IN HIS BEST FORM

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 99, 23 October 1936, Page 9

IN HIS BEST FORM

GENERAL SATISFACTION

HAMMOND'S INNINGS

(By J. B^, Hobbs—Copyright in all Countries —Reproduction in Whole or Part Forbidden.) PERTH, October. 22.

The feature of the day's cricket, and one which gave satisfaction alike to the Engishmen and Australians, was Hammond's magnificent innings of 107. Even though the bowling must be con-, sidered among the weakest that will be encountered in State games it proved Hammond to be in his best 'form. Two hundreds in succession make a very encouraging start even to the best players. The Australians will be equally pleased because they appreciate good batting even though it comes from the enemy camp. Hammond was in carefree mood and treated all the.bowlers, except Grimmett, in cavalier fashion, although there was no high hitting until Zimbulis came on to bowl and Hammond was getting near his century. Grimmett he played on his merits. Apart from hitting to leg the only shot he employed against the slow bowler was a forcing back shot. He got several 4's in this manner. He hit three 6's, all off Zimbulis, the second taking him from 94 to 100. He took another one off the next ball, but it should have been a catch to Fingleton at long-off. After appearing to judge the ball perfectly, he.let it drop out of his hands. It fell over the.boundary line, which was half a. dozen yards from the fence. ■ Fagg had his first dnnings in Australia, and it was a mixture. I should say he ha's hardly settled down yet. | He has not yet got the pace of the ball. WORTHINGTON'S STRIKE. Another fine innings was Worthington's 89. I think everyone was sorry to see him miss his century. As a matter of fact he was going so well that we were surprised he did not get it. He had just got some beautiful 4's through the covers, which is a sure sign of a batsman, L ,being in form, when he played a half-forcing backshot to McCabe to be easily caught and bowled. ' Fishlock, the left-hander, displayed good form, and among his hits was a straight drive for 6 off Grimmett. He reached 50 with another 6, this time off Zimbulis. Grimmett did not unduly trouble the batsmen, though it appeared that he was flighting the ball and changing the pace in his old familiar way.