GREAT BATTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21859, 23 July 1934, Page 9

GREAT BATTING

bradman and ponsford TWO RECORDS BROKEN PRODUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP ADDITION OF 888 RUNS TWO NOTABLE CENTURIES f s By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received July 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. July 21 The fourth test cricket match between England and Australia was continued to-day at Leeds in fine weather. • When stumps were drawn yesterday /- England had been dismissed in the first innings for 200 runs and Australia had made 39 for three wickets. Thanks to a remarkable partnership between Ponsford and Bradman, the Australians had scored 494 for four wickets when play ceased to-day, Ponsford being out for 181 and Bradman not out 271. After the luncheon adjournment yesterday the wreather was sultry. The attendance increased to 30,000.

Hammond and Hendren Out When Grimmett and O'Rejlly resumed bowling to Hammond and Hendren the wicket was still dead and easy. Batting was restrained until Grimmett offered a. high full-toss which Hendren swung to the fence. He also on-drove O'Reilly to the boundary. Wall bowled with only Chipperfield in the slips/ emphasising the deteriora- ' tion of his pace, but he threw all his energy into one which swung in. and bowled Hammond, who was beginning to look formidable. 135 —3—37.

Without addition to the score the first ball of Chipperfield's next over, apparently a "wrong 'un," completely beat and bowled Hendren. 13o —4 29. Leyland, who was celebrating his 34th birthday, was cheered all the way to the wicket. Wvatt and Levland could not get Chipperfield and O'Reilly away, and the scoring became tedious, 150 taking 205 minutes. Six Wickets Down for 170

Powerful fours by Leyland and Wyatt relieved the monotony. Woodfull wisely did not persist too long with Chipperfield} whom Grimmett displaced at 160. Wyatt off-drove and squarecut him for consecutive boundaries. *■ The first ball of O'Reilly's next over, a faster one, slipped through Leyland s defence and the Yorksliireman was • given out leg-before. 168 —5 10. The removal of this obstacle to Australia's hopes was quickly followed by the dismissal of Wyatt, whom (Grim- ' mett coaxed out to a ball which dropped quickly, and the English captain was easily stumped. 170 —6 19. Ames and Hopwood played safely linti! tea, against bowling keyed up by Unexpected success on such an unhelpful wicket. Epglisl) Batsmen Disappoint Only 10 runs had been added after tea when Ames stepped out to dm e Grimmett and snicked the ball to Oldfield, who, 'to make doubly sure, removed the bails. 189 —7 —9. Without addition to the total Hop\vood was out leg-before to O Reiily. V 189—8— 8. Oldfiolcl niissed a chance of stumping Verity, but when the total was 200, after 285 minutes' play, 01 tlfield atoned by brilliantly stumping Mitchell. 200— 9—9. ' . . Bowes wt)s out in the same o\er, caught in the Outfield, the innings c ' os " r :; ' icg for 200: The Englishmen showed a

deplorable lack of batsmanship after a promising start, as the pitch was never difficult. Fifty minutes remained when Brown and Ponsford opened Australia's first innings to the bowling of Bowes and Hammond, The batsmen were confident. runs coming at a steady pace, but Hammond twice consecutively beat Brown. In trying to dodge a "bumper" from Bowes Ponsford was struck on the back. Mitchell displaced Bowes at 26, and nearly had Brown stumped. Bowes relieved Hammond at 37 and clean bowled Brown. 37 —I—ls. Oldfield got a cheer intended for Bradman when he came in at 6.20 p.m., and in Bowes' next over Oldfield snicked" one to Ames, who took an excellent, low catch on the off-side. 39—2—0. The fieldsmen clustered around Woodfull, who came in at 6.25 p.m. The Australian leader missed the first ball and played-on the second he received from Bowes. 39—3—0. Opening Stages on Saturday When play was resumed this morning there was a lively crowd of 35,000 spectators, and brilliant sunshine relieved the drabness of the ground, an achievement to which Bradman quickly added an inimitable share. He straightdrove and on-drove to the boundary the remaining two balls of Bowes' deadly over-night over. Bradman revealed delightfully crisp and sure form. He played the good balls carefully, but was merciless with loose stuff. He powerfully hooked Mitchell to the boundary. Ponsford was quieter, but a model of soundness. The wicket was slightly faster than on the previous day and still good and true. Bowes disturbed Ponsford twice with "bumpers," but Bradman banged one furiously for four. Seven Consecutive Maidens The accuracy of Verity's bowling produced seven consecutive maidens though the batsmen appeared untroubled. Hammond also induced sober batting after Bradman's early rapid scoring.

