FIGHTING SPIRIT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1928, Page 5

FIGHTING SPIRIT

DISPLAYED BY AUSTRALIANS,

FOUR WICKETS FOR 339 RUNS.

A REMARKABLE RECOVERY.

(DniW Press Association—By Electric Telegrapf

Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) SYDNEY, Dec. 19. A remarkable recovery by the Australia batsmen was the feature of today’s test cricket. The side had made 339 runs for the loss of four wickets ■when stumps were drawn. Woodfull and Hendry both passed the century, while the Australian captain, Ryder, was 77 not out.

Next hall Hendry tried to play Tate to the on, but it struck on his pad and he was out leg before. He had played a great knock during three hours 53 minutes and hit seven fours. The panadded 215 and- had Macartney and Woodfull’s second wicket record of 235 in . sight when they were separated. They revealed that the Australians still possess a fighting spirit when their hacks are against tho wall. Kippax and Woodfull had added another 19 runs when the Victorian played Tate back slightly to the off. The Victorian ran through but Kippax did not start. Woodfull turned when in the middle of the pitch, but Tate’sthrow to Duckworth easily heat him. It was an inglorious ending to a fine, sound and llawless innings lasting four hours IS minutes, in which he hit six fours. He always got well behind the ball and drove with power. It looked as if Australia had expended her fighting qualities, for Kippax soon went leg before. A ball from Tate came through fast and low and the batsman tried to turn it to the on, but missed.

Ryder andNothling made another fine stand. The captain was particularly aggressive. Coming out to the bowling he I drove with tremendous power, causing Chapman to place three fieldsmen on the boundary. Ryder lifted Hammond over the fence at long on. He ran to fifty in 36 minutes. Nothling, who is generally a hard-hit-ting batsman, was- content to keep his end up whilst his comrade fiercely smacked th© bowling. Ryder is at his best when going for runs. His off strokes were powerful and well placed. Larwood left the field suffering from chafed toes. His bowling -had-_ not terrorised the Australians to-day. Ryder quietened down as the light faded. Four appeals were made regarding the light, stumps being drawn at 5.52, Ryder and Nothling still being together. Though the Australians have to make 44 runs to save an innings defeat their great fight delighted everyone. They gave the best Australian display of the test and showed that the English bowling, though good, can be mastered. Had Woodfull not been unluckily run _ out they possessed a great chance of giving the Englishmen a good number to get in the second innings. Tato took all three wickets, which went to the bowler’s credit for 90 runs, but none was very dangerous except at intervals. The attendance was- 14,000 and the receipts £I2OO. The scores are : ENGLAND. First Innings . ~....',636 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 253 Second Innings. Richardson, c Hendren, b Tate ...... 0 Woodfull, run out —b... HI Hendry, 1.b.w., b Tate 112 Kippax, 1.b.w., b Tat© 10 Ryder, not out —....—?7 Nothling, not out 20 Extras 9 Total (for four wickets) 339 Commencing on an excellent wicket and in pleasant weather, Hendry and Woodfull soon got on top of Hie bowling. Despite frequent changes of Larwood, Tate, Geary and White, they were rarely at fault. • Once. Hendry narrowly escaped being stumped . off Tate. Then he glanced, cut, drove to the on and off in beautiful fashion. It was about the best innings he has played on the Sydney cricket ground. __ Woodfull was not quite so dazzling, but was very sound. With splendid drives Hendry reached his first century in test cricket in three hours 22 minutes, and soon afterwards Woodfull also had three figures, taking three hours 59 minutes. •

COMMENTS OF. CRITICS,

LONDON, Dec. IS.

In the midst of the justified rejoicings at England’s record innings, Australia’s ill-luck finds a prominent.place in the Press. “Plum”. Warner says there will be certain changes in the third test. Bradman and A’Beckett are strong candidates and Kelleway will' probably be fit.. _ _ ' . Tennyson says it is a wonderful tribute to the sporting character of the Australians that they should flock to witness England’s triumph and accord a deserved ovation. “We are all grateful to the Australians for their impartial enthusiasm,” Tennyson says. “Every lover of cricket in view of their hard luck, would like to see the Australians make a big score in their second innings.” . Tennyson is greatly eulogistic of Blackie, who “bowled like a hero, an amazing feat for one of Ms age.”. . Clem Hill is whole-hearted in. his praise of the. batsmen, and adds that it has been made, obvious that the bowlers even when, fresh are mot dangerous, and when they are tired whatever sting they might have had disappeared.