FIRST TEST MATCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 5, 4 December 1928, Page 2

FIRST TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA’S POOR SHOWING. TOTAL OF 122 IN FIRST STRIKE. ENGLISHMEN AGAIN AT WICKETS. The first Test match at Brisbane, England versus Australia, witnessed the sensational collapse of the Australian eleven, who compiled only 122 in comparison with England’s 521 runs. Gregory was .absent from the Australian side owing to illness. He was replaced by Oxenham, and is not likely to play in the Test matches. There was some criticism because England followed on instead of sending Australia in, but the answer to that was that England was taking no chances, but making the best of the wicket.

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BRISBANE, Dec. 3. The weather was warmer and tho wicket good for tho resumption of the Test match, England versus Australia. Tho attendance at noon was 6000. Kelleway was absent, owing to an attack of ptomaine poisoning. Gregory has “crocked” and did not play. Play favoured England throughout. Larwood’s bowling was the feature of tho game. It was faster than Gregory’s and was on tho wicket the whole time. The field was placed on the offside, the same as for Tate. Fifty runs camo in 69 minutes. Tho Ryder-Hendry combination promised well. Roth batsmen were unflurried and were placing shots well until Hendry was disimissed. Bradman hit three successive 4’s off Hammond, and, with a 4 by Ryder off Tate, was the only bright patch. Chapman missed Grimmett in the slips off Hammond. It was about tho only real chance. Otherwise it was just a procession of Australians from the stand to tho wicket. Ironmonger’s wicket was scattered, to the batsman’s utter surprise.

Tho Australians closed their innings just on luncheon time. It was announced that Gregory was not likely to play in the Test matches. Thomson was fielding in place of Kellawaj*. Interest waned after luncheon until Hobbs was dismissed after fifteen minutes’ play. Oxenham replaced Gregory. There was some criticism because England followed instead of sending Australia in, but the answer to that was that England was taking no chances, but making tho best of the wicket. Mead, when 2, had a narrow escape, Oldfield whipping off the bails a fraction of a second too late. Grimmott’s bowling puzzled Mead, who made many scratchy strokes. The first hour yielded poor batting, Hobbs, Sutcliffe and Mead giving quiet displays. The sky was overcast at 3 o’clock and rain was threatening. Tho light was pcior. Bradman again distinguished himself. All through runs were obtained from singles mainly, Mead taking fifty minutes to get 15. The crowd was restless in consequence. Ironmonger’s bowling was extremely good throughout. Off nine overs only 10 runs were scored.

Sutcliffo skied an easy one in tho slips just before tea. His runs took 100 minutes, and included two 4’s. Hammond forced matters after tea with a variety of strokes, and two 4s’ in succession to mid-olf, bringing applause. Mead even enlivened play. The 100 took 128 minutes. There was a sprinkle of rain at 4.45, and the light was failing. There were occasional lightning flashes, with thunder, and the spectators were dispersing. Play was ssuspended at 4.47, and was resumed at 5.35. The ground was somewhat dead after the light showers, and sawdust had to be used. Play was suspended at 5.40 without addition to the scores.

The following are the detailed scores:— AUSTRALIA.

First Innings. Ponsford, b Larwood 2 Woodful, o Chapman, b Larwood ... 0 Kippax, c and b Tato ’ 16 Kelleway, b Larwood 8 Hendry, J.b.w., b Larwood 30 Ryder, c Jardine, b Larwood 33 Bradman, 1.b.w., b Tato 18 Oldfield, 1.b.w., b Tato 2 Grimmett, not out 7 Ironmonger, b Larwood 4 Extras 2 Total 122 Gregory did not bat.

The wickets fell as follow:—Five for 71; six for 101; seven for 105; eight for 116; nine for 122. ENGLAND. First innings ■ 521 Second Innings. Hobbs, 1.b.w., b Grimmett 11 Sutcliffe, o Oxenhatn, b Ironmonger 32 Mead, not out 40 Hammond, not out 19 Extra 1 Total for two wicket 3 103 The wickets fell as follow:—One for 25; two for 65.

M.C.C. TEAM’S AVERAGES.

ENGLISH COMMENT. AUSTRALIA NEEDS NEW BLOOD. ' (Australian Press Association. LONDON, Dec. 3. Hon. L. H. Tennyson, writing in the Daily Chronicle, states: “One thing is certain, and that is that the Australian selectors will have to call on new blood. It will make the Tests interesting.” P. F. Warner writing in the Morning Post states: “I prophesy that Larwood will some day go in first for England, and thereby emulate the feats of Jackson, Rhodes and Barlow, of Lancashire, who all enjoyed the distinction of batting and bowling first for England. Given freedom from illness and accident, Larwood obviously is destined to become one of the greatest cricketers. England is in an overwhelming strong position, but wo must not begin to shout. The Australians are great fighters by temperament and tradition. Their cricket history is a shining example of courage in tight corners.” SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. ADELAIDE, Dec. 3. In the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and South Australia, the visitors in the first innings made 344 (Onyons 166, Scaife 69, Willis 47). Williams took six wickets for 132. Victoria followed on, and in the second innings had 51 for no wickets when stumps were drawn. South Australia made 582 in the first innings.

GILLIGAN’S MEN. The following are the results of the five Test! matches played in Australia on the occasion of the last English visit in 1924-5: Sydney.—Australia, first innings 400, second innings 452. England, first innings 298, second innings 411. Australia won by 195 runs. Melbourne. —Australia, first innings 600, second innings 250. England, first innings 479, second innings 290. Australia won by 81 runs. Adelaide.—Australia, first innings, 489, second innings 250. England, first innings 365, second innings 363. Australia won by 11 runs. Melbourne. —Australia, first innings 269, second innings 250. England, first innings 548. England won by an innings and 29 runs. Sydney. —Australia, first innings 295, second innings 325. England, first innings 167, second innings 146. Australia won by 307 runs. The runs scored by both teams in these matches were: —First Test 1611, Second Test 1619, third Test 1467, fourth test 1067, fifth Test 933.

At the beginning of the Test match tho averages of the English team were : BATTING.

BOWLING ANALYSIS. Overs. Maidens. Runs. Wkts. Larwood ... 14.4 4 32 6 Tate ... 21 6 50 3 Hj mmond ... 15 0 38 0

In. N.O. H.S. Runs. Av. W. R. Hammond 4 0 225 384 96.00 E. P. Hendren ... 4 0 167 361 90.25 D. R. Jardine ... 5 0 140 372 74.40 M. Levlar.d 7 2 114 301 60.20 J. B. Hobbs 6 1 *67 296 59.20 A. P. F. Chapman 5 0 145 293 58.60 H. Sutcliffe 7 0 76 348 49.71 H. Larwood 3 0 79 135 45.00 C. P. Mead 8 3 *58 219 43.80 M. W. Tate 3 1 59 81 40.50 G. Geary 4 2 *32 80 40.00 E. Tyldesley 6 0 69 173 28.33 L. Ames 3 0 36 71 23.66 A. P. Freeman ... 3 1 17 34 17.00 G. Duckworth ... 3 2 *4 8 8.00 J. C. White 6 2 20 23 5.75 BOWLING. Wkfcs. Runs. Aver. G. Geary . 10 218 21.80 J. C. White . 18 405 22.50 M. W. Tato . 11 312 28.36 H. Larwood . 13 387 29.76 A. P. Freeman . 17 520 30.58 D. R. Jarine . 1 58 38.00 W. It. Hammond . . 5 309 61.80 M. Levland 3 228 76:00 C. P. Mead . 0 11 — II. Sutcliffe .. 0 18 — E. P. Hendren .... .. 0 21 —