THE CRICKET TEST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 3 December 1932, Page 7

THE CRICKET TEST

AUSTRALIA SIX FOR 290

McCABE PASSES THE CENTURY

ACCURATE BOWLING ON BATS-

MAN’S WICKET.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, Dec. 2. In the first Test match, England v. Australia, which commenced at the Sydney Cricket Ground to-day, Australia had first use of the wickets, W. M. Woodfull having won the toss from D. It. Jardine. Six wickets had fallen for 290 runs when stumps were drawn. Although only 63 runs were scored in the ninety minutes before lunch, there were thrills aplenty for the big crowd. Woodfull, after winning the toss, accompanied Ponsford to the wicket, which was a batsman's paradise. The weather was cool, with a wind blowing across the pitch. Larwood and Voce had charge of the bowling attack. The batsmen played the former carefully but confidently, but Voce, with five fieldsmen clustered round the leg stump, made the ball fly awkwardly. After watching several bumping balls go over his head, "Woodfull swung at one, and snicked it to the wickctkeeper. Ponsford and Fingleton were both struck on the body by Larwood, but stuck gamely to their task, and were going along nicely at lunch. Fingleton had survived two leg-be-fore appeals, narrowly escaped being run out, and edged one dangerously into the slips. Ponsford. however, was always at ease, his leg glances being prettily executed. ACCURACY OF BOWLERS. The bowling was accurate, and the batsmen found difficulty in penetrating tho field. Five bowlers were used, Jardine changing the combination every four overs. Larwood shattered Ponsford's wicket in the first over after lunch. Fingleton spooned one up at forward leg in tho fast man's second over, and Kippax succumbed in the third over. Larwood then had three for 20, and, with four down for 87, Australia were in a sorry plight. In the period after lunch, Larwood captured three wickets for seven off five overs, thiee of which were maidens. It was significant that his success came when he changed from off to leg theory. It was quite apparent that this type of attack has the Australians worried. McCabe and Richardson then became associated in a bright partnership, adding 50 in forty-eight minutes, and carrying the total to 154. At the tea adjournment, Richardson was restrained, but McCabe was forceful, reaching the fence five times. VOCE ANNOYS SPECTATORS. Voce, having wounded all the batsmen but Woodfull, was hooted and counted out by tho spectators on the hill when lie continued his bumpingball tactie3. A great round of applause greeted the 100 partnership by McCabe and Richardson, who were now batting splendidly, mixing solid defence with hard driving forward of tho wicket. Whenever a shot penetrated the field and reached the boundary Jardine changed his men around. PROBABLE ROUT SAVED. When one short of the half-century Richardson fell a victim to Voce's leg trap. His was a fine fighting knock; he faced the fast bowlers with absolute confidence. He batted 113 minutes, and iiit five fours, and, with McCabe, saved Australia from a probable rout. The cheering was almost deafening when McCabe snicked Allen to the Fence, reaching his century, his first in a Test ,in 161 minutes. He hit thirteen fours, and played a chanceless innings. He drove the fast bowlers through the covers, and lifted Voce safely, over the fieldsmen's heads. McCabe and Grimmett aded 50 for the seventh wicket in 33 minutes. Tho fielding was good without being brilliant. The attendance was 46,700 and the takings £4467. The following are the scores : AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Woodfull, c Ames, b Voce ... ... 1 Ponsford, b Larwood 32 Fingleton, c Allen, b Larwood ... 26 Kippax, 1.b.w., b Larwood ... 8 McCabe, not out 127 Richardson, c Hammond, 1: Voce 49 Oldfield, c Ames, b Larwood ... 4 Grimmett, not out 17 Extras 20 Total for six wickets 290 Fall of wickets.—One for 22, two for 65, three for 82, four for 87, five for 216, six for 231. DISLIKE FOR FAST BOWLING. BRADMANS LOSS "A DISASTER." LONDON, Deo. 2. The Morning Post, in an editorial, says: "The real explanation of the failure of several of tho chief Australian cricketers is the fact that they do not like fast stuff, especially when it bumps. Bradman, whoso loss is 1 a disaster to Australia, certainly prefers medium-paced stuff that comes along half-stump high. "Remembering the hard knocks that English batsmen received in the past from Australian fast bowlers, notably the Gregory and Macdonald combination of 1922, our friendly enemies must not complain if they get an occasional dose of tho same medicine." The article concludes by warning enthusiasts that the Australian cricketers have tho gift of rising to a great occasion. "Indeed they are never so formidable as when they seem beaten."

LARWOOD PRAISED. VOCE'S STYLE CRITICISED. Received December 3, 9.30 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 2. "The Fighting Australians" is one compliment on the street placards, which are mostly laudatory of liarwood. The Evening Standard pays a high tribute to McCabe and Richardson for stopping the rot, but thinks England has every cause to feel satisfied. Mr Harris, the paper's correspondent, says Voce overdid the bumping stuff and one feared ugly events if heads were hit.

TEST MATCHES TO DATE

HONOURS WITH AUSTRALIA

To date 124 Test matches have been played between England and Australia, the latter having won 60 and the former 47, while 27 have been drawn. Sixty-seven of the matches have been played in Australia, the

home team winning 37 and England 28, two being drawn. Fifty-seven of the matches have been played in England, Australia winning 13 and England 19, while 25 have been drawn. Owing to rain, the match at Manchester in 1890 was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Australia at present holds the ashes, having won them in England in 1930 (Australia won two tests, England one, and two were drawn). In 1928-29 England in Australia won the first four of the five tests played there, the Australians winning the last by five wickets. The following table shows how the teams have fared in test matches since 1905

Won by Won by England Australia Drawn

1907-8 1 4 — 1909 1 2 2 1911-12 .... 4 1 — 1920-21 .... — 5 — 1921 — 3 2 1924-25 .... 1 4 — 1926 1 — 4 1928-29 ... 4 1 — 1930 1 2 2