CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23109, 8 February 1937, Page 9

CRICKET IN AUSTRALIA

COMMENTS ON FOURTH TEST

TRIUMPH FOR SPIN BOWLING (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 5. Commenting on Australia’s win in the fourth test, The Times cricket writer says: “ It was a triumph for spin bowling, which nowadays is all too rare But I still have faith in Allen’s men for the fifth test.” The writer in the Daily Mail points out that Bradman in the four tests lias scored 644 runs and the remainder of the team 1468 He adds: “ So to the bowler sending Bradman to the pavilion in Melbourne most rapidly we give our most grateful thanks in advance. England’s team is better balanced and with even luck should win the fifth test.” The Morning Post expresses the opinion that Australia’s superiority has been clearly defined. The Daily Telegraph says: “The chances favour Australia in the final test.”

The Guardian says; “ Once again Bradman beat England.”

J. B. HOBBS’S COMMENTS

ADELAIDE, Feb. 6.

J. B. Hobbs, commenting on the test position, says “There is no earthly reason why England should not win the ashes After all, the Australians still do not strike me as a great side, for they, like England, have to rely on two or three men as a team. I think England is the better side, rut it will be no disgrace to lose when the other team has a wonderful batsman like Bradman. He is worth two or three men.

“ The reason England lost the fourth test was its batting. The batsmen slipped back towards that period early in the tour when they were struggling with leg-break bowling. More enterprise is needed; they must attack O’Reilly.” „

M.C.C. TEAM AT GEELONG GOOD INNINGS BY HARDSTAFF GEELONG, Feb. 7. (Received Feb. 7, at 9 p.m.) A wicket of varying pace and the general picnic atmosphere surrounding the match made England’s first innings against Geelong very interesting. After winning the toss the Englishmen lost Worthington at 14. Hardstaff and Verity settled down to sedate cricket, but when the former sighted the ball he batted stylishly, with the result that the second wicket partnership produced 97 runs.

Leyland hit at everything. He and Wyatt were soon out, the latter failing to score, being caught low in the slips.

Hardstaff was joined by Ames with the score at four for 140, and the pair played care-free cricket, which at one stage produced_ 50 in 25 minutes. When nearing his century, however. Har 1 staff was painfully slow and was eventually trapped leg-before while attempting a defensive forward stroke when he was 94. Ames threw his wicket away.

Mr Howard, the manager, played for England, making several good off strokes before being stumped, England’s innings realised 282 in 244 minutes, the bowling honours going to the fast medium bowler Collins, who obtained assistance from the \yicket. After the oitch was rolled it was easier and Fames made no impression on the ooening batsmen, except Anderson, who, at seven, played on Fames, but the bails were not dislodged.

Following are the scores:— ENGLAND First Innings Worthington, b Collins ...... 3 Verity, Ibw, b Schofield 47 Hardstaff. Ibw, by Doyle 94

Wyatt, c Metherell. b Doyle .. 0 Leyland. Ibw, b Collins 16 Howard, st Hurley, b Schofield 6 Ames, run out 51 Robins, b Collins .s 14 Sims, c Hassett, b Collins .... 31 Duckworth, not out 3 Fames, b Collins 5 Extras 7 Total 282 Bowling Analysis.—Collins, five for 48; Mair, none for 49; Doyle, two for 70; Schofield, two for 99; Weddell, none for nine GEELONG First Innings Brown, st Duckworth, b Sims .. 13 Anderson, not out 22 Hassett, not out 14 Extras 1 Total for one wicket ~ 50 Bowling Analysis.—Fames, none for 10; Wyatt, none for nine; Sims, noe for 11; Leyland, none for eight; Robins, none for six: Ames, none for five.