CRICKET ASHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21418, 16 February 1933, Page 9

CRICKET ASHES

ENGLAND'S CHANCE VICTORY IN SIGHT ONLY 53 RUNS NEEDED EIGHT WICKETS IN HAND PLAY IN FOURTH TEST By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February IS, 9.15 p.m.) BRISBANE, Feb. 15 The fourth cricket test match between England and Australia was continued in Brisbane to-day. The weather was humid, but much cooler. The wicket wore surprisingly well. There was a crowd of 5000 people at the outset and it increased later to nearly 9000. Tho receipts totalled £BOB, bringing the total for tho match to date to £9668. When stumps were drawn yesterday Australia had made 340 runs in their first innings and 108 for four wickets in their second, McCabe (14) and Darling (8) being not out. England had made 356 in their first venture. When play ceased to-day the Australians were all out for 175, and England had made 107 of the 160 required for victory for the loss of two wickets, leaving 53 runs to be made to win. McCabe-Darling Partnership Much was expected of the McCabeDarling partnership when play was resumed to-day, and the pair started with every confidence. Hammond bowled the opening over, two balls keeping very low. This suggested that the wicket might play trickily, but subsequently it was proved that such was not the case. An off field was used at the opening. In dragging his foot past the wicket Larwood caught a stump, broke it and fell over. Play was delayed for a few minutes while a new stump was procured. After Darling had punished Larwood's bowling a leg field was introduced in the middle of an over. After 16 minutes' play 16 runs had been added, and strangely enough, both batsmen were 16 at the same time. Six Wickets Down For 163 Larwood sent down a particularly vicious over to McCabe, the batsman ducking every delivery without lifting his bat once. Verity relieved Hammond after three overs, and Allen took over the ball from Larwood. Allen was not bowling so fast as previously. McCabe was the first to go, a ball from Verity coming in and, keeping low, took the wicket. McCabe had batted for 82 minutes, and his dismissal was as great a blow to Australia as it was a bracing tonic to England. With Bromley in 150 was posted in 203 minutes, but the colt did not last long. Ho flicked a ball to Hammond in the slips off Allen when ho had made seven in 32 minutes. Six wickets were now down for 163 runs and Australia's chances looked slim but, whilo Darling was in, there were still hopes of a stand. Darling's Tragic Dismissal Love was the new batsman, but he was very uncomfortable. After six runs had been added Love called Darling for a short run and then endeavoured to send him back, but Darling came through. The batsmen were at one end when Larwood dislodged tho bails at the other end. Love's was an unpardonable sin. Having mado the mistake he should have run through and sacrificed his own wicket so as to preservo Darling, whose 39 runs were made in 109 minutes. He was batting beautifully and his dismissal in such a manner was tragic. At luncheon Australia had seven wickets down for 169 and was in a hopeless position. Love was dismissed leg before to Larwood tho first ball after luncheon, and Wall and O'Reilly offered little resistance. Australia's innings closed at 2.25 p.m. for a total of 175 runs, leaving England tho meagre total of 160 to get to win the ashes. England's Second Innings Jardino and Sutcliffe opened England's second innings to the bowling of Wall and O'Reilly. The crowd's hopes were raised when Darling, at point, snapped up a great catch from Sutcliffe off Wall with a score of only five. This gave the Australian bowlers fresh heart. Leyland joined his captain, and runs came steadily. However, the advent of Ironmonger slowed tho scoring. The veteran left-hander changed ends and bowled seven overs for one run, tho last six being maidens. McCabe was brought into the attack and his first ball nearly passed Jardinc's defence. It was a dour fight and the players must have had one eye on the weather. At the tea adjournment England had lost one wicket for 45, being 114 runs behind. Jardine Falls to Leg Trap After tea Wall resumed the attack. Jardine was barracked for his slow batting. Ho had been over an hour without scoring a run. By driving Wall to the on boundary Jardine broke his scoreless spell of 66 minutes and also brought up 51 in 90 minutes. The batsmen then brightened up considerably. Choosing the right balls to hit they scored several boundaries. The English total was gradually creeping toward tho coveted ashes when Jardino fell to Ironmonger's leg trap. The English captain had been at the wickets 132 minutes. The score now was 78 for two wickets and 82 runs were still required. Hammond joined Leyland and survived an appeal for Ug before. Ironmonger again was the bowler. L"yland reached 52 with a boundary hit to fine leg. He batted 133 minutes and hit six fours. Strong Position of Visitors Leyland had scored five when McCabe essayed a wild throw at the wicket which went to tho boundary. Elusive storm clouds made the light bad with half an hour left for play, but the century was posted after 155 minutes' play. "Do not prolong the agony," shouted a wag, as drinks were brought out. At 5.40 p.m. Tobin fielded in place of Wall, who had been limping since tea. When stumps were drawn England was

52 runs behind with eight wickets in hand. Jardine's relentless innings was typical of his captaincy. Though he was barracked, he played an admirable part, and all true lovers of cricket express nothing but praise of his determination. Australia never looked like a winning team to-day. Love was faulty behind the stumps and Darling was inaccurate in fielding, which generally was not up to standard. Leyland's innings at first was the essence of caution. Later he made pleasing shots all round the wicket. Details of the scores are: —

