FINAL CRICKET TEST

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12075, 28 February 1925, Page 5

FINAL CRICKET TEST

AUSTRALIA 7 FOR 239 PONSFOR D-KIPPA X PARTNERSHIP YIELDS 105 RUNS. THREE WICKETS GO CHEAPLY* Br Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received February 29, 9.30 p.m.) SYDNEI', Eebruarv .27. The fifth of tfie present series of cricket Tests, and the 109th match between England and Australia, commenced in fine, cool weather. The wicket was iu perfect condition, and the outfield good. A wind was blowing down the pitch. Collins’s luck, so far as the spin of the. coin was concerned, was again in. When Gilligan led his men into the field, the attendance was in the viciuity of IO.QOO. GREGORY CAUGHT NAPPING. Australia made an inauspicious open* ing, losing three good wickets before Lunch, for 64 runs. Eight minutes after the commencement, in Gilligan’a first over, Collins just snicked a ball, which Strudwick, standing well back, received. Gregory and Ryder kept their end up for a time, but the scoring was slow. Both played cautiously, and hit only loose ones, When, the total was 55 Ryder hit a ball to square leg, and ran. Tate fielded it smartly, and Strudwick had the bails off before Gregory had got half way up the pitch. It was a doubtful run, but if Gregory had moved smartly he would probably have got home. Ho had batted for 54 minutes. MANY NARROW ESCAPES.

Ryder played soundly, and used his weight to advantage. He possesses a nice late cut, with which he frequently finds gaps in the slips. Andrews and Taylor went for every possible run, and both had many narrow escapes from being stumped. The first century took 116 minutes. When Ponsford and Kippax became associated Australia's prospects began to look brighter. Neither took risks, but both hit hard at anything loose. Kiiner and Woolley bowled with ouly one slip, and both batsmen obtained many runs by means of the Lite cut. When the board showed 173 Kippax was nearly run out. He just reached the crease in time. Both gained confidence as the afternoon progressed, and took greater liberties, but the English fielding, especially that or Sandham in the outfield, was good. PONSFORD GIVES CHANCES. The attendance increased to 20.000, and Ponsford and Kippax made play more lively. The partnership scored 100 runs in 90 minutes. A\hen IJ3 went up Ponsford returned a vast low one to Tate, which just touched the latter’s fingers. runs , I^ r Hendren missed i.u —ard one-hand-ed catch off him in the slips. _ Most of the attack was entrusted to Kiiner and Tate, both of whom maintained excellent length. Gilligan ana Hearne proved ineffective against Ponsford and Kippax. Ponaford was 58 he was missed by XV liysall at second slip. . Kippax batted lor 101 minutes, and hit one four. , , Ponsford on the whole showed good judgment in placing his- hi chances being mostly Mishits. Lispar - nership with Kippax yielded 105. SLIPSHOD FIELDING. During the last hour of the play the ekv clouded over, and the light was not good. The English fielding became in tire lax than usual; the men seemed to allow more balls to slip past, and to miss more catches. They also appeared to wait tor the ball instead of running to meet it. Ponsford batted for 140 minutes, and hit six fours. . At 5.30 p.m an appeal against tha light was upheld, ana stumps were drawn with the score at seven for 239. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Strudwick, b Gilligan ... 1 Ryder, b Kiiner “9 Gregory, run out 29 Andrews, c Whysall, b Kiiner ... 2b Taylor, c Whysall, b Tate 15 Ponsford, c Woolley b Kiiner 80 Kippax, b Kiiner 42 Kelleway (in) 9 Oldfield (in) Extras ° Total for seven wickets .. 239

PRESENT-DAY BOWLING

“DEMON” SPOFFORTH CRITICAL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY. February 27. F. R. Spofforth, the former “demon” bowler, referring to the presentday bowlers, said that he. thought that length and break had been sacrificed for swerve, and the “googly” swerve had to be controlled to be effective. From what he had seen of the many swerve bowlers of to-day they overpitched the ball.