PAYNTER'S CENTURIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23259, 31 January 1939, Page 15

PAYNTER'S CENTURIES

TWO AGAINST SOUTH AFRICA HAMMOND'S FINE AGGREGATE Tho Lancashire left-hand batsman E. Paynter was tho hero of the first test match between England and South Africa, played at Johannesburg in Christmas week, and joined tho small band of players who have made two centuries in a test match. His scores were 117 and 100. P. A. Gibb, tho Cambridge University batsman and wicketkeeper, who also plays for Yorkshire, very nearly did the same thing, his scores being 93 and 106. Another feature of the match was that Walter Hammond, England's champion, completed an aggregate of 6000 runs in test cricket. This exceeds the aggregate of any other player, the only others to make more than 'SOOO runs being J. B. Hobbs with 5410 and D. G. Bradman with 5093. Bradman, of course, has played fewer games than have Hammond and Hobbs, and has a far greater average. Hitherto, A. C. Russell and H. Sutcliffe have bcei the only players to make two centuries in a test between England and South Africa. Sutcliffo has also accomplished the feat against Australia, so that he has a unique record in this respect. Paynter and Gibb were making their first appearances against South Africa in a test, so that they have the further honour of making a century in their first game. Paynter, of course, has made three figures against Australia. They were the only Fnglisli batsmen who did much in this game, for tho next best scorer was Hammond with 24 and 58.