THE TEST MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18183, 2 March 1921, Page 5

THE TEST MATCH.

AUSTRALIA’S FIFTH VICTORY. MARGIN OF NINE WICKETS. A LIFELESS FINISH. • Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, March 1. The last chapter of the fifth test match was spiritless and uninteresting. With 68 required to win and all wickets intact, the result was a foregone conclusion, though heavier rain overnight might easily have found Australia scratching for runs on a sticky wicket. The outfield was heavy as the result of the rain, and the wicket was damp but not troublesome, excepting to the bowlers, who required sawdust to ensure a secure foothold. Woolley and Parkin opened the attack, both batsmen adopting astonishingly cautious methods, to the surprise of the few hundred spectators. The first 50 was registered in 54 minutes. Wilson then endeavoured to effect a separation, but the batsman watched the ball as carefully as. if the ashes hung in the balance. With five runs to • win and two for the half-century, Bardsley hit Wilson to square leg for a brace, after 92 minutes’ play. Both batsmen -pottered about for three overs, endeavouring to register the necessary runs, until Collins snicked Wilson into Strudwick’s hands. His 37 had been made in 100 minutes. Macartney scored two singles, one each from Wilson and Rhodes, and Australia won by nine wickets, losing one wicket for 93 runs. . The following are the scores: ENGLAND, First Innings ... 204 Second Innings 280 Total ... ... 484 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 332 Second Innings. Collins, c Strudwick, b Wilson ... 37 Bardsley, not out ... 50 Macartney,' not out .;. • ... 2 Sundries 4 Total, one wicket for 93 Bowling .Analysis.—Wilson, .1 wicket, 8 runs; Rhodes, 0 wicket, 20 runs; Woolley, 0 wicket, 27 runs; Parkin, 0 wicket, 62 runs; Fender, 0 wicket, 2 runs, 1 no-ball. WILSON ON THE “BARRACKING.” LONDON, February 28. (Received March 1, at 8.5 p.m.) Wilson’s cable to the Daily Express merely says,, that when Wilson was stumped, he had a memorable reception, even members hooting him. Hobbs had a wonderful welcome; with three cheers both'when walking out/and walking in.— A. and N.Z, Cable. “A TESTY MATCH.” V •THE'DAILY EXPRESS. LONDON, February 28. (Received March 1, at 8.5 p.m.) The Daily Express, in a leading article entitled “ A Testy Match,” says: “ Good sportsmen will regret the scenes which marred the final test. In the first place a section of the crowd jeered at Hobbs s slow movement,-due, as all inust know, to an injury. When Wilson made criticism of this conduct the crowd retorted by subjecting him and Fender to violent barracking. The whole thing is wretched, and the explanation probably is that the attack upon Wilson masked a sense of shame which the crowd would not confess. The ovation to Hobbs in the second innings bears this interpretation. It is im portant that the Marylebone-Australian Board should concert measures against the display of temper. We have been well and deservedly beaten, and it will be a thousand pities if our sincere congratulations to the winners should be mixed with ahy bitterness. If the test matches are to continue, if cricket is to keep its place as a clean, wholesome game, the decencies of sportsmanship must be preserved all over the ground, and not only inside the boundaries. Tlie Daily News says: “It is unfortunate that the .last test match, which nothing but a miracle can prevent ending in the complete discomfiture of the Englishmen, should be accompanied by an exhibition of ill-feeling towards members of the English team. Fender and Wilson have Once or twice mildly criticised by implication the umpires’ decisions. They also stated that the spectators rather senselessly barracked Hobbs, who was lame and in pain, for his inactivity in fielding. The Australian cricketihg public, while not exactly fastidious in its own attitude, seems surprisingly sensitive when a little plain speaking is directed against itself or its favourites. We do not think Fender has been unfair or one-sided in his criticism. He bestowed-ample praise on the Australians.- Besides, there was no rancour in his remarks upon the umpires’ decisions. They are honest and such as appear daily in the English press during the season. One would have imagined that even the Australian papers occasionally allow themselves the liberty of saying that an umpire made a mistake. The barracking of Hobbs is in another category. It is impossible for Fender and Wilson to have made such a Complaint if it was not justified. Moreover, at least one Australian paper admits that there was some jeering. We need not take such incidents too seriously. Australian barrackers are usually good-huliioUred and-impartial in their banter, and the crowd must not be judged by less sporting elements. The Australians won fairly and squarely because they have the better side.”—A. and N.Z. Cable. FENDER’S VERSION, v LONDON, March 1. (Received March i, at 9.25 p.m.) Fehder, cabling to the Daily N ews, says; “There were extraordinary scenes frequently, one section of the spectators oarracking hard while the remainder, who were the larger part, provided a sympa thetic demonstration, though even a certain section of the members barracked Wilson when he was given but. Hobbs had a great ovation, as also had Douglas.” —A. and N.Z.! Cable. AMATEUR JOURNALISTS. LONDON, March 1. (Received March 1, at 9.55 p.m.) The Daily Chronicle does not refer to the scenes editorially, but alludes to Fender and Wilson in the news columns as amateur journalists. Apart from the Daily News and Daily Express, which support their correspondents Fender and Wilson, the morning newspapers give little prominence to the Sydney, barracking. In several cases the Regular local correspondents set the events in a different from the Daily News and Daily Express. Several, including Sporting Life and Sportsman, urge the Marylebone Club to forbid cricketers commenting oh their own 1 games, and the Sportsman, suggests that .the, Marylebone Board of Control should hold an inquiry when both teams arrive in England.—A. and N.Z. Cable. OPINION AT HOME. •; LONDON. February 28. The fate of the match was lost sight of in the (interest displayed in the cabled reports of the barracking. Opinion is emphatic that players should be debarred from cabling to newspapers. The Star says that a little tact on Wilson’s part would have saved much. - The Guardian refers to “this unfortunate tour, adding: “ It is a consolation to kiiow that the team will shortly be bn board the Osterley,” , „ Mr Warner said ; “ I feel it very itiuch, but after all, such incidents, however regrettable, are trifling con-roared with the glorious history of Anglo-Australian cricket.” He had always found the Australian crowds the best of sportsmen. They invariably gave the English players a most hospitable and affectionate welcome. “Yon can rest assured that the Australian team will be most cordially welcomed in England, and that any misunderstanding will be forgotten.” , The evening papers feature ! the scenes on the Sydney Cricket Ground. , The 'Star Says : ■ “ The question of allowing ’ players to cable criticisms during future tours will now undoubtedly settle

itself. The Australian crowds have not forgotten Wilson’s earlier complaints about the umpire’s ruling.” The Westminster Gazette says: “The match was marred by a great deal of barracking, the crowd being up in arms over Wilson’s and Fender’s cables. But whatever the barracking Hobbs may have received earlier, he certainly had a remarkable reception in the second innings.”— A. and N.Z. Cable. THE ASHES. SYDNEY, March 1. The manager of the English team (Mr F. C. Toone), in a letter to the secretary of the Board of Cricket Control (Mr_ S. Smith), thanking the cricket and civic authorities for the kind and generbus treatment accorded the visitors every where, adds: “ I cannot leave Australia after five happy months without congratulating you on the possession of a powerful side,- which so handsomely recovered the ‘ashes.’ ” HEAENE’S HEALTH. ' ' ADELAIDE, March 1. - (Received March 2, at 0.10 a.m.) HeArne states that he is astounded at the report that his health is precarious. He says he will play in Adelaide if required, as already he is. much improved.— A. and N.Z. Cable. , j