BRIGHT BATTING

Northern Advocate, 18 December 1928, Page 5

BRIGHT BATTING

HAMMOND IN GREAT FORM

RYDER PROVIDES SENSATION.

BOWLING LACKS STING.

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 9.21 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The second test cricket match was resumed yesterday on a, wicket that was slower than Saturday’s, The bowlers were able to turn the ball, but without any pace off the pitch Play re-oponed in warm weather. Hammond was far more aggressive than earlier in the innings, his cover drives off Grimmett and Ironmonger being magnificent. Jar dine provided a great contrast, making runs very carefully.

After the pair had added 83, Hammond drove a Wall back slightly away from the bowler, Blackie, who dashed across, picked up cleanly and threw down the wicket .before Jardinc completed the run. The Surrey man was an hour and a half making 28, Blackie’s bright work in this incident surprised the English pair, who had been taking risks when, balls went to Blackie and Ironmonger, who, generally, ’were clumsy fieldsmen, Hendren and Hammond were brilliant, entirely collaring the bowling, which was positively without sting, Both batsmen drove to the on and to the off with terrific force. Whilst the pair were together, Richardson was in great form at cover.

Hammond reached 100 after 195 minutes. With the total at 293, Henclren made a very poor shot, turning Blackie into Richardson's hands at forward short leg. He had played a dashing innings- of just over two Hours and hit eight 4s, The partnership added 145, six runs less than the English fourth-wicket record by Fry and Jackson in England in 1905. It is considerably lower than Australia’s best, 221 by Syd. Gregory and Harry Trott at Kennington Oval in 1896. Chapman hit two great 6s off Blackie, one to long-on and the other straight,. Hammond weakened slightly, giving a possible chance when at 133 to Ironmonger off Blackie, but the fieldsman did not move promptly. At 149, he hit one back to Ryder, who just failed to hold it. He fell just as he touched the ball.

At the tea adjournment the score board read; Four for 327. For a wihile both batsmen wore quiet. Then Chapman tried another big hit off Blackie, The ball went high over the head of Ryder at deep mid-on. He turned, rfan about 15 yards with the sun in his eyes and took a sensational catch with arms outstretched. The crowd cheered the feat for some seconds.

Play slackened with the coming of Larwood. Bla'ekio was now bowling splendidly, turning the ball well from the off. Hammond became more subdued. He was evidently tired, but moved slowly towards his second century.

Kip pa v, who rarely bowls in club or first class crddcet, w'as the seventh bowler tried, but the batsmen did not hurry.

Hammond reached his 200 to the accmpaniment of prolonged cheering. The Australian captain and other Australian players rushed up and shook Hammond’s hand most cordially. Soon afterwards stumps were drawn.

Hammond’s 201 took 395 minutes. He hit 22 fours. It was a fine knock. He made beautiful shots past point, but his main stroke was through the covers and to mid-off. He equalled Syd. Gregory’s score in Sydney tests, which was the highest for ' Australia ,oii a'Sydney ground, and Ryder’s, made at Adelaide against thb last team. Records still intact are: Murdoch’s 213 at Kennington Oval and R.E.Poster’s 287 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The bowling was so weak yesterday that it is not improbable he will break these - records tomorrow.

The bowling was not up to test standard. Probably there will be many changes for the next game. Grim mett’s one victim cost 123 runs, Ironmonger’s 88 and Blackie’s two wickets 104,

The fielding was good; Richardson’s perfect.

The attendance was 52,000 and the receipts £3247*

Apropos of Hobbs’ birthday present, Hobbs stated today that he was deeply touched by the wonderful, spirit behind the gift. He was receiving telegrams from all over Australia and as far afield as .Hew Zealand, for which lie was deeply grateful. Details of scores are as follows; AUSTRALIA First Innings .....255 ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c Oldfield, ib Grimmett .. 40 Sutcliffe, c Hendry, b Ironmonger 11 Hammond, not out 201 Jardinc run out 28 Hendren, e Richardson,- b Blaekie 74 Chapman, c Ryder, b Biackic .... 20 Larwood, not out 37 Extras 0 Total for five wickets 420

Fall of wickets: One for 57, two for 65, three for 148; four .for 295, five for 341.

LATEST SCORE.

England has lost seven wickess for 490 (Hammond 251; Geary not out-,-20. Larwood is out but his score was not telegraphed.)

iSHEFFIELD SHIELD.

VICTORIA’S BIG LEAD,

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 8.48 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. The position ef the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Queensland at the close of play yesterday, was as follows: —■ Victoria, Ist innings 259 Victoria, 2nd innings (seven wickets declared) ....» 344 —603 Queensland, Ist innings .... 97 Queensland, 2nd innings (no wickets) SS —lB5 For Victoria Rigg made SS, Seaifo 56, Ellis not out 107, ‘Wilkinson 56. Thurlow took throe wickets for 'lO2 ami Amos two for 89.