BATSMEN ON TOP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23044, 23 May 1938, Page 9

BATSMEN ON TOP

AUSTRALIAN PLAYERS MATCH WITH SURREY \ VISITORS FIVE FOB 432 CENTURY TO BRADMAN By Telegraph—Press Association-—Copyright (Received May 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 21 Batting first in the match commenced against Surrey at the Oval to-day, the Australian cricketers made 432 for five wickets. Following up his recent brilliant performances, Bradman made another fine century. The weather was fine and cool and the wicket was in excellent order. There was an attendance of 18,000. Walker, McCormick, Barnes, McCabe and Fleetwood-Smith were omitted from the Australian eleven. The Surrey team comprises E. R. T. Holmes, captain, Garland-Wells, Brown, Gregory, Brooks', Squires, Barlin, Gover, Fishlock, Watts and Berry

Bradman won the toss and decided to bat. Fingleton and Brown made a quiet start against the accurate speed bowling of Gover and the medium-fast swingers of Watts, each of whom made the ball move a great deal. Slow Scoring Rate

Scoring proceeded at a slow rate, relieved on occasions by boundaries. Fingleton, who was clean bowled in attempting to pull a full toss, was replaced by Bradman. The Australian champion began in a jaunty manner and none of the Surrey bowlers could make an impression on him. However, Brown was lucky when, with his score at 60, Holmes missed an easy chance at mid-off. Facing Squires and Gover after the luncheon interval, both batsmen were quiet, runs coming mostly in singles. The partnership, which added 70 runs in 100 minutes, continued without any "fireworks," and the 200 mark was reached after 165 minutes. Gover and Watts took the new ball and the latter's first delivery swung away from Brown, who was caught at the wicket. He had batted three hours „ and had played his most impressive innings of the tour to date. He hit four fours. Watts almost had Bradman in the same over, the batsman jabbing his bat down on a ball which kept low. Bradman reached his century in 130 minutes. Hassett Again Confident Badcock gave a short and bright display, while Hassett opened in a confident manner and continued in his usual unhurried style. Bradman was brilliantly caught in attempting to glance Watts. He was at the crease for 190 minutes and hit 11 fours. Chipperfield punished Squires and hit three fours in one over. Hassett had a "life" with his score at 36. He was barracked at times for his slowness. Waite and Hassett played out time. Details of the score are as follow: AUSTRALIA—First innings Fingleton, b Brown .. . • • ■ 47 Brown, c Brooks, b Watts . . • • 9o Bradman, c Brooks, b Watts . . 14.i Badcock, b Brown p Hassett, not out .. .. Chipperfield, b Gover . . •. • • Waite, not out • • ™ Extras • • • r Total for five wickets .. . . 432 COUNTY FAILS

NORTHAMPTON FIXTURE EASY WIN FOR VISITORS LONDON, May 21 Dismissing Northamptonshire for 194 and 135, the Australians, who declared at 406 for six wickets, beat the weakest county in last year's championship by an innings and 77 runs. The county's second innings was virtually a repetition of the first. The early batsmen, Nelson, Greenwood and Snowden, played well, but the. others showed little class against steady bowling. ' A hailstorm stopped play for a quarter of an hour, but even this could not prevent an Australian victory. The New Zealanders F. P. O'Brien and W. E. Merritt, both of Canterbury, were out as the result of weak strokes. A ninth wicket stand between the other New Zealander, K. C. James, Wellington, and Partridge, realised 40 runs, the best of the innings. Australia won with half an hour to spare. Following are the scores:—

AUSTRALIA First innings, six wickets, dec. . . 406 NORTHANTS First innings 194 Second Innings Nelson, b Fleetwood-Smith . . . . 10 Greenwood, b McCabe .... . . 43 Snowden, b Waite . 13 Timms, b Waite 5 Brookes, lbw, b McCabe .... . . 15 Cuthbertson, b McCabe .. .. .. 0 O'Brien, c sub, b Ward .... . . 3 James, b Fleetwood-Smith . . . . 21 Merritt, lbw, b McCabe . . . . . . 1 Partridge, not out .. 16 Herbert, lbw, b Waite . . .... 1 Extras 7 Total 135 Bowling.—McCabe took four wickets for 28 runs, Waite three for 28, Fleet-wood-Smith two for 55, Ward one for 17. McCORMICK'S INJURY PLAYER ORDERED REST LONDON. May 20 The injury to E. L. McCormick's ankle through his putting a Joot in a pot-hole in the bowling run-up at Lord's last Monday has proved to be more serious than was thought. Australia's only fast bowler was in bed in London throughout the team's visit to Northampton. A doctor warned him that bowling at present might produce graver consequences.