GOOD START

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 11

GOOD START

FOURTH TEST AUSTRALIA 3 FOR 251 / , LEG-THEOIiY BEATEN BICHApDSON IN FORM HEADMAN 71 NOT OCT

Tij Telcsrrnph— Press Association—Copyright (Received February 10, 9.35 p.m.) / BRISBANE, Feb. 10 The weather, was fine and hot with a cloudless sky when the fourth test cricket match between England and Australia was commenced at Brisbane to-dav. The attendance, according to the official figures, was almost 23,000 and the receipts totalled £2515. During the luncheon interval, however, about 500 people gained entrance without, paying. Woodfull won tho toss and Australia batted. Wlien stumps wera drawn the score was 251 runs for three wickets, with Bradman and Ponsford (8) not out. Personnel ol the Teams The teams were:— 'AUSTRALIA ENGLAND ,W.. M. Woodfull D. R. Jardine (captain).. (captain). W. H. Ponsford. H. Sutcliffe. Len Darling. M. Leyland. D. G. Bradman. W. R. Hammond. S. J. McCabe R, E. S. Wyntt. V. Y. Richardson. L. E. G. Ames. Ernie Bromley. G. O. Allen. H. S. Love. H. Larwood. W. J. O'Reilly. T. Mitchell. T. M- Wall. E. Paynter. H. Ironmonger. H. Verity. B. J. Tqbin F. R. Brown (12th man) (12th man). The only change in the English team from the third test was that Mitchell replaced Voce. The Australians' batting order was fixed as follows:—Woodfull, Richardson, Bradman, McCabe, Ponsford, Darling, Bromley, Love, Wall, O'Reilly and Ironmonger. The grea.t crowd sent up a cheer as Woodfull's smile announced his winning of the toss and that Australia was to bat on a wickej which was as much a bowler's nightmare as a batsman's paradise. Woodfull's New Opening Partner Woodftill took Richardson in to open with him and in the dhrly stages the vicecaptain was much more at ease than his skipper. Orthodox off-theory tactics were the order as Larwood and Allen opened the bowling, but it was immediately apparent that the wicket lent the fast men little assistance. Wood f ull found the movement of spectators behind the sight board disconcerting -and the umpire made three trips to the boundary before the police settled things to .Woodfull's satisfaction. Larwood introduced the leg-theory in his fourth over and the crowd gave it a -hostile reception. Woodfull was ill at ease ogainst, the leg bowling, but he soon warmed to his work and settled down to play a characteristic innings. No Leg-Theory to Richardson ' Jardine, used ' the leg-theory only to Woodfull. the field changing over to the off side for Richardson. Richardson gave what appeared to be a chance to Jardine at third slip, but the ball through his hands. The/ English fieldsmen were obviously affee'ed by the heat, and wiped the perEpiiat.ion from their brows after each over. Jardine brought Mitchell info the attack after the fast bowlers had failed to effect a separation, but Woodfull got him away for two boundaries in the first over. Just before luncheon the batsmen appeared to be well dug in and had given Australia 'the best start this season. At luncheon Woodfull had scored 21 and Richardson 34, the total being 56. The crowd thus suffered the heal smilingly, a3 Australia had made a splendid start. Opening Pair More Aggressive Both batsmen showed more aggressive- j Tiess after luncheon, Woodfull hitting j Verity for two successive fours. Each scored three in one ovor from Larwood, who was then replaced by Allen.< Richardson reached 52 in 125 minutes with a beautiful off-drive to the boundary off Allen. He pulled the next ball to the on boundary. The leg-field was now used for Richardson's batting, but, after 10 had come off one over from Larwood, Jardine changed again to the off-field, the leg-theory being temporarily defeated, mainly by brilliant forcing play by Richardson. The' partnership posted the century in 135 minutes and both men were appar- ! ently well set. Jardine rung the changes frequently, Verity proving the least expensive. Richardson's Fine Innings Ended Just before the tea period Richardson's innings ended with the score at 133. The batsman was stumped in an endeavour to force tho pace, Hammond being the bowler. Richardson received and deserved a magnificent ovation. When Bradman joined Woodfull, the captain secured his 50 for 175 minutes' batting and 150 was posted shortly afterwards. At the tea adjournment Woodfull was 55 and Bradman 14, the total being 153 for one wicket. After tea Woodfull and Bradman confirmed to bat quietly, but confidently, although Bradman gave a chance to first slip off Larwood. Jardine was soon forced to rely upon Hammond and Verity to carry the attack. Bradman Loses Woodfull and McCabe Bradman, who had begun shakily, was now playing with the greatest confidence. Woodfull's long innings came to an end with the score at. 200. He had been a model of patience for 244 minutes and helped to tire the bowling for Bradman and McCabe. The ovation he received was really remarkable. Soori after McCabe joined him Bradman ran to 52, but he lust McCabe after the pair had added 33. McCabe cut a fast ball from Allen to Jar-line in the slips. Bradman and Ponsford successfully Weathered the rest of the day's attack. It was a great day for Australian batsmanship, which reasserted itself, particularly against Jardiue's fast battery after a period it; the doldrums. It was like old times to seo Australia pass the double century with only three wickets down. Australia's hot sun was a worthy ally «n the day and it- was significant- that the express bowlers failed to take a wicket until very late in the day. Hammond agaii

