FINAL CRICKET TEST

Northern Advocate, 19 August 1935, Page 5

FINAL CRICKET TEST

Test Cricket

AFRICANS START WELL “CERTAIN TO WIN RUBBER” MITCHELL TOPS CENTURY i United Press Association —By Electiic Telegraph.—Copyright. 1 (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, August 17. The final cricket test match between England and South Africa was begun today at the Oval. The weather was [fine, and the wicket in perfect order. England won the toss and put the South Africans in. They made 297 for six wickets. Holmes stood out of the English team, and Barber, was 12th man. Tomlinson, Balaskas and Bell stood out of the visitors’ side and Williams was 12th man. There were 20,000 spectators after luncheon. Reed, the Essex fast bowler, who was making his debut in test matches, opened the bowling with Nichols, but both were innocuous. The batsmen were confident. At 30, Reed bowled Mitchell, but it was a no-ball.

Wyatt repeatedly changed the bowlers. He tried Clay, Hammond, Bowes, and, finally, Robins. Mitchell’s Century.

Seidle and Mitchell sent up the 100 after 115 minutes’ play. Both played chanceless cricket.

Robins started impressively after luncheon, taking two wickets for one run in his second over, and breaking the opening partnership. The visitors then became cautious.

Wyatt cleverly took a low catch from Nourse with his left hand. Reed bowled a fine pace, with an uneven length. Mitchell reached his century in 210 minutes. He was fast, compared with Viljoen, whom the crowd mildly barracked.

The constant changes of bowlers was vindicated, when Reed was brought on again after tea. This resulted in the dismissal Of Mitchell, who had played a model, defensive innings for 128. He hit with precision and judgment, and batted 255 minutes. His score included 11 fours. Cameron, in spite of a confident start, was easily caught in the slips. The South Africans then redoubled their caution. Wade batted 25 minutes without scoring, and then was caught. Viljoen continued slowly, by completing his 50 in 140 minutes. The visitors forced the pace somewhat in the closing stages, as the light weakened. “Biggest Blunder.” The “Observer” says the South Africans are certain to carry the cricket rubber home for t n e first time in history. None will begrudge them their triumph. The “Weekly Despatch'” alone attacks Wyatt. It says: “Wyatt made the biggest blunder in cricket history—a fitting end to the series of mistakes, which have made English cricket a laughing stock. It is unlikely that Wyatt acted on his own initiative. Possibly IJ e was over-ruled by the. mandarins of Lords, as they forced Carr to put in the Australians at Leeds in 1926, The “Sunday Times” says Reed had not the length or direction to make a Larwood.

Wyatt’s action in putting the South Africans in first in the test match at the Oval is much discussed. His action is believed to have been due to a desire to exploit his battery of fast bowlers, while the August dew was on the turf. The newspapers generally approve his decision. The “Daily Mail," prior to the match, said it believed the South Africans were stale. It pointed out that their tour consists of 40 matches, or six more than tfie Australians usually play. Details are:—

SOUTH AFRICANS. First Innings. Siedle, c Ames, b Robins 35 Mitchell, c Ames, b Reed 123 Rowan, 1.b.w.. b Robins 0 Nourse, c Wyatt, b Bowes 32 Viljoen, not out 60 Cameron, cA. Mitchell, b Reed . . 8 Wade, c Hammond, b Bowes .... 0 Dalton, not out 21 Extras 13 Total (for six wickets) 297