ENGLAND V. SOUTH AFRICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19201, 18 June 1924, Page 5

ENGLAND V. SOUTH AFRICA

HOME TEAM MAKES 433. VISITORS COLLAPSE IN FIRST INNINGS. LOWEST TOTAL IN TEST CRICKET, Preca Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 16. England in their first innings made 438. The weather was tine and warm, and the attendance at the start was about SOCO. England’s score was made in ©23 minutes. South Africa in their first innings were disposed of tor 30, the innings lasting 49 minutes. Tho first three wickets fell alter 17 balls had been delivered. Gilligan and Tate wore most destructive bowlers. Iho formed yorked Nupen and got Parker leg before wicket with the first baßs which ho had bowled in test cricket. He disposed of Snsskind, whom Kilner took at short log. Both bowlers were enthusiastically cheered. . . , A possible explanation of the visitors failure is that they batted on a hard, fast wicket after a month of wet wickets. The afternoon was hot and occasionally cltzudv. Tho attendance increased to 10,000. Tate and Gilligan opened the bowling in South Africa’s second innings. Tho former dismissed Taylor with a low left-handed catch after 50 minutes. Tho second century appeared as the result of 223 minutes play. When stumps were drawn South Africa had lost four wickcta for 274. , England’s score is a record against South Africa in this country/ and the Africans’ score is the lowest total ever mad© in England in any test. Commaille fell to a smart catch by Hendren in the slips, the ball flying off the batsman’s glove. Tho following are the scores: ENGLAND. First innings. Sutcliffe, b Parker 64 Hobbs Ibw b Blanckenberg 76 Woolley c Ward b Parker 64 Hendren c Nourse b Parker 74 Chapman b Parker 8 Ponder c Taylor b Blanckenberg ... 36 Kilner o and b Pegler 59 Tate c Taylor b Parker • Lj Gilligan b Pegler ../■ 13 Wood b Parker ... Parkin not out 8 Extras 16 Total 43d Bowling Analysis.—Parker, six wickets for 152; Pegler, two for 106; Blanckenberg, two for 95. SOUTH AFRICA. FIRST INNINGS. Catterall b Gilligan ... 0 Susskind c Kilner b Tate 5 Taylor b Tate 7 Nourse Ibw b Gilligan Blanckenberg b Tate 4 Commaillo not out 1 Dean Ibw b Gilligan ‘2 Nupen b Gilligan 0 Pegler b Tate 0 Ward b GilUgan 1 Parker Ibw b Gilligkn ... 0 Extras —■ •• ... H Total 30 Bowling Analysis.—Gilligan, six wickets for 7 ; Tate, four for 12. [The smallest total scored in an innings in test cricket, prior to this match, was 36 by Australia at Edgbnston, in 1902.] Second innings. Taylor c and b Tat© ... 44 Commaille c Hendren b Tate ... ... 29 Susskind b Gilligan 5 Noarse c Wood b Gilligan 4 Catterall not out 52 Blanckenberg not out 66 Total for four wickets .. 274 [The scores as cabled make 236. No extras are given.] GILLIGAN’S DEADLY BOWLING. SENSATION OF THE SEASON. LONDON, Juno 16. (Received Juno 17, at 5.5 p.m.) Gilligan’s astonishing performance was tho sensation not only of the day of the season. His pace was bewildering after the dead wickets of recent weeks. Taylor, who opened tho innings, did not receive a ball until tho fifth batsman had appeared. Gilligan sent down three no balls, and after each secured a wicket, which recalled the old Yorkshire saying—- “ After a wide, a wicket.’’ The South Africans persisted in playing back to u deliveries, and this made their strokes closely resemble half volleys. Gilligan twice took two wickets with successive balls. Tate was fully equal to his caplain, though his figures were less sensational. His length was perfect, and his continually varied deliveries disconcerted the Africans. In the second innings Commaille played with the set purpose of wearing down tho bowling. He was dour doggodness personified. After making a poor beginning the rest batted excellently, though Catterall was nervous. —A. and N.Z. Cable. OPINIONS OF EXPERTS. VISITORS CAPABLE OF BETTER THINGS. LONDON, June 17. (Received June 17, at 7.5 p.m.) Mr A. C. MacLaren, writing in tho Daily Express, says: “Despite the first innings sensation, the day’s play will cause some anxiety to the English selection committee. Taylor put a heavy roller on the wicket, which brought the damp to tho top so that the nail was certain to turn for about 20 minutes. The star bstsmen failed to break down these early difficulties and pave the way for the rest of the team to bat on a plumb wicket. Gilligan’s direction and length wore splendid. Tate was ©anally difficult, but the South Africans in their second innings made Parkin, Kilner and Fender seem tame. Just when the game should have been finished quickly Catterall and Blanckenberg played in heroic style. The South Africans may surprise us yet. The man must be an optimist who shouts about tlxe bowling strength of England.” Mr P. F. .Warner, writing in the Morning Post, says: “The day began with disaster for tho South Africans, but ended in triumph. The wicket was perfection' itself, hut the batsmen seemed quite helpless against the splendid howling of Gilligan .and Tate. It was an utter rout, and what followed made it more incomprehensible. Scarcely ever can there have been a greater contrast in a single day’s cricket. The explanation of tho first innings lies in the fact that the South Africans for the first time in their tour met with a really fast wicket, and were nil late in timing the ball. Taylor and Commaillo started tho second innings with as much confidence as if the side had made 300 runs instead of 30. It was only natural towards tile end of a hot day that the Englishmen should tire in the field, and during the last hour Catterall and Blnnckonberg scored at a fast rate. Both should liavo been out before the close of play, but their free balling delighted everybody, the crowd dispersing full of enthusiasm for tho Africans’ pluck. It was n remarkable day’s play, and if there should bo a succession of hard, true wickets, I think the Africans will prove a far better side, than thef have hitherto been regarded.”—A. and N.Z. Cable.