proved a useful bowler, while Verity was a model of accuracy. Jardine placed his field with great astuteness and kept his men up to concert pitch throughout a wearying day. Australia's winning of the toss certainly proved a tremendous advantage. Details of the score are:— AUSTRALIA.—First Innings Wood full, Jo Mitchell ,67 Richardson, st Ames, b Hammond . . Bradman, not out „ „. 71 McCabe, c Jardine, b Allen . . k * k . 20 Ponsford, not out t k . 8 Extras .. .. k - * t . 2 Total for three wickets . . .... 251 Fall of Wickets.—One for 133; two for 200; three for 233. Bowling Analysis Overs M'dns. Runs Wkts. Larwood .» ■« 20 '5 65 0 Allen . . k h 18 2 66 1 Hammond u•/ 18 5 47 1 Mitchell . . * K 12 3 39 1 Verity . . ». 22 10 42 0

SUCCESSFUL TACTICS

BATTING ORDER CHANGED AUSTRALIA'S FINE STAND r Australia's supporters will be delighted with the splendid start made by the team in this, tho vital test, from an Australian point! of view. The loss of it by Australia would mean that England won the Ashes, whereas success for the home team will make the teams level, and then tho issue will depend upon the result of the fifth test, which is to be played in Sydney in a fortnight's time. Three factors have been responsible for Australia's fine display on the opening day. First of all was the winning of the 'toss; secondly, the extreme heat, which must have caused the English fast bowlers to tire fairly quickly; thirdly, Woodfull's judgment in changing the batting order of his side. Richardson, of course, has been opening batsman in former matches for Australian teams, although not in the present series of tests. He is a sound and reliablo batsman, no matter what position he occupies on the list. Seeing that he had previously opposed the leg-theory bowling successfully, he was just the V right man in the right place," as it were, to face this attack from the outset. That he defeated all the guile his opponents could place against him was a highly meritorious performance, which the crowd apparently appreciated to the full. Woodfull's Solid Innings Woodfull played another of the solid innings for which he is noted, and the importance of his first-wicket partnership of 133 runs with Richardson cannot be lightly estimated. Woodfull's 67 runs were worth a lot more than that to his side, as ho made matters a good deal easier for the batsmen who followed him. Another highly satisfactory feature of the day, from an Australian point of view, was the score of 71. not out made by Bradman. The cabled message states that he started scratchily, but he should now be in rare form at the commencement of to-day's play and, if he and Ponsford are able to take some of the edge off the refreshed bowling, Australia may compile a very large total in its first innings. It was a new experience for Ponsford to go in third wicket, as he has usually been an opening batsman, anc) it is doubtful if he has ever gone in so late in a first-class match. McCabe was just nicely set when he was dismissed. This was fortunate for England, as McCabe is a fast scorer when properly going. It will be remembered ho made 187 not out in the first test in Sydney. Debut o! Left-handers It is interesting to note that the two left-handers, Darling and Bromley, follow one another in the batting order. Both are making their initial appearances in test cricket, and the results of their displays will be eagerly looked for. The English fast bowling has failed at last. Perhaps, however, it may be too soon to say it has been completely conquered, as it may yet prove successful, even in the present match. The achievements of those men who batted yesterday, however, cannot but have a good effect upon the batsmen to follow. Bowes, one of the fast bowlers of the English team, was dropped from the eleven on this occasion, making way for Mitchell, the slow bowler. Judging upon yesterday's results, Bowes would not have been more successful than the other fast trundlers. '

BOWLING WRANGLE

MARYLEBONE SATISFIED LONDON. Feb. 9 The Marylebone Cricket Club is believed to be satisfied with the reply from the Australian Cricket Board of Control, thus ending the body-line bowling controversy, of which everyone is sick and tired. The club will cable tho customary formula of acknowledgment and thanks.