Only Miracle Can Save England

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 3, 5 January 1937, Page 7

Only Miracle Can Save England

Bradman in Form at Last

WORLD’S RECORD CROWD AT TEST

(By J. B. Hobbs.—Copyright in all countries.—Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.)

Received Monday, 9.5 p.m. MELBOURNE, Jan. 4.

All Melbourne—or rather all Australia—were wondering how the wicket was going to play to-day. I was one of those intensely curious. Another huge crowd assembled. I thought with ail Saturday’s rain and the absence of sun yesterday the wicket would not have a chance to dry, but a persistent wind did the trick, also the extra ten minutes’ rolling allowed on Sunday helped. At first the ball got up, but not above the batsmen’s thighs, and the blows they received were due chiefly to refusal to take a risk by putting the bat to the ball.

Fleetwood-Smith went quickly, never shaping like getting runs. Whrd was badly missed as second slip by Sims off the second ball of Voce's second over. That lost England half an hour, the bowlers having to waste some good deliveries on him that might have captured a better batsmen. Ward stayed on while 8 were scored.

Rigg meanwhile had started playing the ball in the middle of the bat and he and Brown stayed till lunch. The only time England looked like getting a wicket during that period was when Brown edged a riser between first and second slip. The wicket gradually improved at the interval and though it was certainly on the slow side, it looked quite good. I then saw little prospect of dismissing Australia for a small score. The batsmen started off after lunch with confidence, but only 12 were added when Brown was caught through hooking Voce straight into Barnett's hands at square leg. Australian batsmen can’t resist a hook shot.

Rigg executed an elegant cover drive early that would have been an easy four but for the slow outfield and smart chasing by Robins. I’m told that Rigg is not usually a good starter, but he got away well enough to-day and looks a fine player. I particularly like his free use of his arms and wrists. Ho was dismissed under the new l.b.w. rule by Sims when 47. I was sorry to see him miss his half-century, but I must say Sims had earned his wicket because in the previous over he had completely beaten him with a googly that went for three byes. England’s fielding hereabouts was brilliant, Robins and Worthington putting in much good work. The running between wickets by Fingleton and Bradman was smart. Play now sparkled. Voce was bowling with all his heart and was eager to dismiss Bradman. England sensed that with another couple of wicket, they would be in the running again. A vivid flash of lightning caused a murmur from the crowd, who hoisted umbrellas or covered their heads with papers. As rain fell twice the players started to leave the field but got only half-way, being recalled. Five minutes later they had to retire for nearly aquarter of an hour. For the first time in a test this season we caught a glimpse of the real Bradman during Voce’s first over after resumption. He hooked a late cut to the boundary, sent a three past extra cover and hit two off a no-ball, compiling 13 in the over. Allen’s first ball was hit for three, Bradman adding 16 in nine balls, when the players again had to scamper to the pavilion and the bowlers had to contend with a wet ball.

The conditions favoured Australia again to-day. They appear destined to win this game, for every turn of the weather seems to their advantage. England had it in the first two tests, so they cannot complain. Rain came today just as the game had begun to get really interesting. It was all against the fielding side and Bradman took advantage of the Avet ball.

Bradman and Rigg were the highlights, the former playing something like his best form, though he did not show his off-drive. Rigg, I have already praised. He should easily secure a place in the remaining tests. Voce again bowled well, beating the bat many times. Sims looked particularly good at one spell when he kept dropping them right on the spot. At the close of play the weather was still very unsettled. Whichever way 1 look at it I am impressed that England are in a bad way and only a miracle can save them. I think now tho writing was on the wall from the moment Bradman spun the coin on Friday morning. For the last fifty minutes to-day the ball was like a bit of soap, the bowlers having to use a towel between nearly every delivery. The attendance was 87,798 and the takings £7405 3s sd, a new world’s record, surprisingly beating New Year’s Day figures. ENGLAND. First Innings 76 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 200 Second Innings. O’Reilly, c and b Voce ... 0 Fleetwood-Smith, c Verity, b Voce 0 Ward, c Hardstaff, b Verity .... 18 Rigg, lbw (new rule), b Sims .... 47 Brown, c Barnett, b Voce ...... 20 Fingleton, not out 39 Bradman, not out 56 Extras 14 Total, for five wickets .. .. 194 Fall of wickets: Nil, three, 38, 74, 97. Bowling Analysis.

Forecast for Fine Day

Received Tuesday, 2 a.m. MELBOURNE, Jan. 4.

There has been only a slight drizzle since play ceased and the .forecast for to-morrow is fine and cool.

English Wickets Thrown Away ALLEN’S SEGEET STRATEGY ON SECOND DAY. SYDNEY, Jan. 4. Commenting on the Test, C. G. Macartney, in the Sydney Morning Herald, says:— “Australia have at last secured a lead on the first innings in the present Test series—a lead that may result in victory provided the right tactics are observed and the weather is not unkind. “For a change England found herself batting on a rain-damaged wicket, and a worse one than Australia had in either the Brisbane or the Sydney Test. Bradman showed good strategy in closing the innings aud bringing England in when the pitch was nearing its worst. “The batting of Barnett, Hammond and Leyland was masterly. They all showed complete knowledge of the intricacies of the wicket, and Hammond gave a magnificent display. His clever manipulation of the bat against rising and turning balls was a sight worth seeing. “Up to the time of Hammond’s dismissal England were fighting for runs, but after his departure the game became a battle of tactics. The Englishmen evidently received instructions to throw away their wickets, but, at the same time, to disguise their intentions. Verity gave the secret away by being half-w'ay to the wickets when Hardstaff was only half-way out. The Australians then wished to keep the visitors in so that they themselves would not be obliged to bat again on such a wicket. Allen stopped that plan by closing the innings when the Australian bowlers bowled wides to waste time. Allen’s Mistake. 1 ‘Allen made a mistake in not closing when Hammond was dismissed, as only 8 more runs were added to the total, a negligible quantity compared with the great advantage that would have been gained by forcing Australia to bat for an hour. The appeal against the light and the rain, which followed robbed England of her big chance, as the wicket "was at its worst when Australia commenced her second innings. “Although both Sievers and O’Reilly secured good figures, it is difficult to assess their effectiveness from their averages, as it must be remembered that the Englishmen were throwing away their wickets.” Fames’ Mother in Fatal Accident MOTOR-CAR OVERTURNS. LONDON, Jan. 2. Mrs. Florence Fames, aged 53, mother of K. Fames, who is touriug Australia with the M.C.C. team, was killed in a motor accident. Mrs. Fames, with her husband, Air. S. H. Fames, and a cousin, Miss Campkin, was motoring from Worthing to her home at Romford, Essex. The husband was driving through Mayfield, Sussex, when the car struck the kerb and overturned. Mrs. Fames’ neck was broken. Mr. Fames escaped with shock and Miss Campkin was bruiseu. The Daily Mail reports that apparently the car skidded and Mrs. Fames, who was sitting in the back, was thrown between the front seats.

Mr. Fames and Miss Campkin have returned to Reedpond Walk, which is also the home of his son Norman.

Voce O. M. 2 R. 66 W. 3 Hammond « s 1 22 0 Allen , 1 23 0 Sims .. . 0 33 1 Vcritv 1 15 1 Robins 0 8 0 Worthington . • 3 0 13 0