CRICKET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20354, 10 March 1928, Page 12

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIA v. AUCKLAND. VISITORS’ BIG SCORE. A CENTURY TO RICHARDSON. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 9. The Australian cricket, team commenced a three days’ match against the Auckland representatives at Eden Park to-div and. having first use of the wicket, compiled 418 for the loss of six wickets. A feature of the innings was tho prolific partnership between Richardson and Alexander, which added 201 runs for the fourth wicket. Both batsmen gave chances in the twenties, but after that settled down to some bright, free batting. Richardson eventually carried his score past the century mark, and Alexander was in the nineties before he was dismissed. Ponsford and Woodfu.l nave the side a good start by registering 86 before a separation was effected. Auckland lost the toss on a perfect wicket under ideal conditions, and it was expected the bowling would bo severely tried. Such proved the ease. Altogether nine truncilsrs had a turn at the crease, Bowley and G. L Weir each seeming two wickets. Player was unfortunate in that both Richardson and Alexander were missed off his bowling. About SQOO spectators watched tiie pay. Tho crowd included easily 2000 schoolboys, who were given the alternoon off. Richardson sent Woodfull and Ponsford in to open the innings. Player and Langridgo were the opening bowlers, a four to Woodful and two on drives to the boundary to Ponsford quickly sent 10 up. Ponsford survived an appeal for Ibw in Players second over, the ball keeping low. ih.; attack did not trouble the batsmen, and runs came freely. Ponsford, who was ondriving splendidly, was _ the first into the twenties, the total being 36 after -0 minutes’ play. Snodden then made ms first bowling change, Bowley taking over from Langridgo, Two overs later G. u Weir relieved Player. The change slackened the scoring rate for a short space, but 50 went up in 35 minutes Smart,y run singles interspersed with boundary shots off any short deliveries earned both bats men towards the forties. Sneddon was making frequent bowling changes in an endeavour to break the partnership. \\._ the total at 81 ire took up the attack hum self making the sixth bowler tried, hive runs later Ponsford failed to get P£°P el '> out to Anthony and drove him | midou, where Bowley took a bulliaat overhead catch.—s 6 I— -45. Jackson commenced freely, , thc appearing after 73 minutes pUj, and Woodfull reached 50 two P T“" tCS WootV Snedden then gave way tn U aJ ,. t full and Jackson were still the luncheon adjournment, the eco e bcm 110 (Woodfull 58, Jackson lb), the \ic torian captain had batted trecly, scoring well all round the wicket. Player and Anthony opened the howlih«t on resuming. Jackson snicked 1 lay ei twice in succession to the boundaiy, the first time rather luckily thro u rf|i t!he *ll In the next oyer the hist- bye were quickly added bcWoodfull had taken m minutes to comWeir, who had relieved ITayei. i»i mmmis tt iKb,. * tsftjrsi sis arss. 4 ssftsstfss the unfortunate ot • - tea’ batting, fifty «P after 187 minutes In spite of ‘T® ! Eardson registering runs came ft eely, ‘ j aTU j' placing more boundaries all voui“«• h!u{ been at 4isr!£ 55 KS?'*I « turn will. the M bltlron L. ln.O'M- the V»l coj- , aggressive, ana uc was Ymnctics while Alexander was irt; sevelues Then. Alexander was nearly run out in running a. dangeiou. simile The Australian captain reached his 8 ccnturv after batting for just over two hours.* Alexander’s total at this stag . was 83 A prolific partnership, which had added 201 runs in two hours 10 minutes wad broken when Richardson stepped out to Bowley and missed, and was easily stumped. 382--*s—-'lO7, 1 Alexander followed almost immediately being caught behind the wickets The retiring batsman was five short of his century, and had taken two hours and 11 minutes to make Ins runs. 882—0—90. Oldfield and Grimmett hoisted the fourth century after tour hours 43 minutes. The pair were still Uv etl ’«' at stumps, the score being 418 tor six wickets (Gnmmett 20, Oldfie.d 17). Scores;— AUgTRALIA . First Innings. W H. Ponsford, c Bow-ley, b Anthony 45 W M. Woodfull. b Player w A. Jackson, bG. L. Weir •••••••• 46 p Kippax, c Rowntree, b Bowley 11 V. Y. Richardson, st. Rowntree, b Bowley •• •• •; •• •• 407 W C. Alexander, c Rowntree, b G. h. yVeir W. A. Oldfield, not out 17 C. V. Grimmett, not out 20 Extras s Total for six wickets .. .. 418 Bowling Analysis.—Player, one for 89; Bowley, two for 07: G, L. Weir, two for 53; Anthony, one for 67.