TEST ISSUE DOUBTFUL

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1929, Page 7

TEST ISSUE DOUBTFUL

AUSTRALIA’S GOOD CHANCE A GRIM STRUGGLE (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.) MELBOURNE, March 15. Pleasant weather prevailed when the fifth test match was resumed today on a fairly good wicket, which, at any rate, was in better condition than it probably would have been had there been no rain on Wednesday. Oldfield and Hornibrook resumed the batting with no wickets down for seven runs, Australia then required 279 runs to win. Oldfield, when eight, gave Hammond an easy chance in the slips off Larwood. Only six runs were added in half an hour, but the batsmen had done good work for theii team in getting through the dangerous state when a new ball was in use. The batting of both men steadily improved, although the run-getting was slow. There was great cheering when the first innings deficiency of 28 runs Was wiped out. Hornibrook was again Showing fine grit, and surprising soundness. Fifty runs was brought up in 93 minutes, every run being loudly applauded. Then Duckworth missed a chance of catching Hornibrook off ..Tate, the batsman being then IS. Off the last ball before lunch, Hornibrook was clean bowled. He batted for 97 minutes, and hit one fourer. Although very slow, he played a fine innings for his side. ' Woodfull opened quietly, as usual, only seven runs being added in twenty minutes. Then Oldfield obtained a five, including three for an overthrow, off Larwood. Tate and the fast bowler were both in good form, and they had to be closely watched. At one stage Tate had bowled nine overs for five runs.

When the total was 80, Oldfield was clean bowled, aftei’ a good, plucky display of 155 minutes. He hit three fours, and one five. His partnership with Woodfull had realised 29 runs. Hammond, who then had two wickets for nine runs, was turning the ball slightly and was making it rise sharply, thereby suggesting that the wicket was not playing altogether true. One ball struck Duckworth, the w’icketkeeper, a nasty blow on the shoulder, play being'suspended while Larwood massaged him. He had been keeping wickets in great style, making many clever stops on the leg side. The century was brought up after three hours’ play, Woodfull livening matters up by getting two fourers in successive overs from Tate and Larwood. The bowling, however, was of a high standard throughout, and the fielding was very keen, every run having to be earned. Jackson who had not had much of a strike, reached double figures in 45 minutes.

After tea, only seven runs were added in twenty minutes, the crow’d commenting on the slow play sarcastically. Then Jackson obtained a six off one of Larwood’s overs. When 34, Woodfull had a narrow escape of being run out on the third run oh a hit by Ja’ckson, Leyland making a good return. The scoring rate was steadily improving, till Woodfull played on a ball which kept very low. He had batted for 128 minutes, and he hit one four. On his being joined by Kippax, Jackson became more enterprising, making some delightful cuts off Larwood. One hundred and fifty runs were reached in 237 minutes play. At 158, White went on for the first time since lunch, and the scoring rate slackened again. Jackson who was clean bowled, batted for 85 minutes. He hit five fours, and he was missed when showing his best form. The light was getting poor when Ryder went in, the position then being most interesting again, as the wicket was now inclined to play an occasional trick, the ball keeping very low at times. Runs •were as scarce as sovereigns, the bowling being very accurate, and the fielding exceptionally keen and effective. An appeal was made against the light at 5.30. This was disallowed. A second appeal made at 5.37 was. also refused.

A few more runs -were added, and then a third appeal was made, and it was successful at 5.45. Kippax batted for 58 minutes, and Ryder batted for half an hour. The time for the innings was 276 minutes. It was remarkably low scoring for the day’s play. The visitors deserve great credit for their sterling fight, even though they had occasional assistance from the wicket. England is by no means beaten yet. Scores: — ENGLAND—Ist Innings .. .. 519 AUSTRALIA—Ist Innings • • 491 ENGLAND—2nd Innings .. .. 257 AUSTRALIA—2nd Innings. Oldfield, b Hammond 48 Hornibrook, b Hammond .. • • 18 Woodfull, b Hammond • • • • 35 Jackson, b Geary 46 Kippax, not out .. • • • • • • Ryder, not out " Extras: Total for four wickets .. .. 173

CLEM HILL’S COMMENT. LONDON, March 14. Clem Hill states: Hobbs played one of the brightest innings of the season. Australia is just as proud of liim as England. No Australian player or onlooker would have grudged him the honour if he had finished up his test career with a double century. I am afraid Leyland is going to worry the Australians for years. He is solid and cool. When the right ball comes he hits it. Australia’s outstanding player is Wall, who has given her a chance to win. He is the bowler we have badly needed, with length and pace. I do not know why Fairfax was not used more. I presume Ryder has great faith in Hornibrook. The lastnamed needs assistance from the wicket to be dangerous.