LIONHEARTED ENGLISHMEN

Northern Advocate, 6 January 1937, Page 5

LIONHEARTED ENGLISHMEN

FOUGHT ALL THE WAY TRIBUTE BY HOBBS A WORKMANLIKE BRADMAN (By J. B. Hobbs. —Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden). (Received 9 a.m.)

, MELBOURNE, January 5. This Australian team lacks the punch of old elevens against which I have played. With the game in the state the Australians had it when play resumed, they should have rubbed it in hard. The partnership between Bradman and Fingleton made the position safe. They consolidated what was an impregnable position. The only chance England had before lunch, seeing there had been no further rain, was the taking of quick, cheap wick- ! ets. These they failed to get. The. wicket was in excellent order being easy paced with the ball coming through at a nice height and there were no kickers. It must have been a relief to the batsmen after some recent experiences. As soon as the new ball could be taken, Voce and Allen came on but they could make no impression. Indeed at this time no bowler looked deadly, although Verity bowled a perfect length and kept the batsmen quiet. Seven overs for seven was pretty good considering Bradman ; was there. i

Bradman Lacked Sparkle.

Bradman was ready for a bad ball. Pie made some spanking shots with his hook, but these were cleverly blocked and did not bring a four. Those he got were to fine leg, and also with late cuts. Bradman gave nothing like a chance, and in the first 100 did not make one off drive. It was a fortunate stroke that earned his century just after lunch, because it was e'dged off Voce at a catchable height where second slip would have been. Bradman having put one or two past the third slip early Voce moved his slipfield, and had first and thirds only.

Even the greatest batsman wants a, bit of luck. I should not say his first 100 was characteristic of the old Bon. It lacked sparkle, being rather a fighting knock. Modern Kelleway. Fingleton’s innings I can describe best as one of Charlie Kelleway’s displays. It was, of course, of immense value to his side, and in keeping with most of his batting we have seen during this test series. He took 158 minutes over the first 50 and by the luncheon adjournment had advanced his score by only 18 runs. Facing Verity, when 53, Fingleton played forward a trifle harder than usual and lifted the ball wide of the bowler. He played forward at the next ball with care. He was missed after adding three more runs. It was one of the few occasions on which he went all out for a stroke. Trying to drive a wide ball from Verity he edged it high and wide to Hammond’s right hand at first slip. Perhaps it was hardly fair to call it a chance.

I admired England’s men for sticking to their work as they did. They continued to fight as if on level terms. Lionhearted is the word for it. Bradman and Fingleton beat the test record for the sixth wicket and soon after it with Sims on, and runs coming freely, they had made 200 in 226 minutes. It is not often that we see the opening batsman in with such a player like Bradman for the sixth wicket. Work must be at a standstill in Melbourne, for there was another large crowd. There was less of the holiday element, the partnership' being warmly applauded with none of the hysteria which marked the falling of England’s wickets on Saturday. The crowd de-.-orvedly gave Fingleton three cheers when !u- reached his century Me

went from 94 to 98 with his best stroke so far, a cover drive off Robins. Remarkable Concentration. The two batsmen never let up the whole time. Even after they had achieved‘*the 300 partnership they still took no chance, their concentration being remarkable. Anyone coming to the ground late in the afternoon and not knowing the score, would have thought there was a great fight for a first inning’s lead in progress. Just after tea, when in one over Verity twice _ beat Bradman, the latter still did not depart from the even tenor of

his way. f England’s fielding was good. Robins saved many runs. What made me admire them more was that, apart from the batsmen staying there, they had such a heart-breaking wicket to bowl on. The rain had taken all the life out of it. I do not see what Allen could have done to improve the situation. It would have needed more than a human captain to have dislodged this pair today.

Consistent Verity. I cannot imagine anyone bowling a better length than Verity. He was almost on the same spot every delivery, except when he was sending down a faster ball which had to be pitched shorter. As far as F am concerned the tension is relieved. I have written this down as a victory for Australia.

The running between the wicket was well judged. On previous occasions when the Australians were stealingruns there appeared the danger of one of them getting out,, but that was not the case today. Allen tried a few overs at half speed with Ames standing up to the wicket, but his efforts were unavailing and and it was left to Sims to get Fingleton caught at the wicket. The batsmen were very tired, but they got pleasure out oi it The sun shone pleasantly all dav.