The partnership yielded 50 in 65 minutes in spite of the fact that the batsmen added only five runs in 10 overs. It was a most un-Bradmanlike performance to play maiden after maiden on a perfect wicket. * However, Bradman and Ponsford seemed to be intent upon breaking the bowlers' hearts by attrition. Nevertheless, Ponsford, by cutting and glancing Verity to the boundary, produced the 100 in 120 minutes. Ponsford's 50 was reached soon after by again glancing Verity to the fence. This seemed to be the signal to open up, for runs immediately flowed again on their normal course, Bradman twice in succession driving Hammond to the fence. England's Total is Passed

Bradman reached his 50 in 90 minutes. Then he overhauled Ponsford in spite of the latter's 45 minutes' start.

The batting hitherto had been good and patient rather than attractive, and the bowling little beyond accurate. The batsmen's early restraint was fully understood by the crowd. When Ponsford had made 70 lie was dropped by Mitchell in the covers, the batsman having tried to hit a " bumper " from Bowes. It was the first chance in his innings. At the luncheon interval the partnership had added 129 in 145 minutes. England's total was passed in 220 minutes. Brilliant fielding in which Wyatt and Veritv were conspicuous, imposed a steadying effect. Bradman's 100 occupied 185 minutes and Ponsford's 250 minutes. The partnership realised 200 in 210 minutes.

