AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17776, 9 May 1921, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

MATCH AGAINST SURREY.

SCORE 325 FOR 6 WICKETS.

COLLINS 158, NOT OUT. By TelegraDh—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p ra.) United Service. LONDON, May 7. The Australian cricketers began a match against. Surrey at the oval to-day. The weather was dull and showery, and the wicket slow hut hard underneath. The attendance was 8000. Oldfield, Mayne, Reyder, and Pellow were omitted from the Australian team, and Harrison, Shepherd, and Hobbs were omitted from the Surrey team.

Bardaley and Ccllins opened to Rushby and Reay. When Bardsley was three, he was brilliantly caught by Hitch low down and close in to leg in Reay's first over. The latter is a fast to medium right-hand bowler.

Macartney filled the vacancy and scored quickly behind the wicket, getting more of the bowling than his partner. When 18, in trying to drive Rushby to the on, he dropped one near Knight at midwicket. At 26, he got five, all run out. The slips were fielding deep, and four men were on the off side. Macartney was loudly cheered for scoring 51 out of 77. A shower fell, but the wicket was playing easy. Naumann here replaced Fender, and Reay was superceded by Hitch, who kept a good length. Collins put one dangerously near Able at second slip. Pour bowlers were tried in the last 20 minutes before luncheon, when the score was 110 for one wicket.

On resuming the weather was brighter and there were 15,000 present. The Prince of Wales also attended. Hitch and Rushby were now bowling, and the first extra came off Studwick from the lefthander. Macartney then played Hitch on to his wicket, "and was replaced by Taylor, who played late to the third ball from Hitch. Armstrong, who was next in, had an enthusiastic reception, and caused amusement by borrowing Hitch's ■waist sash. Hitch, like Naumann, often bowled short, and Rushby was erratic. When Collins was 64, Armstrong's wicket fell, and Gregory took his place. Fender was bowling steadily, while the ground fielding and returning were capital. Collins was batting stolidly. Peach was applauded for a brilliant effort to catch him at cover when 76, with the score 194 for four wickets. A shower stopped play for 20 minutes. Two hundred was hoisted after nearly three hours' play. Gregory was dismissed when the score was 226, and Andrews took his place. Collins reached the century in 190 minutes, and was applauded, the players joining in. A drizzle caused another stoppage for half an hour, when the score was 261, the last 29 occupying 11 minutes, including two boundary byes. When play was resumed sawdust was used at the wicket. Andrews wag out second ball.

Collins, when 135, sent a rather hard return to Fender. Andrews was replaced by Hendry. Strudwick was hit on the face by a rising ball, when Fender resumed. The third hundred was signalled after about four hours' play. Hendry made 10 in 35 minutes. Collins hit 18 fours. Both teams were presented to the Prince of Wales at the luncheon adjournment. Surrey have protested against the proposal to draw stumps at four o'clock on Tuesday to enable the Australians to travel to Bradford, where they commence a match against Yorkshire on Wednesday. Scores:— Bardsley, c Hitch, b Reay . . . . 3 Collins, not out 158 Macartney, played on, b Hitch . . 87 Taylor, b Hitch 0 Armstrong, b Reay 12 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Fender . . 17 Andrews, c Strudwick, b Reay . . 8 Hendry, not cut 22 Extras 18 Total for six wickets . . . . 325 SECOND MATCH ABANDONED RAIN AGAIN STOPS PLAY. A. and N.Z. LONDON, May 6. The match between the Australians and Mr. Lionel Robinson's eleven at Old Buckingham Hall, was drawn, play being abandoned this afternoon owing to rain. The weather was dull and the wicket slow when play was resumed. McDonald and Hendry took up the bowling, and Jupp retired before.. adding to his overnight score, owing to injury to his thumb caused by a blow on Thursday. Chapman partnered Hendren, but was caught off bis first ball. 2—156. Hendren and Douglas were playing cautiously, a drizzle in a few minutes having made the wicket difficult. They raised the total to 191 before they were separated. Hendry dropped Hendren. but caught him next ball. The next three wickets fell in rapid succession, White succumbing to his first ball, and six were out for 225.

Maclaren did some excellent driving and showed wonderful timing. His score included three fours off Hendry. Douglns played a safe game for two hours. The spectators were greatly interested in the partnership between the new and the old captains. Mr. Robinson's eleven declared the innings closed at 256 with Douglas and Maclaren still in, seven wickets having fallen and two men retired hurt. Rain caused a short delay, the Australians starting their second innings after luncheon, but later rain stopped play for half-an-hour. Collins and Bardsley "were steady and watchful. Australia had lost one wicket for 25 runs when the, ,tea adjournment was taken, and owing to rain play was not resumed.

Following are the scores:— MR. ROBINSON'S Xl.—First Innings. Hobbs, retired hurt ... 85 Knight, lbw, b McDonald 1 Jupp, retired hurt ].. 59 Hendren, c Hendry, b McDonald ... 20 Chapman, c Hendry, b McDonald ... 0 Douglas, not out 41 Fender, c Hendry, b McDonald ... 10 Wood, c Gregory, b Hendry ... ... 2 Gibson, c Mailey, b Gregory . ... 1 White, b Gregory ... o Maclaren, not out 25 Extras 12 Total for seven wickets 256 Bowling Analysis.—Gregory took two wickets for 45 runs, McDonald four for 62, Macartney none for 18, Hendrv one for 73, Mailey none for 46. AUSTRALIA. First innings 136 Second Innings. Collins, c Fender, b Gibson 15 Bardsley, not out ... g Macartney, not out ... ... ... 1 Extras 1 Total for one wicket 25 Bowling Analysis.—Douglas took no wiokets for 15 runs, Gibson one for 1, White none for 8.

THE BATTING COLLAPSE.

DUE TO TRICKY WICKET.

(Received 5.6 p.m.) United Service. LONDON. May 7. The Australians attach no special importance to the collapse of the batting against Mr. Robinson's eleven, which they allege wad due to the most tricky wicket. McDonald and Hendry bowled better than the averages indicate, and repeatedly beat the batsmen, but they were unlucky. Hobbs, who was hurt while playing for Mr. Lionel Robinson's Eleven against the Australians, has consulted a London specialist. He states that lie has torn the same muscle as ho injured in Australia. The injury is not serious, but requires complete rest. Jupp's thumb is badly injured, but is not broken, as was at first feared.