A DRAWN MATCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 72, 24 February 1937, Page 9

A DRAWN MATCH

PLAY AT MELBOURNE. BOWLERS IMPRESS. PRACTICE FOR ENGLISHMEN. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (By J. B. Hobbs.—Copyright in all countries.—Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 23The match between Victoria and England reopened at noon to-day in bright weather after a blank Monday. A draw was practically a foregone conclusion. In the early stages it appeared as if we were in for a dull day’s cricket, each side using the chance of getting such practice as it could —Victoria in batting and England muscle-loosening in the field. But the new ball was no sooner taken by the fast bowlers juf/o before lunchtime, than life crept into the proceedings and things began to happen. In quick time four wickets fell. Ames took three catches at the wicket. One, that which dismissed Hassett, was a particularly line one. Hassett, in trying to fevee a goodlength ball outside the off stump through the covers, turned it in the direction of first slip, though it is a moot point whether it would have carried so far. Ames Hung out his right hand and found that the ball stuck. Ross Gregory was unlucky to get one from Copson that rose sharply and he couldn’t get away from it. Ledward was caught off a weak hook shot, which he spooned to short leg. Pearson was Ames’s third victim through flicking a good-length ball from Bill Voce that swung away.

The game swung round to promise England valuable batting practice. The wicket had been toned down and was quite easy, but, as throughout the tour, the new ball made a big difference and seemed to fly.

The two youngsters, Gregory and Hassett, were rather slow to-day. The bowling was pretty good. Its length permitted no i* icrties, though once Gregory stepped out and hit one over the heads of the infielders. While he watches the ball Gregory hasn’t the power to hit it hard, except when hooking. The outfield was very slow after the recent heavy rain. Hassett completed a very good 50. He wasn’t as brisk in his strokes to-day, but one has only to see him at the wickets for a few minutes to recognise his class. He inspires confidence straight away. He and Gregory added 103 for the third wicket. I heard glowing accounts of Pearson’s batting, but he wasn’t on view long enough for me to express ail opinion: Bill Copson bowled well at lair pace. Voce worked enough to tune himself up for Friday without unduly exerting himself. Three more wickets fell, but there was unexpected resistance by the last pair, Lisle Nash knocking up a crude but useful 29. Maurice Leyland had to go on to break the partnership. Victoria gained the impressive lead of 105. I thought the opportunity would have been taken to give Bob Wyatt a show as Barnett’s partner, but Hedley Verity was again sent in, so it would appear a settled policy to let him open in the Test. Verity was out second ball, a good one from Nash, which went away and was caught in the slips. Barnett was uncomfortable against three bumpers from Nash. From one he had a lucky escape, putting the bat up blindly shoulder high and sending it over short-leg’s head. He was then dismissed by a fairly good-length one, which he tried to hit past mid-off, where there was no fieldsman, but he played too soon and was caught to the left cover.

Nash is a tearaway ■ bowler, able to make the short ball rise disconcertingly. While Barnett looks at ease with any other type of bowling he might fall to a bumper at any time, having got into the habit of flinching. On the other hand Joe Hardstaff, who went in first wicket down, stands up very well and bouncers don’t appear to worry him. He and Wally Hammond were able to indulge in some batting practice. Both looked in fine form. Allen, Fames, Worthington and Fishlock had net practice to-day at another Melbourne ground. Scores: — VICTORIA. First Innings.

Rigg, lbw, b Sims 18 Lee, run out 40 Gregory, c Ames, b Copson 86 Hassett, c Ames, b Voce ... 54 Ledward, c Barnett, b Oopson ... / Pearson, c Ames, b Voce 15 Sievers, b A’erity 6 Barnet, lbw, b Robins 7 Nash, c Barnett, b Leyland 29 Ebeling, lbw, b Sims 6 McCormick, not out 10 Extras 14 Total ... ... 292 Bowling Analysis. —AV. Copson took two wickets for 64 runs; W. R. Hammond, none for 12; AV. Voce, two lor 52; J. M. Sims, two for 76; H. Verity, one for 39; R. AV. AV. Robins, one for 34; M. Leyland, one for 1. ENGLAND. First Innings 187 Second Innings. Verity, c Sievers, b Nash ... ... ... 0 Barnett, c Lee, b Nash 11 Hardstaff, not out 60 Hammond, c Lee, b Ledward ... 56 Leyland, not out ... 5 Extras 0 Total for three wickets ... ... 132 Bowling Analysis.-—L. Nash took two wickets for 16; E. L. McCormick, none for 14; M. M. Sievers, none for 15; AV. Pearson, none for 47; R. G. Gregory, none for 22; H. I. Ebeling, none for 7; J. Ledward, one for 1; L. Hassett, none for 6 ; I. S. Lee, none for 4. SHEFFIELD SHIELD MATCH. SYDNEY, Feb. 23. 11l the Sheffield Shield match South Australia, in their second innings, have lost three wickets for 132 (Ryan 41, Bradman 38 not out, Badcock 27 not out). O’Reily took two wickets for 13. Rain stopped play and stumps were drawn at 5 p.m. New South AVales won on the first innings by 85 runs.