VICTORIA OPENS AGAINST ENGLAND

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6849, 2 March 1929, Page 9

VICTORIA OPENS AGAINST ENGLAND

TOOTS WICKETS FOB 346. DABLING, GIVES MOST BEILLIANT DISPLAY. United Press Association—By Eleetrie Telegraph—Copyright. Beceived Friday, 8.25 p.m. MELBOUBNE, March 1.

Play in the match, England versus Victoria, commenced in perfect weather on an excellent wicket.

Byder won the toss. Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Duckworth and White were omitted from the English team and Mead is twelfth man.

Tho opening stages were very dull, only seven runs coming in 22 minutes, when Onyons was splendidly caught at short stop by Ames off Larwood. Hendry, when at 19, went out to a bad stroke off Freeman and was easily stumped. Byder had a particularly fine reception, which was a great tribute to his test performances. The half-century w6s reached in 68 minutes. Chapman was frequently under notice for his splendid fielding at short leg. Byder was very enterprising after lunch, adding 20 in 16 minutes, with grand drives and pulls. Woodfull then got a move on and brought up the Century after 116 minutes’ play. Ames sustained an injured finger and retired, Jardine taking the gloves and Mead fielding. Woodfull reached 50 after batting for two hours, Byder getting a similar number in 69 minutes.

When at 51, Byder was badly missed by Larwood at mid-on off Freeman. In the same over, be hit a grand sixer and was then caught' left hand by Mead (substitute) near the boundary. He had batted 72 minutes for 60, including one six and six fours and again gave a fine display. Darling and Young, tho left-hander, batted neatly and made vigorous strokes but WoSdfull was content to play quietly. After the tea interval Darling reached' 50 in 79 minutes. Woodfull shortly after reached his century. There was then some very free batting, 150 being added in 100 minutes. Darling, playing brilliantly, made the bowling look cheap. The third century was brought up in 249 minutes. Seventeen was scored off one of Leyland’s overs. When at 140, Woodfull had made the highest score for Victoria in a game against England. The previous rccordj by Mac Alister, having stood for 2d yeafs. . -cr Darling gave a great display. He batted 116 minutes-and bit eight fours. His partnership realised 181. A’Beckett was confident but Woodfull was very tired. Ho bad batted all day being in for 281 minutes and hit 13 fours.

The attendance was 6000 and the gate takings £686.

VICTORIA.—First Innings. Woodful, not out Onyons, c Ames, b Larwood .. >1 Hendry, st Ames, b Freeman .... 19 Ryder, e Mead sub., b Freeman .. 60 Dariing, b Tate ®" A'Beckett, not out 14 Extras " Total four for ... .... •«: .»• 346