STERLING FIGHT

Northern Advocate, 16 March 1929, Page 9

STERLING FIGHT

DEADLY ATTACK RUNS VERY SCARCE. ENGLAND SETS HIGH STANDARD. (Australian Press Association.) (Received 8.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, This Day. Pleasant weather prevailed when the cricket match was resumed on a fairly good wicket, which, at any Ante, was in a better condition than it probably would have been had there been no rain on Wednesday.

Old-field when eight gave Hammond an easy chance in the slips off Larwood. Only six runs were added in half an hour, but the batsmen had done good work for the team in getting through a dangerous state when a now ball was in use.

The batting of both men steadily improved, although run-getting was slow. There was great cheering when the first, innings’ deficiency of 28 was wiped out. H-ornibro-ok was again showing fine grit and surprising soundness.. Forty was brought up in 93 minutes, every run being loudly applauded. Then Duckworth missed a chance of catching Hornibrook off Tate, the batsman being then 18.

Off the hast ball before luncheon Hornibrook was clean bowled. He had batted 97 minutes and hit one fourer. Although very slow, he played a-fine innings for his side.

Woodfull opened quietly, as usual, only seven runs being added in 20 minutes. Then Oldfield totalled five, including three for an overthrow off Larwood.

Tate and the fast bowler were in good form and had to be closely watched. At one stage Tate had bowled nine overs for five runs.

When the total was 80 Oldfield was clean bowled after a plucky display lasting 155 minutes. He hit three fourers and one fiver, the partnership with Woodfull realising 29 runs.

Hammond, who then had two wickets for nine,, was turning the ball slightly and making it rise sharply, suggesting that the, wicket was not playing altogether true. One ball struck Duckworth, who sustained a nasty blow on the shoulder, play being suspended while. Larwood massaged him. He had been keeping wickets in groat style, making many clever stops on the leg side.

The century was brought up after three hours’ play, Woodfull livening matters up by getting two fourers in successive overs from. Tate and Larwood.‘The bowling was of a high standaid throughout and the fielding was very keen, every run having, to be earned.

Jackson, who. did not have much of a strike, reached double figures in 45 minutes. After tea only seven runs were added in 20 minutes, the crowd commenting sarcastically. Then Jacksou obtained a six off one of Larwood ’s overs.

When 34, Woodfull had a narrow escape of being run out on the third run off a hit by Jackson, Ley land making a good return.

The scoring rate was steadily improving till Woodfull played on a ball which kept very low. -He had. batted 128 minutes and hit one £ outer.

On being joined, by Kippax, Jackson became more enterprising, making some delightful cuts off Lai’.wood. One hundred and fifty was reached in,287 minutes.

At 158, White went on for the first time since lunch and the scoring rate slackened again. Jackson, who was clean bowled, batted 85 minutes. He hit five fourers and was dismissed when showing his best form. The light was getting poor when, Ryder went in, the position then being most interesting ms the wicket was now inclined to play an occasional trick, the ball keeping very low at times. Runs were as scarce as sovereigns, the bonding being very accurate and the fielding exceptionally keen and effective.

An appeal was made against the light at' 5.30 o’clock, but was disallowed. A second appeal at 5.37 o’clock was also refused, A few runs were added and then the third appeal was successful at 5.45 o’clock.

Kippax had batted for 58 minutes and Ryder for half an hour. The time for the innings was 276 minutes.

It was remarkable low scoring for a day's play. The visitors deserve groat credit for their sterling fight, even though they had occasional assistance from the wicket. England is by no means beaten yet. Details of the scoring are as follow: \ ENGLAND. First Tunings 519 Second Innings 257 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 491 Second Innings. Oldfield, b Hammond 48 Hornibrook, b Hammond 18 Woodfull, b Hammond 35 Jackson, b Geary 46 Kippax, not out 32 Ryder, not out ',.... 8 Extras ' 6 Total for four wigkets 173