NOTE OF THE DAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11834, 16 January 1933, Page 4

NOTE OF THE DAY

MORE EXCITEMENT FOR CRICKET “FANS.' 5

The third cricket- test between Australia and England is proving just as exciting as were its two predecessors. There must have been much astonishment when the M.C.C. side, in its opening strike, made such a disastrous commencement on a good wicket, (i so happens, however, that thanks to a much-needed stand by Ley Laud and Wyatt and io a subsequent valuable partnership by Paynter and Verity. the visitors emerged, at the close of their innings, with the quite s respectable total of 341. In turn, the Australians made an equally disappointing start, at the wickets. If Ponsford and Richardson. h,ad not contrived to put on G 6 between them and keep their wickets intact, the chances are that the. whole side would have gone for a. song. When play resumes to-day they will both have anxious moments in view of the need again to get their eye Lu. At present, the Australians have four wickets down for only 109 aud unless Ponsford and. Richardson can get going again to-day and keep going for a long while there is not much likelihood of the total being substantial, seeing t-Kat Australia has such a weak “tail.” What must he puzzling many followers of the game is why the “crack” bats on both sides have failed and it has been left for the second strings to place creditable figures on the score hoard. The only possible explanation is that at the opening of each innings the bowlers have dominated the batsmen and, as each innings has proceeded, the howling has lost its sting. What must not, of course, he overlooked is that the match is far from over yet, although the general opinion will be that the odds, meantime, favor the visitors. An interesting feature ol the clash is that Jardine has not followed the advice of critics and set about to counter spin bowlers with howlers of a like type. Wisely, however, he has included his best spinner, Verity, but prelers to rely, for the most part, on liis shock bowlers. Australia has certainly strengthened her batting by reincluding Ponsford and, in this coniieetxoii, Wood full was discreet in keeping the Victorian hack until Larwood and Allen had lost some o! their dash. As matters at present stand it would seem that Australia's only chance of success is to be re r quired to follow on and', in their second innings, produce a. prodigious total, leaving M.C.C. a well-worn wicket for their second knock. At all times cricket is, as is u ell—known, a game liable to he filled, with uncertainty. Many “it's” have to be taken into account, and it should not 'occasion any surprise if, at the end of to-day’s play, the result may still remain in doubt.