SPLENDID CRICKET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 177, 27 June 1938, Page 9

SPLENDID CRICKET

BROWN’S PERFORMANCE. BRADMAN GOES FOR 18. HAMMOND’S SUPERB INNINGS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—-Copyright.) LONDON, June 25. With Australia needing only 46 runs to save the follow-on, a great day’s cricket came to an end at Lord’s on Saturday. A fine innings by Brown, who scored 140 not out, was the basis of Australia’s reply to England’s score of 494. At stumps Australia had made 299 for five wickets.

Hammond (210)' and Ames (50) reopened England’s first innings with the overnight score standing at 409 for five wickets. Hammond concluded the greatest innings of his career by scoring 240. With Bradman bowled by Verity after scoring 18, the Australians were not in a much better position than England had been after the loss of their first three wickets, particularly as they faced the prospect of losing Chipperfield who injured his finger in attempting to take a hot chance off his own bowling from Hammond. It was stated at first that he had broken his finger, but this was later deniedTt is not yet certain that lie will play to-day. Waite fielded for him on Saturday. The weather was fine and hot when England resumed their first innings. The attendance was a record, 33,800. The Australian. Associated Press representative says that, with the saving of the follow-on practically assured, Australia has gone a long way toward achieving a draw. Had Brown and Barnett not shown such determination in the last half-hour after the dismissal of Hassett and Badcock had keyed up the bowlers, outright defeat might have threatened. One of the features of the match Was the good rate of scoring maintained by each side when the positions might have justified intensive caution. Brown played with his natural confidence and was never afraid to take a four from a hall inviting it. He showed bursts of positive aggression and took many honourable bruises from Fames. The English bowling as a whole did not appear to be any better than Australia’s, though long-hops and fulltosses were less flagrant. The English field was below the Nottingham standard. It did not equal that of Australia, which was remarkably consistent.

.The - attendance would doubtless have twice as great had there been room. The AI.C.C. takes the view, in common with the English administrators, that the cost of expansion would be too great ,to provide’for. the crowd that could be expected only every fourth summer. Hammond and Amos both scored freely for the first 20 minutes. McCormick lacked yesterday’s fire, one ball striking Hammond’s elbow and causing a temporary stoppage. Ames was content to keep up his end for Hammond, the pair adding 43 in halt an hour. HAMMOND BOWLED.

A well-pitched-up ball in McCormick’s twelfth over rooted up Hammond’s leg stump. His innings had lasted for <370 minutes. He gave two extremely hot chances. His score included 82 fours and was the greatest innings of his career, compiled with classic grace. His straight driving was immensely powerful® It was later announced that his arm was severely bruised, necessitating strappings, O’Reilly returned when the score was 472 and got Verity in his first over after 20 minutes of dull- defence, i O’Reilly set a leg trap with no slip for the tall, powerful Wellard, who slammed the first ball to the boundary. He was caught next over when he' skied one to deep mid-on. Ames tried to keep the strike, but Fleetwood-Smith caught him in two minds whether to play forward to a leg-break. Ho was well taken by McCormick at first slip. Aides batted for three hours and three-quarters, giving a chancele's and mostly restrained display, including ten fours. The crowd shook with laughter at the ferocious attempts of Wright and Fames to hit the slow bowlers until a leg-break shattered Wright’s wicket. AUSTRALIANS OPEN.

Fingleton and Brown opened Australia’s first innings 25 minutes before iuuch to Fames and Wellard and wore the shine off the now ball. After lunch Fames was faster, and one delivery struck Brown in the stomach. Fifty runs were up in 40 minutes after a comfortable start. Wellard, who appeared to lack accuracy, was played with ease. Fingleton was going nicely after an hour’s batting when lie finally snicked the ball from. Wright straight to Hammond at fine slip. Bradman began crisply against the high speed attack from Fames. He played Verity so comfortably for the first three overs that it was a shock to see him play a hall on as a result of attempting a cut after a stay of one hour. Tho ball 5 that dismissed Bradman seemed,to come quicker-from the pitch than was expected and the batsman failed to get properly on to it. Verity was accorded an ovation at the end of the over.

Brown meanwhile was playing steadily'and cautiously. McCabe opened with his usual brightness. He hooked a rising long-hop from Wellard to square-leg for six and raised the score to 150 in two hours. Fames was rewarded with McCabe’s wicket when the batsman cut him hard, straight and low to point. Verity held a brilliant catch. McCabe hit one six and five fours. ■ . HASSETT’S FAST BATTING.

Hassett sent tho score along at an excellent rate and Australia’s position at tea, though insecure, was a little happier. Edi-ich had a brief turn at bowling without success. Hassett when 32 gave a difficult chance off Fames to Wellard, while Brown when 99 was nearly bowled by Wellard. Brown’s hundred took 195 minutes. With the total at 231 Brown was struck in the neck, but soon recovered. Both he and Hassett played many dazzling shots off all the bowlers. Hasset& square drove Wellard for a powerful four, but was out the same over. His admirable and versatile innings included six fours. Badcock deflected a ball from Wellard to the wicket and the crowd roared.

Brown and Barnett played out time, the latter, after a shaky start, defending resolutely. Brown was at the wickets for 265 minutes for a chanceless display which included 15 fours: Australia need only 46 to save the follow-on. ' . , Details: — ENGLAND. First Innings. Hutton, c Brown, b McCormick ... 4 Edrich, b McCormick ... ._ U Barnett, c Brown, b McCormick ... 18 Hammond, b McCormick ... ... 240 Payhter, lbw, b O’Reilly - ..: ... 99 Compton, Ibw, b O’Reilly . ... ... 6 Ames, c McCormick, b FleetwoodSmith .... .... 33 Verity, b O’Reilly • .... >5

Wellard, c McCormick, b O’Reilly 4 Wright, b Fleetivood-Smith, 6 Fames, not out ... 5 • Ei.tras ... ... ••• ... 24 Total 494 Fall of wickets.—One for 12, 2 for 20, 3 for 31, 4 for 253, 5 for 271, i for 457, 7 for 472, 8 for 476, 9 for 483, BOWLING ANALYSIS.

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Fingleton, c Hammond, b Wright 31 Brown, not out 140 Bradman, b Verity 18 AlcCabe, c Verity, b Fqrnes ... 38 Hassett, lbw, b Wellard 56 Badcock, b Wellard 0 Barnett, not out 6 Extras ... 10

Total (for 5 wickets) 299 Fall of wickets.—One for 69, 2 for 101, 3 for 152, 4 for 276, 5 for 276. Bowling analysis.—Fames took 1 wicket for 99 runs; Wellard, 2 for 67; Wright, 1 for 59; Verity, 1 for 59; Edrich, 0 for 5. -

0. M. It. W. McCormick 27 1 101 4 McCabe ... ... 31 4 86 0 Fleetwood-Smith 35 5 139 2 O’lleilly 37 6 93 4 Ghipperfield 9 0 51 • 0 McCormick bowled nine no-balls.