112 RUNS EACH

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1934, Page 5

112 RUNS EACH

WORCESTER & BRADMAN Grimmett Does Well (Aus. & N.Z. Cable AssnA LONDON, April 2. A perfect example of a benign Egn lish spring day greeted the Australians at the opening of their tour aWorcester. The wicket appeared true and easy, and the outfield was mti'h faster than normally at (he beginning of the season. Demonstrating the phenomenal interest England is taking in the tiouf, over a hundred journalists and fifty photographers were present at the first match. Ebeling drew the first blood uf the tour, his third ball skittling Gibbons' wickets without a run on the board. Wall’s first four overs were all maidens. Pataudj almost had Walters run out. when he refused the captain’s call, later Pataudi’s irresponsible running cost him his wicket when yards out of his crease. Wa'ltens handled G|rimmett and O'Reilly splendidly. -Grimmett., then found his length and -trapped Nichui O’Reilly obtained his first wicket when Martin played a feeble shot back to the bowler,. Just befiore lunch, Walters, liivi Nichols, failed to distinguish between Grimmett’s leg-break and a straight ball, and was out leg before after batting eighty minutes. He played an impressive innings without a bad stroke. Six thousand were present afte' lunch, when Grimmett’s ascendancy became pronounced Worcester's in nings ended after 170 minutew, Obifield taking a spectacular catch -to dismiss the last ba Osman, Quaife. .Ponsfiord and Woodfull opened confidently, Ponsford played a series of crisp attacking shots, before he was caught in ,the slips. Jackson was keeping an admirable length, with a considerable nip from the pitch. Bradman once almost played him on Wicodful was jogging along comfortably. After tea, Bradman opened his shoulders, slamming Perks and Brooks to the boundary. He drew level with Moodfull, whio had had forty minutes' start, Bradman reached 50 in an hour. Worcester’s fielding was excellent, but, Bradman was dealing out punishment. ,to al] the bowlers. His form improved a s he went along. Woodfull, after lingering for half-an-hour in lhe forties, attempted a big drive and and was well caught behind the bowler. Kippax survived only four balls. Me Cube was almost bowled next ball, but undeterred he hit cheeerfully. Bradman meanwhile,, was steadily approaching the century. He was now sighting the ball perfectly and i placing it a.t will. His hundred came with a slashing pull from Brook made in even time. It included thirteeu fours. Scores: — M ORCEblEß—First Innings. Valters, lbw., b Grimmett , . 32 Gibbons, b Ebeling q Pataudi. run out 1 4 Nichols, lbw., b Grimmett 6 Martin, c and b O’Reilly . . .. p Bull, stp., Oldfield, b Grimmett . . 13 Quaife. c Oldfield, b Wall . . .. 20 Howarth, b Wall Brook, b Grimmett 3 Jackson, lbw., b Grimmett . , Q Perks, not out q Extras 8 Total Bowling: Wall 2 for 6, Ebeling 1 for 10, Grimmett 5 for 53. O’Reilly 1 for AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Woodfull, c Perks, b Martin .. 48 Ponsfiord, <■ Nichols, b Jackson . . 13 Bradman, niot out Kippax, b Jackson q McCabe, not out, jg Extras 7 Total for three wickets .. 199 WHAT THE CRITICS SAY. (Received May 3 at 7 p.m ) LONDON, May 3. Mr P f. Warner, in tho ‘‘Daily Telegraph,” says: ‘‘Bradman soon had a complete mastery. He late-cut superbly, and his hooking was as certain as ever, while his balance was perfect. Woodfull’s bat was as broad as ever. Grimmett was the howler we know, being clever, persevering, and both flighting and spinning the ball. O’Reilly made the b?ill turn, beating the Nawab of Pataudi with a beautiful leg break. He seemed to bend lower than I remember him doing in Australia. He possibly obtains flighting from this occasional lowering of the body. Oldfield looked as great as ever. He stood back for the first two of Ebeling’s overs. Walters played some lovely strokes, his easy, wristy style being attractive. Mr Pollock, in the “Daily Ex press,” says: If Bradman can bat like this in the first match, without practice, Heaven help our bowlers! The ‘‘Daily Mail” says: Bradman’s daring footwork, power, placing and intuitive awareness of the field have made him a batting marvel in the field to-day.