Leyland Saves the Day For England

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 288, 5 December 1936, Page 4

Leyland Saves the Day For England

Disastrous Start by M.C.C. in First

Cricket Test

Stumps Finds Six Wickets Down For 263

(By J. B. Hobbs—Copyright in all Countries—Reproduction in Whole or Part Forbidden.) Received Friday, 11.15 p.m. BRISBANE, Dee. 4.

the wicket on the leg side off O’Reilly, who had bowled 11 overs at a cost of 15 runs.

If Barnett and Leyland had failed, I don’t know where England should have been. Leyland was doggedness itself, like George Hirst, Besides taking those two catches on the leg side, Oldfield kept wickets magnificently. McCormick Always Dangerous. England’s bad start was duo to aggressive bowling by McCormick, who took advantage of the life in the wicket, but didn’t bowl unduly short, though he always looked dangerous. The weather was unsettled early, but gradually improved and was mildly sunny all the afternoon. After tea, Ames cut Ward’s first ball for four, but off the second was easily caught in the slips. Misjudging the length, he played forward, instead of. back.

England, after a shocking start in the first Test, recovered well, thanks greatly to Leyland. McCormick, opening with ,tho wind over his left shoulder, started sensationally. lie sent down a shortish one that got up chest-high. Worthingtou tried to hook it, but the ball hit his glove or wrist and rebounded oil his chest for an easy catch by the wicketkeeper. It was McCormick’s first ball in a Test against England. Fagg was practically the opening batsman after all. Allen’s move to put Worthington in first failed completely. 1 shouldn’t have changed Fagg, as Worthington is more used to batting lower down.

Sievers opened at the pavilion end, the wind slightly helping him to swing away. It was over 110 minutes before Barnett scored, but he hadn’t had much bowling. In McCormick’s third over he made a nice cut between point and the gully to the boundary. A couple ot balls later he edged one along the ground wide of second slip for another tour. Bradman promptly took one of his short-legs away and put him in at third slip. Off the very next ball Barnett executed a square cut to the same place as the first, which hit the fence, it isn’t often that a batsman brings out such brilliant strokes so early. Barnett cut one from Sievers past cover for a couple to give him 15 in a row, Fagg remaining at four. Smart Catch by Oldfield. The first ball of McCormick’s fourth over, outside the batsman’s legs, Fagg tried to glide, but was well caught by Oldfield, moving over wide on leg side. I thought McCormick was again fortunate, for the ball wasn’t worthy of the wicket. Our great Hammond, amid screams and delirious cheers ail round the ground, was, to our dismay, out first ball. It was a last shortish one on or just outside the leg stump and reared up on his body. Hammond half flinched, putting the bat up to protect himself and lobbed the ball to fine short-leg.

Leyland just became top scorer with 71 when, trying to force Ward away with a short arm hook, he should have been caught easily by the bowler. Just after lunch he had also been missed off Ward at short leg. It was a difficult chance. Hardstaff was properly on trial, and I was delighted to see him make the flight. He got off the mark at once, but was 35 minutes before scoring again. Leyland continued stolidly after tea, although he was always ready to drive anything over-pitched. He completed ms century with a straight drive off McCabe, who, along with Sie\‘Crs, had taken the new ball. Leyland has been amazingly consistent lately, but I have never been more struck by liis lighting qualities than to-day, when he came in with three wickets down for 20. It was a real test, aud this innings of his must be put down among the most valuable he has ever played. Measured by the clock, it was slow batting, but one couldn’t expect anything else after the miserable start. Barnett and Leyland fortunately stopped the rot, and a desperate position was somewnat retrieved. It was a poor score in view of the tail, but it might have been worse. One feature pleases ulo to report—we haven’t collapsed against slow bowling. Bradman was handicapped by the enforced retirement of McCormick. The wicket toned down after luucn and played perfectly. O’Reilly was difficult lo score off, but never looked deadly. Ward aud Ckipperlicld were played easily. Detailed scores:—

Leyland prevented the hat trick. The snag in winning the toss at Brisbane is that the wicket may play lively the first day before lunch, as to-day. McCormick was übio to make any ball of short length rear high. In the lifts over he hit Leyland ou the shoulder. The spectators were excited and wanted still more wickets. Bradman did a bold thing in taking McCormick, off when he had bowled five overs for 17 runs and three wickets, replacing him with O’Reilly. The temptation was to let him bowl himself right out. J. should have given him another over. He was so full of vim, but-probably Bradman rested him because lie had a pain in his back. This was evident when ho did not bowl immediately after lunch.

ENGLAND. First Innings. Worthington, c Oldfield, b McCor- - mick U Barnett, e Oldfield, b O’Reilly .. 09 Fagg, e Oldfield, b McCormick .. 4 Hammond, c Robinson, b McCormick 0 Leyland, b Ward 120 Ames, c Chipperlield, b Ward .... 24 Hardstaff, not out 27 Robins, not out .. .. 0 Extras V Total for six wickets 203 Full of the wickets: One for 0, two for 20, three for 20, four for El 9, five for 102, six for 252. Bowling Analysis.

Barnett was beaten when rcachiug forward towards tho ball, but he hit towards long-off for six in the same over, and the next ball flashed past cover for four. We wondered what Barnett would be like in Australia, because we knew him to bo impetuous, lu common with others, I erred in thinking him purely a hitter. Now 1 am full of admiration for him; lie has quietened down and become a battler without sacrificing brilliance. When his partnership with Leyland had produced 99, Barnett was caught at

0. M. u. W McCormick .. .. 8 1 26 3 Sievors O 42 0 O'Keilly 7 57 .1. Ward i 1)7 L! Ciiippcrlieid .. ., 0 24 0 McCabe O 0 10 0