M.C.C. V. VICTORIA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1936, Page 5

M.C.C. V. VICTORIA

DRAW IN SIGHT

TWO CENTURIES TO HOME SIDE.

[By J. B. HOBBS. Copyright in all countries. Reproduction iff whole or m part iorbiuden.j V A

MELBOURNE, November 9

Although it seems that the Victbrian match against the Marylebone Cricket Club must end in a draw, there were many bright features in to-day’s play. The Victorian team has played itself into a safe • position in reply to England’s total of 344.

After the English bowlers had secured three early wickets, two Victorian colts—Lee, a left-hander, and Gregory, a right-hander—figured in a great partnership. Voce bowled a sensational first over to give England a flying start. It was one of those day that make one glad to be out of England’s winter fogs, biting winds, and rain, as the sun shone brilliantly, though there was a cool breeze. Fames'opened, and Rigg scored a single. Voce accounted for two of Victoria’s array of left-handers with the fifth and sixth balls of his first over. O’Brien’s dismissal was excusable, but Darling’s was a sad lapse. Voce sent down a very fast ball of good length which Darling tried to hook why, l can’t conceive. He missed completely and had the off-stump knocked back. There was plenty of life in the wicket before lunch', as the effects of Saturday’s rain had not disappeared. Fames and Allen made the baTl lift above the ordinary, though this was not so noticeable in Voce’s ease. Fames, was not as fast at the start as I have seen him in England, but this was his first chance to get properly loosened up, and he soon got into top gear. Fames bowled very well before lunch without sharing the success of Voce and Allen, although he beat the bat many times. Rigg and Lee fought back, and it was left to Allen, coming on at 25 for the first time, to get the formerwell caught at short leg by Fishlock. It took'' a long time after this for Lee and Gregory to settle down against the bowling, which was exceptionally good early. \ "

Lee at the outset looked likely to be caught in. the slips. He afterwards played well, but scarcely., as well as Gregory, who cut and hooked in go'od style. Gregory is only a ..little chap, but makes the hook., shot magnificently with the bat brought well above the shoulder. He and Lee were smart between the wickets. This is-- -refreshingy because in these days so many runs are missed.

Gregory, with a, . '.beautiful hook, brought up the 100 in 110 minutes. After both batsmen had passed the fifties, runs came freely. A hundred for the partnership was registered, and then came the 150, the 1 last 50 scored in 32 minutes. Thd bowlers lost,a hit -of their length, but several runs came from Lee through snicks that eluded the slips. The partnership of 200 was brought up with the last ball before tea, thus breaking the fourth wicket record for Victoria against England. In the last hour the hatting had improved out of all knowledge. The batsmen had eliminated snicks and were hitting the ball in the middle of the bat and getting right, on top of the bowlers. Lee and Gregory did splendidly. It was an awkward, time lor the two youngsters to come together with three wickets down for 27. After tea they made good strokes all round the wicket, hitting the ball hard. Gregory, though no relation of the Sydney Gregorys, bears a great name, and much is expected of him. Although the bowlers were tiring, the wicket had improved considerably since lunch. No balls were few. Before tea it seemed as if Allen did not worry about the situation. If so, I can quite understand it, as it seemed impossible to finish the match. Allen did not howl as well as at Adelaide, nor did Sims. Tile fielding was good, Barnett saving many runs by fine work at third man and long leg. It was not until Lee had scored 160 that he was dismissed, being cle<m bowled by Fames, who had thoroughly earned this wicket. There was a change in the weather near the end of the day. and had light and rain caused an adjournment for 25 minutes.

Scores. England, first innings—344. VICTORIA, First Tunings. L. P. O’Brien, c Worthington, b

Voce ... - • • • • • K. E. Rigg, c Fishloclc, h Allen 10 L. S. Darling, b Voce ... 0 I. ,S. Lee, b Fames ••• ••• I GO R. G. Gregory, not out ••• 109 M. W. Sievers, lhw, b Sims ... . 1 B. A. Barnett, not out ... ... 2 Extras ... ••• H

Total for five wickets

Bowling analysis—Fames, one wicket for 42 ; Voce, two wickets for 51; Sims, 6ne wicket for 58; Allen, one wicket for (14 ; Worthington, none for 42; Leyland, none for 26. AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOR TEST.

CRITICISM OF SELECTORS.

(Received this day at- 10.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, November 10. Most of the newspapers decry, the Australian eleven, and look upon it as essentially a hatting side, and extremely weak in bowling. * It is assumed the selectors were(jiot anxious to allow the Englishmen to be-

come too familiar with Grimmett, O’Reilly, and Ward. Arthur Mai lev says if the Englishmen alscf field a hatting side, the match will probably be a dull affair, a - tedious batting exhibition of a thousand

runs. * The spectators who have to foot the bill will naturally become resentful.