ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18885, 6 December 1924, Page 11

ENGLISH CRICKET TEAM.

AUSTRALIA'S GOOD START.

INNINGS CLOSES FOR 526.

CENTURY FOR THOMPSON.

B7 Telegrapn— Press Association—Copyright. (Received 8.10 p.m.) A. and N.Z. BRISBANE. Dec. 5. Interest has been thoroughly aroused in the cricket match, England v. an Australian Eleven, and • large crowds saw the resumption of play this morning, the attendance increasing to 5000 in the afternoon. The wicket was hard and last, the bowlers getting little assistance from it.

The two Queenslanders, Oxenham and j Thompson, resumed Australia's innings, I but batting was painfully slow, neither I showing enterprise. Howell was troubleI some, swinging the ball from the off to leg. Freeman kept a correct length I well, but varied the ball, though not able to swing in much. The bowling was really flattered, and made to look more difficult than it actually was by the batsmen's over-cautious strokes. Oxenham was two yards out of the crease when deceived by 0110 of Frogman's elusive deliveries, and was easily stumped. TaaSe Comes in to Stay. Interest was awakened by the appearance of Taaffe, the Western Australian, who had done so well in the Perth match. He opened confidently, with an easy, swinging style, but his strokes lacked vigour, and he was unable to pierce the field. Still, considering the fact that the surroundings were strange and he was playing his first really big match, he did well or, at least, as well as the more experienced Thompson, who was the only Queenslander to score two centuries for Queensland in inter-State matches. There is still a feeling that the English bowlers are not yet up to test-match standard. Thompson and Taaffe were associated in the third century partnership. Their partnership was soon figuring as the most productive of the innings. They collared the English bowling, which was now not impressive. The slow bowlers were still doing the bulk of the work, the pace men failing on the fast wicket. Thompson, after 185 minutes, passed the century mark, and thus joined the select band of Queenslanders who have made a three-figure score against England. The last previous one was made by Uartigan, who scored 116 in the third test match at Adelaide, in association with Clem Hill, in 1908. Thompson did not give .1 chance, but played sound cricket, although at times he was overcautious. The Western Australian now settled down, driving hard often, but his placing was still fpulty. Chapman's Great Fielding. Chapman was fielding in great style, stopping and returning the ball brilliantly. The bowlers were thoroughly mastered again. They sent down some good, accurate stuff, but it was without pace. Thompson, when hitting out, went for a weak stroke to leg, which robbed Taaffe of his chance of reaching the century, as nobody else could stay with him. The Queenslanders would like to see the West Australian make three figures. Taaffe played to the end unbeaten, and after lunch played punishing cricket. His delightful, free style greatly pleased the spectators. The English fielding was always superb. No actual chances were missed. Strudwick was in great form, only one bye being recorded. The innings closed at 5.40. The Englishmen batted for five minutes when stumps were drawn. Douglas was missed at the wickets on the third ball. Following are details of the scores:— AUSTRALIA.— Innings. O'Connor, lbw, b Freeman . . . . 50 Ponsford, c Sandham, b Howell . . 81 Richardson, Ibw, b Tvldeslev . . . . 35 Kipnax, st Strudwick. b Tvldcslcy 14 Oxenham, st Strudwick, b Freeman 54 Hendry, c Strudwick, h Freeman . 68 Thompson, c Sutcliffe, b Freeman . . 114 Taaffe, not out 85 Hornibrook, b Freeman . . . . 16 Urimmet, b Freeman . . . . 0 Wallace, b Howell 1 Extras . . - . . .. . 7 Total 526 Bowling Analysis. —Howell took two wickets for 123 inns, Douglas none for 52, Kilner none for 69, Freeman six for 160, Tvldeslcy two for 105, Bryan none for 9. ENGLAND.—First Innings. Douglas, not out . . . . . . 1 Strudwick, not out . . . . 1 Extras 2 Total for no wickets . . . . 4