CRICKET.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 February 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

FIFTH TEST. AUSTRALIA OPENS. INAUSPJCHOUS START. .1 Y CARL B- PH ESS ASSOCIATION-COPY RIGHT SYDNEY, Feb. 27. The fifth of the resent series of cricket tests and the hundred and ninth match between England and Australia commenced to-day in fine, cool weather. ’1 he wicket was in perfect condition and the outfield was good. A strong southerly wind was blowing down the pitch. Collins’ itiek so far as the spin of the coin was concerned was again in. Australia batted first, and at the close of the day had lost seven wickets for 239. When Gilligan Jed his men into the field the attendance was in the vicinity of 10,000. Australia made an inauspicious opening, losing three good wickets before lunch for (54 runs. Eight minutes after the commencement, in Gilligaiiks first over, Collins just snicked a ball, which iSlrudwiek, standing well hack, received.

Gregory and Ryder kept their end Up for it time, but the scoring was siow. Botli played cautiously and hit only loose ones. When the total was 53 Ryder hit a ball to square leg and ran. Tate fielded smartly and Strudwiek had the hails tflf before Gregory got- half-way up the pitch. It was a doubtful run. but if Gregory had moved smartly lie would probably have got home. He had batted fifty-four minutes for 59.

Ryder played soundly and used his weight to advantage. He possesses a nice late cut, with which he frequently finds gaps in slips. Andrews and Taylor went for every possible run, and both had many narrow escapes from being stumped. The century took 116 minutes to hoist.

When Ponsiord and Kippax became associated Australia's prospects began to look brighter. Neither took risks, but hit hard at anything loose. Kilner and Woolley bowled with only one slip, and both batsmen obtained many runs bv means of the late cut. When the hoard showed 173 Kippax was nearly run out. He just readied the crease in time. Both gained confidence as the afternoon, progressed and took greater liberties, but the English fielding, especially that of Sandham in the outfield, was good. The attendance reached 20,000, and Ponsford and Kippax made play more lively. The partnership reached 100 in ninety minutes. When 193 runs were up Ponsford returned a fast low one to Tate, which iust touched the latter’s fingers. Three runs later Hendren missed an awkward one-hancl catch off him in slips. Most of the attack was entrusted to Kilner and Tate, both of whom maintained an excellent length. Gilligan and Hearne proved ineffective against Ponsford and Kippax. When the former wtis 58 he wits missed by Whysnll at second slip.

Kippax batted 101. minutes for his -12. He hit one four. Ponsford, on the whole, showed good judgment in playing his strokes, his chances being mostly mis-hits. His partnership with Kipax yielded 105. • During the last hour of play the skv clouded over and the light was not too good. The English fielding became more lax than usual. The men seemed to allow more balls to slip past and to miss more catches. * They also appeared to wait for the ball instead of running to meet it.

Ponsford hatted 140 minutes, being caught at 80. He hit six fours. At 1 5.30 an appeal against the light was upheld, and stumps were drawn with the score at 239 for the loss of seven wickets. , Details:

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Strudwiek, h Gilligan ... 1 Ryder, b Kilner 29 Gregory, run out 29 Andrews, e Whysnll, b Kilner 26 Taylor, e Whysnll, b Tate 35 Ponsford, c Woolley, b Kilner .80 Kippax, b Kilner 42 Kelleway, not out 9 Oldfield, not out 0 Extras 8 Total (for seven wickets) 239 TOUR OF VICTORIANS. MATCH WITH CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH. Feb. 27. The Victorian cricketers commenced a match against Canterbury t-o-day in fine weather and on a fast wicket. Canterbury batted all day, and at the drawing of stumps had lost six wickets for 351. Details: CANTERBURY. First Innings. Blunt, h Wallace 0 Gregory, c; Ellis, b Hartkopf 28 Crawford, c and b Austin 70 Talbot, c Jjiddicutt. b Millar 2 Cox, c Mayne, I) Wallace 82 Patrick, c Austin, b Hartkopf 96 Olliver, not out 48 Boon, not out 6 Extras 19

Total for six wickets 351 NAPIER. Feb. 27. In view of the fact, that Nelson, the premier minor association', has not been given a game against the Victorian cricketers, the Hawke’s Bay Association has generously decided to invite three Nelson- players to join in the Hawke’s Bay team to meet tl j visitors. RTVERLE.A v. K A PONG A. A team representing Kaponga visited Riverlea on Thursday afternoon, and in a well contested game with the home team were defeated by seven rains. In the first and second innings respectively the Riverlea players made 4(5 and 78, totalling 124, as against Knponga ’s (50 and 57, totalling 117. For the winners. D. Gibson, with IS runs, was the only home, player to reach double figures, in the first, innings, his second bringing his total to 2.'!. .T. Webby 1 and 20, .T. -Gibson 2 and 17 and B. Webby 0 and 13 were also prominent in securing the home side’s total. Highest, figures for the match were compiled by, D. Fitzgerald, (Kaponga). who ran up 20 in the first innings, but in the second was caught out without any addition. Next, in order among the Kaponga batsmen were D. Betts 13 and 9, and Parker 2 and 14. V. Betts (Kaponga), who took six wickets in the first and three in the second innings, was the, most successful bowler.

Refreshments were provided by Mr and Mrs D. Gibson, on whose grounds the match whs plqyed, appreciation of the hospitality extended being suitably expressed on behalf of the visitors by Mr Wi B. Feafoh.