OLDFIELD OF OLD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 8

OLDFIELD OF OLD

SPLENDID DRIVING

BEST BATTING OF TOUR

(By J. B. Hobbs—Copyright in all countries —Reproduction in whole or part forbidden.) (Received February 17, 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Yesterday was the first occasion this season that I have seen Oldfield produce anything like the batting form he showed when he was such a thorn in England's side in the Tests about 1924. Some of his cover-drives were splendidly executed. Hardstaff and Barnett put English batting back on the map after Monday's sad display. It was the best batting seen this tour in an important match. It scintillated with all the strokes and mere was also brilliant running between the wickets. They kept chasing runs as well as running them quickly. The spectators appreciated the splendid batting of batsmen who did not merely guide the ball' but hit it with full-blooded smacks. ( Th 6 bowling was never loose and runs were' never presented to them. Hardstaff played the best innings I have seen-'from him in Australia. ~ The wicket was a gem. Perhaps I <was rather unkind the previous .day ■in not making.allowance for it when (Condemning the English batsmen: and maybe it was not as good as I thought, but the wicket was no excuse for the .other .failures yesterday. • ;Tho.re was a collapse when, the new ball was used, England losing four wickets while scoring 20. It was regrettable that Barnett and Hardstaff .were let down as their effort deserved to bring England near victory. I except Ames, who played a forceful 'innings towards the close. It was excellent cricket and win or defeat in this match does not really matter. New Sbuth Wales is the only State to beat England; this tour. It must be a long time since any State did it twice, and; I heartily congratulate New South j Wales. ; ; , ; . . I