“ASHES” CRICKETERS

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1926, Page 4

“ASHES” CRICKETERS

RACE AGAINST TIME. SPECTACULAR SLOGGING. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, May 3. In the closing stages there vras excitement over Gregory’s race against cinie to reach the century before play stopped. He lashed out, scoring a four, six and four off successive balls off Geary, an won. the ! race by sending the last ball of the day to the leg boundary the crowd according him an ovation. Gregory gave a magnificent display of forceful driving and clean cutting.

Mr. Lacey, secretary of the Marylebone Club, stated today:' “So far as we can say at present we have no intention of allowing cricket to be interrupted by the strike.” —Renter.

I TIED UP BY LEICESTER, ! * — FOE HALF AW INNINGS. | A BRILLIANT RECOVERY. ! (Received 2.12 p.m.) ! LONDON, May 3. { The Australians were very gloomy I‘W'hen half the team had been dismissed jfor 118, but made a splendid recovery, owing tb Gregory batting in his best • style. He was in difficulties only a few ■ times, and was in marked contrast to j the earlier batsmen, who wore unable jto play-with confidence, obviously still ] feeling the effects of their short prac- ’ tiee. They were unanimous in de- ] scribing the pre-lunch wicket as funny. Good bowling, backed by fine fielding, made runs hard to get. Collins commented that he did not expect "to meet better bowling anywhere. . f

Another Australian expressed . the opinion that Leicester would win the county championship if the batting were equal to the bowling. Collins’ slow play prompted ironical applause, but it appeared as though he was seeking match practice. It has been arranged for the players to go to London per motors in the event of a general strike, six cars being placed by owners at their disposal for the remainder of the tour.

Colonel Philip Trevor, writing in the "Daily Telegraph,” states: "Despite the performance of Gregory and Ponsford.the Australians disappointed their admirers. Their hatting was slow, without .being easy. It was cramped and without confidence. The majority hugged their bats to their legs and made no effort to place the ball between the fieldsmen. It is difficult to believe that the majority of the men have been playing test cricket for half a dozen years. They are obviously not enamoured of slow wickets.”—A. and N.Z.