Miracles have happfined in the game of cricket in the past, and nothing short of one will save Australia from defeat today. A victory for England looks a foregone conclusion, and that will mean that the Mother Country has regained the ashes. Once again the Australian team has shown what a very weak batting tail it possesses. Four wickets were down foi 108 when play ceased the previous day, yet the next six wickets could add only 68 runs yesterday. The response made by the Englishmen proved, that the wicket could not be blamed, and so it must be admitted that all-round superiority lies with the Englishmen. From an Australian point of view yesterday, everything depended upon McCabe, Darling and Bromley. The firstnamed did moderately well, and his scores of 20 and 22 show that there is a likelihood of him returning to his best form. The running out of Darling was extremely unfortunate for Australia as well as for the batsman. He was well set and might have made a big score if the others had been able to hold their wickets intact. With totals of 17 and 39 Darling can be said to have made good in his first test match, and -he should easily hold his place in the team for the fifth and final test in Sydney. England's fast bowlers were chiefly responsible for the dismissal of their opponents, Larwood and Allen capturing three wickets, the last-named at slightly less cost. Verity claimed two victims and Mitchell one. Taken all round it must be deemed a bowling triumph. There would no doubt be great rejoicing in the Australian camp when Sutcliffe was dismissed so early in the Englishmen's second innings. But the stubborn display of Jardine, coupled with the splendid batting of Leyland, must have done much toward tiring the Australian attack. Leyland has proved himself one of the mainstays of the team. He played no small part in the third test victory at Adelaide, where he scored 83 and 42. Moreover, he made his runs on both occasions when they were badly needed. Again ho has come to the rescue in like fashion. ASHES SINCE THE WAR The "ashes" were won by England from Australia in 1911-12, when J. \V. H. T. Douglas* team was successful in four of the five tests played in Australia. S. E. Gregory's Australian team of 1912 in England failed to recapture them, England winning one of the threo tests, the other two being drawn. There were then no matches until 1920-21, when Australia won all five tests from Douglas' team. W. W. Armstrong's Australian side of 1921 in England retained the "ashes." winning three tests, while two were drawn. A. E. R. Gilligan's party failed to alter the position in 1924-25, having one success against Australia's four. tt Australia lost possession of the "ashos in 1926, when H. L. Collins' team lost one test in England, the remaining four being drawn. A. P. F. Chapman and his men, held a good grip on the situation in 1928-29 in Australia, winning four matches out of the five. Three years ago W. M. Woodfull led a successful attack in England, Australia winning two tests to its opponents' one, nvo being drawn.

AUSTRALIA.—First Innings Woodfull, b Mitchell 67 Richardson, st Ames, b Hammond . . 83 Bradman, b Larwood * 76 McCabe, c Jardine, b Allen . . 20 Ponsford, b Larwood »• 19 Darling, c Ames, b Allen . . . < .. 17 Bromley,, c Verity, b Larwood . .■ • . 26 Love, lbw, b Mitchell . . . . . «• ... 5 Wall, not out 6 O'Reilly, c Hammond, b Larwood . . 6 Ironmonger, st Ames, b Hammond . . 8 7 Total . 340 Fall of Wickets.—One for 133; two for 200; three for 253; four for 264; five for 267: six for 292: seven for 315; eight for 317; nine for 329; ten for 340. Bowling Analysis Overs M'dns. Runs Wkts. Larwood . . 31 7 101 4 Allen ... 24 4 83 2 Hammond . . 23 5 61 2 Mitchell . . 16 5 49 2 Verity . .. 27 12 39 0 ENGLAND.—First Innings Jardine, c Love, b 0 Reilly . . . . Sutcliffe, lbw, b O'Reilly 46 86 Hammond, b McCabe 20 Wyatt, c Love, b Ironmonger . . 12 Leyland. c Bradman, b O'Reilly . . 12 Ames, c Darling, b Ironmonger . . 17 13 Allen, c Love, b Wall Larwood, b McCabe 23 Paynter, c Richardson, b Ironmonger 83 23 0 21 Verity, not out Mitchell, lbw, b O'Reilly Total •• • 356 Fall of Wickets.—One for 114; two for 157: three for 165; four for 188; five for 198: six for 216; seven for 225; eight for 264; nine for 356; ten for 356. Bowling Analysis Overs M'dns. Runs Wkts. Wall .. .. 33 6 66 1 O'Reilly . . 67.4 26 120 4 Ironmonger . . 43 . 19 69 McCabe . . 23 7 40 3 o a Bromley .. 10 4 19 Bradman 7 1 17 0 0 Darling 2 0 4 0 AUSTRALIA.—Second Innings Woodfull, c Hammond, b Mitchell . . 19 Richardson, c: Jardine, b Verity . . 32 Bradman, c Mitchell, b Larwood . . 24 Ponsford, c Larwood, b Allen . • . 0 McCabe, b Verity 22 39 Darling, run out Bromley, c Hammond, b Allen . . * . 7 Love, ibw, b Larwood 3 Wall, c Jardine, b Allen 2 O'Reilly, b Larwood 4 0 25 175 Fall of Wickets.—One for 46; two for 79: three for 81; four for 91; five for 136: six for 163; seven for 169; eight for 169; nine for 171; ten for 175. Bowling Analysis Overs M'dns. Runs Wkts. Larwood •• 17.3 3 49 3 Allen . . . • 17 3 44 3 Hammond . . 10 4 18 0 Verity . ..19 6 JO 2 Mitchell 5 0 11 1 ENGLAND.—Second Innings Jardine, lbw, b Ironmonger . . . * 24 Sutcliffe, c Darling, b Wail . . 2 66 8 7 Total for two wickets 107 Fall of Wickets.—One for 5; two for 78. Bowling Analysis Overs M'dns. Runs Wkts. Wall ... 7 1 17 1 O'Reilly ..18 6 44 0 Ironmonger . 22.1 12 McCabe . , 7 2 16 1 0