TEST CRICKET

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 January 1925, Page 5

TEST CRICKET

PERFECT BATTING CONDITIONS. THE HERO OF THE DAY. ' v '' ‘ i RICHARDSON’S GREAT GAME. BY CABLE- -PU ESS ASSOCIATION COPYRIGHT. Received Jan 3, 11.35 a.m. SYDNEY, Jan. 3. The Herald, commenting on the test cricket, says: “The play was continued under perfect batting conditions. Ponsford’s innings showed versatility of stroke and precision in playing. V. Richardson was the hero of thq*day. When dismissed he was pounding the bowling in a way. seldom, if ever, seen in test cricket. He was run out quite unnecessarily through a little display of faulty judgment. The paucity or the English bowling was freely emphasised. Tate was easily* the outstanding figure. The fielding was excellent, but was very much on the wane in the last half hour. It was a day of wonderful cheer for Australian cricket when a new record score for test . cricket was established.

AUSTRALIA MAKES 600,

TWO INDIVIDUAL CENTURIES. f MELBOURNE, Jan. 2. By scoring 600 in the first innings of the second cricket test against England, Australia to-day made a world’s test match lecord. ’ The Australians, who had Avon the toss when the match opened yesterday, were at the wickets all day, the overnight score of 300 for four wickets being exactly doubled. Twenty thousand spectators - arrived before play commenced this morning. Tlie weather was fine and bright, with a cool breeze, and the wicket was better than yesterday, while the outfield was fast.

Australia’s not out men, Ponsford (128) and V. Richardson (39) faced Tate and Gilligan. Richardson took strike from Tate and cut. liim for a single, but Ponsford pulled on Tate’s fourth ball, having failed to increase his overnight score. lie played an invaluable innings at a critical stage. lie batted for 220 minutes and hit six fours. When lie left the board read — 5—125—301.

Kelleway opened his account with a couple of singles off Gilligan and Tate, who were bowling without a fieldsman to leg. Richardson pulled Tate and ran a good three. Tate was working the off theory close to slips, but Kelleway was not tempted to hit. Richardson was applauded for a straight drive off Gilligan to tlie fence, and reached 50 with another four off Gilligan after 104 minutes’ play., Tate, who was bowling exceptionally well, sent down a maiden to Kelleway. Tyldesley, who had not taken a wicket for 68 runs, went on in place of Gilligan. Richardson played a difficult ball from Tate for three. Then one swung off to the leg stump, but he survived. Tate’s best over was that to Kelleway, his leg stuff being effective. Richardson, however, was aggressive and hit Tate for two successive boundaries.

& Douglas, at mid-on, dropped an easy catch from Richardson off Tyldesley. Richardson was.then 67. At 340 Woolley replaced Tate, who Rad taken two wickets for 81. V. Richardson ran t 6 78 by free hitting, which pleased the crowd, and the total reached 350. Woolley was bowling without slips. Hem dren’s outfielding was saving runs. Richardson, who was nearing liis century, was punishing Tyldesley, and Tate went on at 368. Richardson was 98 when the luncheon adjournment was taken.

On resuming Richardson snicked Tate and Douglas for singles, and his century was hoisted for 178 minutes’ batting. Then, opening out, Richardson hit. 20 off Douglas’ fourth over, four boundaries making him top score with 130. He had scored 92 while -Kelleway was getting 19, and was severely punishing the bowling until sensationally ruif out while endeavouring to get four off Tate. Richardson hit thirteen fours during his 178 minutes at the crease, and had a wonderful reception on returning to the pavilion. The board then read- —6—138 —424. Richardson was the third t man -to be run out, Chapman being responsible. The attendance at this stage reached 410,000. Kelleway batted 128 minutes for 32 when Strudwiek caught him, -Hartkopf filled Richardson’s crease and scoring became unusually slow. Gregory joined him and banged Tyldesley to leg for four. Gilligafi, bowling with the breeze, got pace off the wicket. Gregory drove him for four and reached the twenties. At 474 Hearne re- 1 placed Tyldesley, whose average was none for 108. Gregory, by forceful hitting got into the forties, scoring faster than Hartkopf. Tlie Latter gave a difficult chance at fiften to S.uteeliffe in the outfield off Hearne. Gregory went out to one from Tate and Gilligan caught him. He had been batting fortyone minute's and hit six boundaries, the board reading—8 —44—499.

Oldfield was next man in, and the score reached 500 for 47 J minutes’ batting. Hartkopf, who was in the twenties, was batting soundly when the tea adjournment came. The weather became dull and threatening late in the afternoon. Oldfield was uncomfortable and there was a-lull in the scoring. Hartkopf played cautiously. Oldfield twice slipped at the crease when f?eing Gilligan and Tvldesley. Hartkopf drove Tyldesley high to the pickets, reaching 44. Then he got two off Tate, but was nearly run out. . His 50 appeared for 113 -minutes ’ play, and the board showed a total of 550 for 522 minutes’ play. Oldfield became more confident and Gilligan was at a loss for bowlers. Hartkopf and Oldfield continued to gather runs, Oldfield playing Tate admirably. The bowler tried- a new ball at 57(1 and Hartkopf square cut him and entered the seventies, Oldfield having 30 to-liis credit. Gilligan tried Douglas, only to see Oldfield Snick him for one and then cut Tate to the boundary: VI There was deafening applause when Hartkopf brought the total to 500, breaking the world’s record for a test match, viz., the score of 589 established in 1912 at Melbourne by England. After playing a brilliant innings for 80 Hartkopf was caught by Chapman, having batted 166 minutes .and hitting eight fours. Mailey did not last long. He made

one and the innings closed for COO. Stumps were tlieu drawn. Details:— AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Strudwiek, b Tate .... 9 Bardsley, c Strudwiek, b. Gilligan, 19 A. Richardson, run out ........... 14 Ponsford, b Tate 128 Taylor, run out i -72 Y. Richardson, run out 13S Kelleway, c Strudwiek, b Gilligan 32 Hartkopf, e Chjapman, b Gilligan ~ SO Gregory, c Gilligan, b Tate ...... 44 Oldfield, not out 39 Mailey, lbw, b Douglas ......."... 1 Extras 24 Total . 600 x f®*; Bowling analysis. —Tate took three wickets for 142, Gilligan three for 114, Douglas one for 95, Tyldesley none for 130, Hearne none for 69,-Wo.olley none for 26. “ ••

OPTIMISM IN BRITAIN. ' e * LONDON, Jan.' 1. Sid Barnes, writing ,in the Daily Chronicle, says those who have no experience of Australian wickets have not the faintest idea how perfect they can be. A perfect wicket on a perfect Australian day is a tremendous advantage, but there is no reason why England should be downhearted. “We have seen the' usual tactics of Australians digging themselves in,” he adds. - “Gilligan semes to have captained the side intelligently and haS not overworked the best bowlers. Remembering the final innings at Sydney, I am hopeful that the Australian total will not be beyond the English powers.”. , 1 Wilson, writing-in the Daily Express, says: “It is generous of Gilligan to give Douglas a new ball. Douglas’ swerve, except in sultry weather, is seldom effective in Australia.”

ENGLISHMEN IN AFRICA. CAPETOWN, Jan.' 2. England made 285 against South Africa. Parker did not bat owing'to an injury to his foot. South Africa has lost two wickets for 66 runs (Catterall 7, Susskind 19). ;