The mounting score incited neither batsman to recklessness, but runs came steadily. The fielding was still more inspired than the bowling, the weakness of which was confessed when Leyland was called on at 258. Ponsford twice hit Leyland to the boundarv, temporarily overtaking Brad man. Then Bradman off-drove Hopwood ,for four and broke his own and Jackson's test record for a fourth wicket stand of 213 in 1930. Bradman then loosened the rein on himself and square-cut Mitchell to the boundary, producing 300 in 295 minutes. Then he tackled Bowes and reached bis 150 in 255 minutes. Highest Partnership in a Test While Ponsford plodded along, Bradman began to treat the bowlers—whose accuracy was faltering—with disdain. There were 40,000 spectators alter tea, a record for Leeds. Ponsford. who had already made his highest score in a test, continued to bat strongly, and reached his 150 in 335 minutes. The partnership had' added 300 in 275 minutes. After breaking the record for thu highest partnership in test -natch history (that of Hobbs and Rhodes in Melbourne in 1912, namely 323), Bradman reached his 200 in 295 minutes. Ponsford at 154 was missed off "Verity. Wvatt, at silly point, narrowly failed to achieve what would have been a brilliant catch. In spite of the excellence of the fielding runs came with absurd ease without loss of soundness. Even the usually accurate Verity cracked under the strain Ponsford's Fine Innings Ended The 400 appeared on the board after 360 minutes' play, 71 having been added in 45 minutes after tea. Ponsford at 178 was again dropped off Verity, Wyatt at silly point failing to hold a hardhit stroke. AMien the partnership had realised 388, Ponsford on-drove Verity hard to the boundary, but touched his wicket with his heel in making the stroke and just dislodged a bail. He had batted 375 minutes and given a great display. He gave three difficult chances. He hit 21 fours. 427 —4—lßl. McCabe joined Bradman and opened by twice glancing Verity to the fence. Bradman continued to score steadily without relaxation of vigilance. When the weary bowlers, as occasionally happened, sent down a good ball, Bradman showed he was still fresh. Bradman's Masterly Batting Pulling Verity for a splendid six—the first of the match—and hooking Hopwood to the fence. Bradman reached his 250 in 355 minutes. McCabe did not attempt too much but allowed Bradman to make the best use of the bowling, which was in the last stages of weariness. Off the next over from Hopwood Bradman scored 15, including a powerful, swinging six. At the end of the day's play Bradman had hit two sixes and 39 fours, and had batted 370 minutes. Four policemen protected Bradman from his admirers as he ran to the dressing-room. The innings so far has lasted 415 minutes. Details of the scores are:— ENGLAND. —First Innings Walters, c and b Chipperfiehl . . 44 Keeton, c Oldfield, b O'Reilly . • 25 Hammond, b Wall 37 Hendren, b Chipperfiehl 29 Wyatt, st Oldfielil, b Grimmett . . 19 Leyland, Ibw, b O'Reilly 16 Ames, c Oldfield, b Grimmett . . 9 Hopwood. lbw, b O'Reilly .... 8 Verity, not out 2 Mitchell, st Oldfield, b Grimmett . . 9 Bow,es, c Ponsford, b Grimmett . . 0 Extras . . 2 Total . . . . . . 200 Fall of Wickets.—One for 43, two for 85, three for 135, four for 135, five for 168, six for 170, seven for 189, eight for 189, nine for 200. Bowling Analysis Overs Mdns. Runs Wkts. O'Reilly . . 35 16 46 3 Chipperfiehl ] 18 6 35 2 Grimmett . . 30.4 11 57 4 Wall .... 18 1 57 1 McCabe 4 2 3 0 AUSTRALIA. —First Innings Brown, b Bowes 15 Ponsford, hit wicket, b Verity . . 181 Oldfield, c Ames b Bowes .... 0 Woodfull, b Bowes 0 Bradman, not out 271 McCabe, not out 18 Extras 9 Total for four wickets . . . . 494 Fall of Wickets.—One for 37, two for 39, three for 39, four for 427. Bowling Analysis Overs Mdns. Runs Wkts. Bowes .... 35 8 99 3 Hammond . . 22 5 56 0 Mitchell ..23 1 117 0 Verity . . . . 39 11 100 1 Hopwood . . 30 7 93 0 Leyland . . 5 0 20 0 The extras included eight leg-byes. Great interest attaches to the continuation of Bradman's innings at Leeds to-day, in view of the prospect he has of beating his previous record ! score of 334 against England in a test match in 1930, also played at Leeds. At Auckland in 1933, in a test match between England and New Zealand, W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire) made 336. Previously Bradman had made six centuries in test matches against England, four of which were scored in England. Details are: —112, at Melbourne, 1928-29; 123, at Melbourne, 1928-29; 131, at Nottingham, 1930; 254, at Lord's, 1930; 334, at Leeds, 1930; 232, at the Oval, 1930.

Wicket records in England and Australia in first-class matches are as follows: — Wicket England Australia First . . 555 Jifi Second . . 398 334 Third . . 375 362 Fourth . , 418 315 Fifth .. 393 397 • Sixlh ..411 428 Seventh . . 344 20,S Eighth . . 292 270 Ninth . . 283 232 Tenth . . 235 307 The English record of 555 for the first wicket was established by P. Holmes, 224 not out, and H. Sutclilic, 81.'), in the match Yorkshire against Essex in 1932. The Australian record of 456 was created by W. H. l'onsford, 248, and E. R. Mayne, 209, for Victoria agttins# Queensland in Melhourne in 1923. The English sccond-wicket record of 398 is held by A. Shrewsbury, 267, and W. Gunn, 196, their scores being registered for Notts against Sussex at Nottingham in 1890. The Australian record, 331, is held by A. A. .1 acks.cn, 166, and D. G. Bradman, 258, for New South Wales against South Australia at Adelaide in 1930. The English third-wicket record, 375, stands to the credit of J. W. Hearne, 232, and E. Hendren, 177 not out, for Middlesex against Hampshire in 1923. The Australian record is 362, bv C. G. Macartney, 208, and W. Bardsfey, 184 not out, for Australians against Essex in 1912. The English fourth-wicket record, 448, is held by R. Abel, 193, and T. Hayward, 273, for Surrey against Yorkshire in 1899. The Australian record, 315, stands to the credit of M. A. Noble, 176, and S. E. Gregory, 201, for New South Wales against Victoria in 1908.