BACKS TO THE WALL

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1928, Page 5

BACKS TO THE WALL

AUSTRALIANS’'PINE RALLY

TWO CENTURIES MADE.

ENGLISH BOWLING COLLARED.

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 8.45 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Commencing on an excellent wicket, in pleasant weather, Hendry and Woodfull soon got on top of the bowling, despite the frequent changes of Larwood, Tate, Geary and White. They were rarely at fault. Once Hendry narrowly escaped- being stumped off Tate; then he launched out, drove to the on and the off in beautiful fashion. It is about the best innings he has played on the Sydney Cricket Ground. Wioodful was not quite so dazzling, but was very sound, with splendid offdrives.

Hendry reached his first century in test cricket in 202 minutes, and soon afterwards Woodfull ■ also had three figures, taking 2‘39 minutes. The next ball, Hendry tried to play Tate to the on, but it struck his pad and he was out leg before. He had played a great knock for 233 minutes and hit seven fours. The pair added 215 and had 'Macartney and Woodfull’s second wicket record of 235 in sight when they were separated. They revealed that the Australians still possess fighting spirit when their backs are against the wall. Kippax and Woodfull had added another 19 when the Victorian played Tate back slightly to the off. The Victorian ran through, but Kippax did not start. Woodfull turned when in the middle of the pitch, but Tate’s throw to Duckworth easily beat him. It w'as an Inglorious ending to a fine, sound, flawless innings lasting 258 minutes, in which ho hit six fours. He always got well behind the ball and drove with power. It looked as if Australia had expended her fighting qualities, for Kippax soon went leg before. A ball from Tate came through, fast and low, and the batsman tried to turn it to the on, but missed. Ryder and Nothling now made another fine stand. The captain was particularly aggressive, moving out to the bowling. He drove with tremendous power, causing Chapman to place three fieldsmen on the boundary. Ryder lifted Hammond over the fence at long on and'he ran'to 50 in 3i6 minutes. No tilling, who is generally a hardhitting batsman, was content to keep his end up', whilst his comrade fiercely smacked the "bowling. , Ryder is at his best when going for runs. His off strokes were powerful and were well placed. Larwood left the field suffering from chafed toes. His bowling did not terrorise the Australians yesterday. Ryder quietened as the light faded. Pour appeals were made regarding the light,- stumps being drawn ’at 5,52 o’clock,' Ryder and Nothing being together. Though Australia has to make 44 runs to save an. innings’ defeat, their great fight delighted everyone. They gave the best Australian display of the tests and showed that the English bowling, though good, can be mastered. Had Woodfull not been unluckily run out, they possessed a great chance : of giving the Englishmen a good number to get in their second innings. Tate took all three wickets, which went to the bowler’s credit for 90, but none were very dangerous, except , at J

intervals. The attendance was 14,000 and the receipts £I2OO. Details of the play are as follow:—• ENGLAND. First Innings 630 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 233 Second Innings. Richardson, c Hendren, b Tate.,« 0 Woodfull, run out 11l Hendry, 1.-b-w., b Tate 112 Kippax, 1.b.w., b Tate 10 Ryder, not out 77 Nothling, not out 20 Extras 8

Total for four wickets 339 Fall of the wickets: Two for 215; three for 234; four for 24G.

TODAY'S PLAY.

FIVE FOR 347.,

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 2.56 p.m.) SYDNEY This Day. The weather is warm and dull and the wicket good for continuation pi the second test match. Australia, in the second innings, has lost 5 wickets for 347 rims, Ryder, c Chapman, b Larwood .. 79 Nothling, not out . 20 , SEVEN FOR 388. Later, Australia has lost 7 wickets for 388 —Nothling 44, Oldfield 0, Grimmett not out 14.

GOOD SPORTS

MERITED RECOGNITION.

(Australian Press Association.) (Received 7.40 p.m.) (LONDON, December 18. In the midst of justified rejoicings at England's record innings, Australia's ill-luck finds a prominent place

in the Press. P. F. Warner says; “There will bo certain changes in the third test team. Bradman and a'Beckett are

strong candidates, and Kcllcway pro bably will be lit"

Lord Tennyson says: “It is a wonderful tribute to the spotting character of the Australians that they should flock jto, .’witness England's triumph and accord the team a deserved ovation, We are all grateful to the Anstralfans for -their impartial enthusiasm. Every lover ■ of cricket, in view of their hard luck, would like to see the Australians make a big score in the second innings." He is greatly eulogistic of Blackie, who “bowled like a hero—an amazing feat for one

of his age." Clem Hill is whole-heartedly in praise of the batsmen and adds: “It was made obvious that the bowlers, even when fresh, are not dangerous, and when tired, whatever sting they mlfeiht have had, disappeared."