AUSTRALIA'S REPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1936, Page 11

AUSTRALIA'S REPLY

SATISFACTORY SO FAR

FINGLETON'S FINE INNINGS

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received December 7, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The "Sydney Morning Herald's" cricket writer says that with two days completed the first Test bears an open appearance. The dismissal of Badcock was disappointing, but its effect was mild compared with the shock that came when Bradman was caught. Fingleton and McCabe defied the keen attack during the closing hour and a half, concentrating on keeping the wickets intact. The attendance of. 30,775 on Saturday was a record for any cricket match in Brisbane. A. G. Moyes, in the "Sunday Sun," says at the end of two days' play the chances are about even. "When it came to the Test the Englishmen, helped certainly by the indecisiveness of the home team and by the erratic bowling and some poor fielding, rose superior to their form of other games. Actually, the struggle is only just starting. Fingleton, > McCabe, Robinson, Chipperfield, and Sievers have it: in them to add another 300 to the score. Therefore, I still think Australia can win." WILL HAVE TO FIGHT HARD. Arthur Mailey, writing in the "Daily Telegraph," says that Australia will have to fight hard for runs when the game resumes. Australia need at least another 300 before they will be in even a reasonably good position. Macartney, writing in the "Herald," considers that the situation at the end of the second day is in England's favour, and adds: This position may not/last, but possibilities are definitely there. England has runs on the board. Australia still has to make them. Three recognised run-getters remain, and from these men, plus McCabe and Fingleton, a lead of at least 100 runs is essential to make the situation one of safety for Australia. The wicket at one end is showing occasional turning qualities, which is being exploited by Verity, and Australia has the fourth innings. Verity is a real menace in England's attack, and Australia has now to fight hard to retrieve the position lost through the failure of her slow bowlers to whom her faith was pinned. England's total is beyond expectations, but more runs could have been acquired. Fear and restraint against the slow bowling has become so habitual to the Englishmen that they prevent the employing of sturdy strokes even to bad deliveries. The Australian attack felt severely the absence of McCormick. Australia has made a satisfactory reply to England so far, and this position is due in no small measure to the fine, solid innings of Fingleton. The loss of Badcock and a modest contribution by Bradman, whose runs were hardly made in true Bradman style, thrust a situation on McCabe that demanded caution. McCabe was notable to attempt a sortie on the bow}ing. The fast bowling and the large doses of Verity, with all the bowlers on the spot, helped to subdue the batsmen.