AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19803, 31 May 1926, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS

MATCH AGAINST MIDDLESEX. AUSTRALIA LOSE FOUR WICKETS FOR 35T. (Pres* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, May 29. (Received May 30, at 5.5 p.m.) At cricket the Australians are playing Middlesex at Lords. The weather was fine, with a warm cool breeze. The attendance was 30,000, and the wicket was hard. Collins won the toss and elected to bat. Mailey, Richardson, Ponsford, Ellis and Hendry were omitted from the team, Haig and Dunston were 'the opening bowlers. The start was slow which was due, not only to natural care, but to Durston bowling short balls, which were rising dangerously. Bardsley was safer than Woodfull, and followed the ball more accurately. He hit three excellent fours during the first quarter of an hour. Durston persisted in tempting him with long hops on the offside, which were persistently declined. Runs came, freely from Haig. Macartney opened brightly and scored quickly off Haig and Tanner whose length was uncertain. Allen made an excellent start with the ball, and had Macartney guessing twice in the first over Both batsmen obtained pretty boundaries past point. Macartney also scored from glances to leg. Stevens varied his attack but the scori mounted rapidly. The field inw was poor. Macartney war brilliantly held low at third slip by Tanner. He hit six fours. His innings was characterised by good scoring shots all round the wicket. With the association of the captain ai ! vice-captain, scoring was slowed down considerably. When his score was eight, Collins gave a difficult chance to Tanner high .com Haig. Collins obtained his runs more easily than usual. Bardsley continued to be attractive, and gained many runs from the front of the wicket, and excelled in finding open spots. He had a considerable slice of luck, and went out in trying to turn a ball from Hearne to leg. His score included eight fours, the total was then 3 wickets for 151 runs. Andrews before he had opened his score had a very lucky escape, a he cocked up a ball between the bowler and mid-on. Neither attempted to reach it. He then stepped out to the bowling, cut well and hooked cleanly. Tanner, with an obvious break action, presented no difficulties. The bowling was changed frequently. Durston kept a good pace, but his length was short, and Collins declined ball after ball. Andrews, when 61, had an uncomfortable over from Haig, and survived appeals for log before wicket and stumping. Collins after 25 minutes without scoring,. got Durston away to the boundary with a leg glance, which to-day was one of his few scoring strokes Andrews opened his shoulders, driving Haig to the on, and cutting him nicely. He scored a four, a two, end four in one over. When 86 he was clean bowled by a no ball from Allen. Later he stepped out to a no ball from the same bowler, and was bowled. Both batsmen began to hit more freely, and were pulling Tanner spectacularly to the boundary. Andrews reached his century in 125 minutes. Cbllins when approaching Ifis 100 was patient, and refused to take opportunities. Then an excellent cut from Haig was magnificently held by Tanner low down. He hatted for 195 minutes and hit seven fours. The board read 336 runs for four wickets Andrews continued magnificently and drove powerfully all round. He had hitherto scored sixteen fours. During the afternoon rain twice interrupted play. Scores:— AUSTRALIA. Bardsley, b Heme 70 Woodfull, c Hendren, b Durston ... 3 Macartney c Tanner, b Haig 44 Collins, c Tanner, b Haig 99 Andrews, not out *. 120 Taylor, not out , *2O Extras 20 Total for four wickets 357 SOUTH OF ENGLAND MATCH. ABANDONED OWING TO RAIN. LONDON. May 28. Owing to rain overnight the wicket was unfit for play, and the match against South of England had to be abandoned Reuter. Bowling Analysis Australian innings : Meyer, one wicket fot 63 runs; Gibsop, two for 88; Parker, two for 58; Fender, one for 58; Stevens, none for 52. Ryder’s total included one six and seven fours, while Andrews hit eight fours.—Reuter. The home team in their first innings made 211, and Australia had six wickets down* for 328 (Ryder 108 not out,' Andrews 74 not out, Woodfull 69.