FOURTH TEST MATCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19407, 17 February 1925, Page 7

FOURTH TEST MATCH

AUSTRALIA’S BAD START. EARLY BATSMEN GO CHEAPLY. RAIN INTERRUPTS PLAY. CROWD RESENTS DELAYS. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 16. (Received Feb. 16, at 9,10 p.m.j When play was resumed this morning in tho lest match the weather was dull and suggestive of rain. There were 4000 poisons present at tho commencement. Australia’s first innings was opened by Collins and A. Richardson, facing Tate and Gilligan, on a good wicket. Collins greeted Gilligan by pulling him for four, and ho then late cut Tate for five, Whysall’s overthrow yielding four. Tho Australian skipper reached 20 in a quarter of an hour. Tho fielding at this stago was indifferent, Hobbs and Whysall being faulty, and tiio crowd was heckling Tate for no apparent reason. In attempting to turn Tat© to leg Collins sent tho ball to Kilnor at mid-on, a.nd tiro fieldsman took a fine catch. I—21 —22— 38. Tate provided another sensation when ho completely beat Ryder with the fourth ball of the over, with the result that the batsman pulled it on. 2—0—38. Bardsloy joined Richardson, and twice cut Tate through tho slips to tho boundary. 110 also turned Gilligan to fino leg tor four.; Tho veteran was thrilling the crowd with his risky late cuts when Hoame wont on to bowl. His first over spelt disaster for Australia. Richardson pulled a short ono and then tho deadly Hobbs with a low return threw Bardsley’s wicket down. This was unfortunate, for Bardaley had 24 on, and appeared to be set. 3 —24 —64. This was similar to tho disastrous start in tho last Test played here, when three wickets were down for 37. Tho youthful Ponsford received an ova/tion on going to the wicket, but he appeared to be uncomfortable when facing Tate. Richardson took an hour to make 19, then Hoarne bent him with an off break. 4—19—74. The retiring man’s display was tho opposite of his usual stylo, being overcautious and cramped. Taylor filled tho vacancy, and immediately took the offensive, while Ponsford remained obviously nervous before Tate, though he got n couple of streaky strokes off that bowler. Drizzling rain was falling at lunch time. On resuming Hondren splendidly saved one of Taylor’s hits from going to tiro boundary. Ponsford, who was still over-careful, reached forward to one of Henrno’a deliveries and snicked tho ball into Strudwick’s hands. Tho cramped batting was proving disastrous. Taylor was the only batsman who was showing any enterprise. Light rain was now falling. Andrews, who was tho next man in, evidently thought that forcing tactics wore wise, and he quickly ran to double figures. Taylor was putting power into his strokes, but tho results wore marred by good fielding. By this time 18,090 persons wore present. The rnin continued, causing an adjournment for 20 minutes. A fresh start was made, but at 3.45 p.m. play was again adjourned, and tho crowd became angry. The players took tho field again after 40 minutes, but immediately adjournbd owing to the rain. The crowd was now hostile, and a couple of daring spectators jumped the fence to see the wicket. This was tho signal for a general stampede of 500 persons across the ground. Tho crowd approached tho members’ stand, clamouring for play, and calling for Gilligan. They noticed Hobbs in tho stand, and shouted for an explanation. Tho police dealt tactfully with tho crowd, from whom came an abundance of boohooing, heckling, and counting out, while ono section played two-up in front of tho stoarf. The demonstration lasted for three-quarters of an hour. As the rain proved permanent stumps were drawn at 5.30 p.m. Scores:— ENGLAND. First Innings 548 AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, o Kilnor, b Tate 22 A. Richardson, b Hearn© •• ... ... 19 Ryder, b Tate 0 Bardsloy. run Out 24 Ponsford, c Strudwick, b Ilearno 21 Taylor, not out 42 Andrews, not out 33 Extras _ ... 7 Total for five wickets ... M .« 168 HENDREN’S FINE DISPLAY. OTHER BATSMEN LACK ENTERPRISE. SYDNEY, February 16. Tho Sydney Morning Herald, commenting on the match, says: “ The increased pace of the pitch compared with the previous day assisted Muiloy in that it made it more difficult for the batsmen to adopt tho ‘ stay-right-back ’ method of defence of tho previous day, thus inducing them to come forward and so leading directly to tho early successes enjoyed by his howling. Tho spcedy..dismiseal of Sutcliffe came «a a surprise to the spectators and a shock to England’s expectations. With tho dismissal of Woolley and Chapman tho advantage England had gained waa slipping away once again. A big responsibility rested on Hendrcn, and it was duo to Viia batting, ably assisted by Whysall and Kilnor, that tho balance was restored, and England finished off fho clay in a very strong position. Tho baiting throughout the day, with th© exception of Hendren, was rather laborious, and was lacking in enterprise. The howling was good and tho attack carried on with great energy, vigour, and accuracy. “A correspondent considers it might have been better in tactics on tho part of the Englishmen to have lost the last wicket quickly. Tho mere occupancy of the crease till nearly time did not greatly benefit tho bating side, whereas to get the home side in for a few overs might easily have boon of great benefit to England.

“The outstanding' individual successes of the day were those of Hendren, Whysall, and Kilnor with the bat, and Oldfield behind the sticks. Hendren certainly played the best innings of the day. He made all his strokes with the greatest of confidence. One of the most important features of the innings was the three-figure partnership of Whysall and Kilner, w r hich came at a. lime when runs were needed in order to drive homo the initial gained by the opening batsmen.*’