THE CRICKET "ASHES."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19406, 14 August 1926, Page 9

THE CRICKET "ASHES."

FIFTH AND FINAL TEST.

DECIDING CONTEST OF SERIES,

The attention of cricket enthusiasts throughout the world will be focussed for the next few days on the Oval, Kensington, where England and Australia commence to-dav the fifth and final test match of the series for the cricket "ashes." Unlike the four previous tests no cloud of uncertainty hangs over this final struggle, for the lords of cricket have decreed that it shall be played to a finish. Thus, unless some very unforeseen circumstances arise, the destiny of the "ashes" will be determined before the end of nesit week.

The leading batting and bowling averages for the four previous tests,' all of which were drawn, are as follow: —

Other performances areCollins, no wickets for 11 runs, Andrews, none for •19; Gregory, none for 209.

ENGLAND. BATTING. I. N.O. I . 4 3 l.S. Total. Av. Hendren . L27* 163 163.00 Chapman . 3 2 50* 107 107.00 Hobbs Sutcliife . 5 1 113 343 .5 1 94 235 87.25 58.75 Woolley . 4 — 87 192 48.00 KiLner . 2 1 3G 45 45.00 In addition, the following players have each batted onceTyldes'ley, 81; Macaulev, 76; Geary, 35*; Stevens, 24; Carr, 13; Tate, 5 Strudwick, 1. BOWLING. Runs. Wickets. Av. Root .. 194 8 24.15 Stevens .. 86 3 28.66 Tate . . 337 9 37.44 Kilner .. 276 7 39.40 La r wood . .. 136 3 45.33 Woolley . . 63 1 fi3.00 Geary .. 130 2 155.00 Macauley t . 123 1 123.00 AUSTRALIA. BATTING. I. IN.O. H.S. Total Av. Macartney ..4 1 151 432 144.00 Bardsley . . 3 1 193* 208 104.00 Woodiull . . i — 141 271 G7.75 Richardson . 3 — 100 135 45.00 Ryder . . 4 1 42 73 24.33 Oldfield . 4 1 19 56 18.06 Gregory . 4 — 34 67 16.75 Collins 2 24 25 12.50 Andrews I 4 — 10 31 7.75 Taylor 2 9 13 6.50 Grimmett * 2 — 6 7 3.50 Mailey . 3 1 1 3 1.50 *Not out. Ponsford, in his only innings, scored 23 runs. BOWLING. Runs. Wickets. Av. Grimmett . . 232 8 29.00 Macartney .. 175 i 43.75 Mailey .. 326 5 65.20 Richardson . .. 182 o 91.00 Ryder . . . 142 I 142.00