CRICKET

Evening Star, Issue 18808, 5 December 1924, Page 2

CRICKET

ENGLAND V. AH AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. HOME TEAM OPENS WELL. Frees Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Aesofflati >n. BRISBANE, December 4. The match between an Australian eleven and England opened in delightful weather. Since Tuesday a cool change had set m, ■which the ‘Englishinen appreciated, as they felt the heat severely in Queensland. There was disappointment at the English team, which omitted Gillignn, Hobbs, Tate, Woolley, and Hcarne. The side includes Howell, . who is playing his first game since the injury to his leg at Perth. Collins not being available, the Board of Control allowed tho players to elect a captain, and the honor fell to Hendry, who is tho only international on the side. Douglas led the Englishmen for the first time on this tour. Hendry won tho toss, and to bat on a fast wicket and with a perfect outfield. Four thousand spectator wore present during the afternoon. O’Connor (tho Queensland captain, whom _ Gilligan had likened to a first-class English batsman) and Ponsford (tho Victorian test match aspirant) made a good opening. Both played Howell and Douglas easily, and sent up 50 runs in forty-five minutes. The slow Bowlers, however, consistently troubled them, particularly Freeman, whose length, with a good variety, was always puzzling. He broke the partnership at 121 by getting the Queenslander leg before. Ponsford played stylishly. His only weak stroke was at the ball which got him. He was beaten by a change in pace. A dashing display was given by Richardson, who sent the slow bowlers all over the ground by driving brilliantly. After Richardson, who had charmed the spectators, play became dull in comparison. Kippax was showing good form with sweet strokes into the slips, when Strudwick, who was keeping ably, took advantage of his first chance of stumping. "'Hendry quickly ran into his best fom, and gave the most stylish exhibition of tho match. He picked the loose balls in fine style, driving and pulling brilliantly. Hendry never played better cricket. The Queenslander Oxenham showed good form, but his strokes lack tho finish of an Australian eleven man. Tho bowlers began (o lire, and Hendry, seeing his advantage, hit out, scoring with well-placed strokes all round tho wicket. The pair added 111 for the fifth wicket, and then the Australian skipper retired just on time. As in the Queensland match, the pace of the bowlers was not over-troublesome. Howell started making the ball kick, but the batsmen were not greatly troubled. The slow bowlers (Freeman and Tyldeslcy) were treated with the greatest respect. Freeman was always dangerous. His pace never wavered, and the ball wont with a good flight, so that runs from him were always difficult to get. He should be hard to leave out of the test matches. He was better on the day than Tyldesley. _ Strudwick was in good form behind tho wickets. Tho first extra came at 182. Tire fielding was always keen, no chances being missed. Douglas and Chapman (close in) and Bryan,' Hendren, and Sutcliffe. (in tho outfield) were outstanding. Scores AUSTRALIA. First Inniugs. O’Connor Ibw b Freeman ... ... ... £0 Ponsford c Sandbam b Howell 81 V, Richardson Ibw b Tyldeslcy 35 Kippax st Stvudwick b Tyldesley ... 14 Oxenham not out 4 1 Hendrv c Strudwick b Freeman b» "Extras - - - 4 Total for five wickets