ENGLAND TWO UP

Evening Star, Issue 20055, 21 December 1928, Page 2

ENGLAND TWO UP

[By Substitute.]

The critics can at least find some cause for satisfaction in the fighting game played by Australia in the second test, but, while an inning’s defeat was averted, the Englishmen’s victory was again a big one, the necessary runs being scored with the loss of two wickets (Geary and Tate). Hendry, who has a fair amount of pace, was used as an opening bowler for Australia, and he further distinguished himself by taking two wickets for 4 runs. He has proved himself a thorough all-rounder in the two tests, and it may "be found that in future games he will be used still more. After having four wickets down for 339, Australia’s innings closed for 397, which was a - very respectable total under the circumstances, Ponsford’s defection being taken into account. The remaining batsmen did not add the score, Grimmett making ile Blackie carried his bat for 1L Ironmonger’s weakness in batting was again' exemplified, and he was bowled by Geary’s first ball. Oldfield, usually good for a fair score, went first ball low to Tate. Although Tate is not as fast as Larwood, he is a most dependable bowler, able to keep a splendid length and also capable of makmg the ball kick, up from, tho pitch. Three of his victims in this match went Ibw, the other being caught by Hondren. His four wickets were obtained at a cost of 99 runs. In past tests, Tate obtained 61, wickets at an average cost of 24.90, but in the last tour of Australia he had too much to do,' although ho would appear to be a tireless bowler. This time he has been greatly relieved of his burden by Larwood. The'latter proved more expensive than usual, taking only one wicket for 105, arid if the Australians are able to play him with the, confidence they showed in the second innings of this match better scores and more v interesting cricket may be looked for. Geary got a couple of the later batsmen cheaply, his two wickets costing 56 runs. White was expensive, and Hammond, too, failed to get a wicket. Nothling batted soundly, and got 44 before he was run out. The Queenslander has performed creditably in this match, and, while he has yet to'prove himself with tho ball, he should stand a very good chance of again being selected for the next test.

The tenacity of the Australians in this game is expected to create greater interest in the forthcoming tests, and Australia should make i better showing in the next three games. Unless the bowling is strengthened, however, Englishmen will still have no qualms about the destination of the Ashes, and the difficulty with, which the Australian selectors are beset is to find the bowlers who are class enough for the test games. Australia is passing through a lean period in this respect, and it is, her misfortune that England should be represented at the same time with a most powerful batting side and a good variety of class bowlers. England is two up for the Ashes, and Australia’s hopes of ultimate success must now be regarded as very forlorn indeed. But the Englishmen will not be allowed to carry 1 the ‘ mythical ashes back without a stern fight, and the coming games are pretty; certain to lie more grimly contested than those that have'already gone.

ENLGISH AVERAGES

The English batting averages to the end of the second tost are as follow:

BO .2 Name. ‘3 -P O -P Jg d a 60 ® V tfi « d 43 0 .£? o ' « M I 55 55 Win <) Hammond 8 0 251 • 817 102.12 Henclren 7 0 169 649 92.71 Leyland 8 3 114 378 75.60 Jardiu© 10 1 140 548 68.8 Chapman 8 0 145 390 48.87 Hobbs ... 10 1 *67 411 45.66 Duckworth 8 5 40 184 44.66 Larwood 6 0 77 265 44.33 Sutcliffe 11 0 77 516 43.27 Mead ... 10 3 72 299 42.71 Tyldesley 7 0 115 288 41.14 Geary ... 7 2 *66 162 32.40 Ames ... 4 0 62 96 24.00 Tate ... 8 1 59 158 22.52 White ... 9 S 39 77 12.83 Freeman 4 1 17 34 11.33