FIRST DAY'S PLAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21415, 13 February 1933, Page 9

FIRST DAY'S PLAY

COMMENT IN LONDON MASTERY OF THE BOWLING GRIM FIGHT VISUALISED By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, Feb. 10 Dealing with the fourth cricket test at Brisbane, newspaper posters, " Leg Theory Mastered," and " Australia Well Away," surprised the crowds going to

work in London this morning. As all the cricket writers had previously insisted that Australia could not play the fast bowling this had led to the expectation of modest scoring.

Some of the critics attempt to soften the disappointment, emphasising the pitiless heat. They are perturbed not only at Australia's score, but at the prospect of a crumbling fourth innings' wicket. Mr. A. P. F. Chapman, a former English captain, writing in the Daily Mail, says the mastery of the bowling by Woodfull and Richardson shows there is nothing in the English attack to prevent the game being played in a real sense. A grim fight is ahead, and the menace of the confident Bradman cannot be overestimated.

Mr. A. E. R. Gilligan, writing in the .News Chronicle, says: "I am still confident, although we must not let the Australians get too many in the first innings."

DISAPPOINTING TOTAL LARWOOD THE REAL THORN GAME IN VERY EVEN STATE Australia's total of 340 runs was disappointing after the splendid start of 251 for three wickets on the first day. An addition of but 89 runs for the last seven wickets once again demonstrates the decided weakness in Australia s batting tail. The collapse of Australia also proves something else —and that is that Larwood is the thorn in the side of the home team. The English express bowler did not secure a wicket the first day at a cost of 65 runs in 20 overs. On Saturday, however, he bowled only 11 overs, off which but 36 runs were obtained, while he securecf four wickets, including the very important ones of Bradman and Ponsford.

It is pleasing to record that there has been no outcry in this match against leg-theory bowling, but, leg-theory or not, it has been plainly evident that in all four tests so far Larwood has been too good for Australia's batsmen. His ability to swing the ball either way, coupled with his great pace, naturally make him extremely difficult to play. His latest success adds further to the value of the fine stand made against him by • Richardson and Woodfull on the opening day. Darling and Bromley, the two young left-handers, did fairly well in their first innings in a test match. It augurs well for Bromley's future success to see him attacking' Larwood in such fashion as to score 12 runs in one over from the fast bowler.

Sutcliffe, who was due for another big score, and .Jardine have given England a good start, and, provided the wicket remains as hard and dry as it has been, they should be able to make another useful beginning to-day. In that event there will not be a large number of runs for the remaining batsmen to obtain to overhaul Australia's total, and a big total is possible. However, if all that has been reported about Brisbane wickets is true, England will need a substantial first innings lead to be finally successful. It will have fourth use of the wicket, which, if at all worn, wi\l present Wall, O'Reilly and Ironmonger with the opportunity of dismissing their opponents for a small total. All three are dangerous bowlers on wearing wickets. There is a suspicion that the pitch is already showing signs of wear. O'Reilly's figures on Saturday appear to support this. He sent down 20 overs and had but 35 runs scored off him.

The game at present, therefore, can be said to be in a very even and interesting state, and he would be a bold gambler who would wager on the result at this stage of the play. A great deal depends upon England's first innings total.