could not take wickets.

"With the loss of only one wicket to-day the Englishmen topped the highest score ever made at Lord's in Anglo-Australian Tests.

"It was a most unexpected gesture when Carr declared, taking a 100 to 1 off chance of deciding the match, k bnt in the afternoon Macartney revivified Australian confidence and showed that it was not only Bardsley who could hit centuries. Macartney's innings was faultless, most stylish, ami a delight to watch. Throughout no bowler troubled him seriously.

"Collins, determined to make doubly sure of a draw, was seen in one of his dourest defensive moods. He took an hour to make 14, and then threequarters of an hour elapsed without a single scoring stroke. The crowds barracked his every stonewalling tap, but Collins, unperturbed, left Macartney to make runs, while he made sure of a draw. When this was assured later, the batsmen were sent in in curious, order, had a merrier time, and 'took liberties. The result was that the last hour was filled with happenings."