RECORD-BREAKING STAND

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1936, Page 9

RECORD-BREAKING STAND

Cricket

FAGG AND BARNETT STRIKE FORM

[By J.. B. Hobbs.—Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.] (Received 10 a.m.)

BRISBANE, November 30

Following the English team’s disappointing form* in the first innings against Queensland, a tonic was received this afternoon, when Barnett and Fagg engaged in a record-break-ing stand, Barnett making the highest score in his career. Fagg made his first century for the tour and received excellent practice.

Barnett and Fagg created a record for any wicket of England against Queensland, scoring 295 for the first wicket. What a different tale it is from those I have regretfully had to send of late. Arthur Gilligan arrived today and vows he brought the team luck.

Fagg played very freely at first, but after reaching the forties he went very deliberately.

Chance Dropped. ,

Barnett has been showing brilliant flashes of form, but this was his best display of the season. He early exceeded his othdr century at Melbourne, and was at 123 when he sent up the total of 200 in a burst that took 18 off an over from Amos. With that stroke, however, he was missed 10 yards from the boundary off a hook shot. The ball flashed high and hard, and went through the fieldsman’s hands to the fence. This was the first chance he had given all day. England was more on top of the bowling than in any other match of this tour. The confident way both batsmen hooked the faster bowlers suggested that the wicket was easy in pace.

Quite early I sensed that Fagg’s luck had changed, for he had a good hook that went over square leg’s head and would surely have been snapped pp a week ago. Last week I remarked that he was getting out of good strokes, but the ball seemed always to go straight to a fieldsman.

Ovation For Fagg.

In view of England’s previous inability to play against the slow bowling, I thought that Oxenham should have brought Allen on before the last over prior to lunch. Allen did not bowl until the total had reached 125. After lunch the batsmen were set and hit him. He tried again for one over before tea, and had Fagg caught at silly mid-off. It would have done Kent cricketers good to hear the ovation Fagg received on reaching his century. It was equal to any he could have hq.d in his home country. 1 The crowd, sensing his run of bad luck, cheered him on from the start. Barnett had made 181 at that point, and had been batting heartily. He was missed again twice after passing 150, but he was then batting almost recklessly. His fifth 50 took only 22 minutes, and was one of the fastest ever made on the ground. I should have liked to see Barnett deliberately go out after reaching 200, because the batting practice for the others would have been of more advantage to the side, than more runs from him.

Hardstaff All Wrong,

Even with Fishlock at the other end, Barnett had most of the bowling. Eventually he was caught at the boundary after hitting 259 out of 401. including two sixes and 39 fours. His last 50 was scored in 40 minutes.

The batting order was changed

for the purpose of practice. I am

afraid Hardstaff is out of the first

test match, as he is in such a state of mind now he can not put his foot right.

Fishlock is improving, but I do not like him too well yet. He is still nervous, but when he does hit he hits hard. He gave a sharp chance at gully when he had made six runs.