First Test Begins

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 297, 1 December 1928, Page 3

First Test Begins

Englishmen Give a Dull Display

Irommonger Treated Cautiously

Total, Five for 272

[United Press Assn.—By Cable—Copyright.] [Australian and New Zealand Press Association.]

Brisbane, Nov. 30. The weather was ideal for the first test between Australia and England. Ryder sjnin the coin at 11.30 and Chapman won the toss. Many officials and players with cameras faced the captains. The wicket had a bleached appearance and was hard and fast. Forty pressmen were present, including Fender (England), Macartney, Mailey, Clem Hill and Armstrong as special correspondents.

The match began at 12.4 o'clock. Hobbs, with a green-lined hat, opened with Sutcliffe, who was bare headed. The game was without incident until a few minuts before luncheon, when, off a short-pitched ball from Gregory, Sutcliffe was caught brilliantly by Ponsford at deep leg. The total stood at 85 runs, which took 85 minutes.

The Australian fielding at this stage was moderate. Grimmett’s bowling was collared, the wicket being unsuitable for slow bowlers. Gregory’s fast palls were rising high. There was a strong off-field for Kelleway’s bowling and for Gregory’s the traditional slips. Many singles was the outstanding feature of the Hobbs-Sutcliffe partnership, which was unattractive because of the overcautious display by these batsmen. Ironmonger’s bowling kept the batsmen steady. When trying for a third run off a strike by Mead, Bradman returned the ball to Oldfield from the off and Hobbs was run out, his forty-nine taking 95 minutes. He hit only six fours. Jardine wearing an Oxford University Harlequin cap. quartered pink, buff and blue, provoked cheers. He is a graceful batsman, with artistic strokes. The cap earned him a sure “rainbow.” KELLEWAY CONSISTENT. Ironmonger, a left-hander, was treated cautiously by the batsmen. Although of medium pace, his bowling has excellent length, with a break and. spin. The field was placed on the off side in a semi-cucie tor him. It took 163 minutes to reach 15U. Kelleway was bowling consistently throughout, sendmg down 11 overs, for 18 runs, between luncheon and tea. The game was deadly dull and the spectators impatients over the monotonous exhibition. The batsmen were unenterprising, allowing loose balls to pass them. Off Grimmett Oldfield failed badly to stump Hammond when the batmsen was 38. The score was three for 160 at the tea adjournment. Hammond gave an easy catch to Woodfull at point shortly after tea. His runs took 95 minutes, including two fours! JARDINE SOMNOLENT. There are indications of stale cricket, the play not being marked bv one bright stroke. Jardine promised well with his opening strokes, but became seized with somnolence. Hendren, on joining Jardine, livened matters for a brief interval. Constant changes were made by transferring the bowlers from end to end, not more than six overs being bowled in succession. Hendren reached 21 while Jardine scored seven. CHAPMAN GIVEN A FINE RECEPTION. Summed up. the game was not spectacular, but was sound cricket. The Australian bowling was well managed, with the field rather skilfully placed. The batsmen were careful, but were playing according to strict rules. There was no outstanding brilliance individually in the field. The standard was even in every department. The 200 mark was reached in 226 minutes, Jardine then being 29 and Hendren 28. Chapman had a wonderful reception when following Jardine, who took 123 minutes for 35. Gregory’s bowling gave Chapman trouble. His pace occasionally was terrific, with the ball rising fast. The light was treacherous at 5.15, when the stand shadow was crossing the wicket. Two successive fours by Chapman after Hendren had given a fine display were loudly cheered. Subsequently both batsmen gave a fine exhibition scoring nt a great rate and on all sides of the wicket. The peak attendance was 25,000. The detailed scores are as follow:— ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, run out 49 Sutcliffe, c Ponsford, b Gregory 38 Mead, 1.b.w., b Gribbett 8 Hammond, c Woodfull, b Gregory 44 Jardine, c Woodfull, b Ironmonger 35 Hendren, not out 52 Chapman, not out 39 Extras 7 Total for five wickets .... 272 INCOME TAX WORRIES. London, Nov. 30. News that Chapman had won the toss was received at 1.45 o’clock this morning. The “Daily Express” simutaneously published an amusing cable from Ben Travers, tho dramatist (“Cuckoo in tho Nest,”) and authoi, to the effect that the English mail which arrived at Brisbane contained one solitary letter for Chapman. This was from the income tax authorities, demanding an increase in assessment. ,

Travers comments that for the Home Government to badger Chapman and at the same time expect him to win the toss must be about the .brightest thovi»Jt which has ever occurred to tje official mind.

EARLY ENGLISH COMMENT. London, Nov. 30. Clem Hill, cabling io the “Daily Telegraph. ” doubts whether the wicket will last out four days. He says it will be interesting to see how Ryder arranges the team. It is most important who will bo cover point and who will be the slip fieldsmen when Gregory is bowling. Ed adds: “It will be pleasing to watch the match strictly under M.C.C. conditions, with no covering wickets after the start and the sixmstead of eight balls adopted by the Australian Board. Why this was ever brought about I do not know, for I have never met a batsman, a bowler or a fieldsman who said he favoured it.”