TEST CRICKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22191, 19 August 1935, Page 9

TEST CRICKET

THE FINAL MATCH AFRICANS START WELL 297 FOR SIX WICKETS CENTURY TO MITCHELL By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received August 18. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 17 The final cricket test match between England and South Africa was begun to-day at the Oval. The weather was fine and the wicket in perfect order. England won the toss and put the South Africans in. They made 297 for six wickets. Holmes stood out of the English team and Barber was 12th man. Tomlinson, Balaskas and Bell stood out of the visitors' eleven and Williams was 12th man. There wt?re 20,000 spectators after luncheon. Read, the Essex fast howler, who was making his debut in test matches, opened the bowling with Nichols, but both were innocuous. The batsmen were confident. At 30 Bend bowled Mitchell but it was a noball. Wyatt repeatedly changed the bowlers. He tried Clay, Hammond, Bowas and finally Robins. Siedle and Mitchell sent up the 100 after 115 minutes' play. Both played clianceless cricket Mitchell's Model Display Robins started impressively- after luncheon, taking two wickets for one run in his second over and breaking the opening partnership. The visitors then became cautious.

Wyatt cleverly took a low catch from Nourse with his left hand. Read bowled a fine pace but with an uneven length. * Mitchell reached his century in 210 minutes. He was fast, compared with Yiljcen, whom the crowd mildly barracked. The constant changes of bowlers was vindicated when Read was brought on again after tea. This resulted in the dismissal of Mitcholl, who had played a model defensive innings for 128. He hit with precision and judgment and batted 255 minutes. His score included 11 fours. Wade Out Without Scoring Cameron, in spite of a confident start, was easily caught in the slips. The South Africans then redoubled £heir caution. Wade batted 25 minutes without scoring and then was caught. Viljoen continued slowly hut faultlessly, completing his 50 in 140 minutes. The visitors forced the pace somewhat in the closing stages as tho light weakened. Details of the scores are: — SOUTH AFRICA —First Innings Siedle, c Ames, b Robins . . . . 35 B. Mitchell, c Ames, b Read . . 128 Rowan, lbw, b Robins 0 Nourse, c Wyatt, b Bowes . . . . 32 Viljoen, not out 60 Cameron, cA. Mitchell, b Read . . 8 Wade, c Hammond, b Bowes .... 0 Dalton, not out . > . 21 Extras 13 Total for six wickets ..■ r * . . 297 As the match will be limited to three days South Africa's position appears to make a drawn game certain providing the conditions remain favourable. The decision of Wyatt in sending the South Africans in after winning the toss is surprising on account of the conditions favouring the batsmen. England had a great opportunity to make a good score and then perhaps get the South Africans on a soft wicket. Providing the match is drawn the South Africans will win the test honours for the first time in England, as they were successful in the second test match, the first, third and fourth tests having been drawn. WYATT'S DECISION PUTTING IN THE VISITORS PRESS GENERALLY APPROVES (Received August 18, 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 18 Wyatt's action in putting the South Africans in first in'the test match at the Oval is much discussed. His action is believed to have been due to a desire to exploit his battery of fast bowlers while the August dew was on the turf. The newspapers generally approve his decision. Tho Daily Mail, prior to the match, said it believed the South Africans were stale. It pointed out that their tour consists of 40 matches, or six more than the Australians usually play.