FIFTH TEST MATCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 38

FIFTH TEST MATCH

AUSTRALIA IN WINNING POSITION. SYDNEY, February 25. The fifth test match was commenced in ideal weather and on an excellent wicket. Douglas won the toss, and opened with Hobbs and Rhodes. The former was limping considerably as a result of his recent injury. Both men batted with extreme caution, 45 runs appearing as the result of an hour’s play. Gregory and McDonald gave way to Mailey and Kelleway. Rhodes, when he had made 26, touched a fast ball from Kelleway, which Carter brilliantly accepted. Hobbs deflected Gregory dangerously close to Mailey at second slip when he was 35, and in the last over prior to luncheon he stepped in front of the wicket to Gregory and was given out leg before. On resuming Makepeace spooned Mailey to first slip when he had made 3, Gregory falling forward and taking a smart catch low down. In the following over Hendren

gave Ryder an opportunity at second slip off Gregory, which was declined, but in the same over he touched a fast one and was smartly taken by Carter behind the wickets. 4—5—76. This changed the complexion of the game and conjured up visions of a debacle. Gregory, who was with exceptional speed, was main taining an excellent length, and, supported by a brilliant slip field, he threatened to go through the side. Mailey, at the other end, was delivering a minimum of loose ones, and he demanded the closest watching. Woolley and Russell now became associated in a useful partnership, the former, in particular, displaying commendable enterprise and confidence at a critical juncture. He coolly drove Gregory with straight hits and also executed fine drives to the off boundary from Mailey. He rapidly reached the 30’s before losing his partner, who placed Mailey into Gregory’s hands at first slip. The partnership added 49, whereas the previous four wickets had added only 22. Douglas joined Woolley, Gregory meanwhile giving way to M’Donald. Woolley proceeded merrily, reaching his half-cen-tury in masterly fashion in 54 minutes. He seemed well set for a big score, when, in the next over, he flayed back to M’Donald, hitting his wicket. Douglas and Fender faced Kelleway and M Donald, the first-named being dropped at first slio by Gregory when he had made 11, the ball flying at an awkward angle, knee high. In the succeeding over Gregory made amends by effecting one of the finest catches ever witnessed. Fender touched a fast one from Kelleway, and Gregory, who was in the same position, intercepted the ball, which was travelling like a cannon-shot, with his left hand whilst the crowd was looking to see it speeding to the boundary. 7—2—164. Wilson notched five before tipping Kelleway to Carter, who made no mistake. After tea Parkin cut Kelleway outside deep point, Taylor brilliantly catching him low down. Strudwick skied Gregory to mid-on, where Macartney waited underneath the ball. The team began to file off the field, but to the surprise of everybody, Macartney dropped the easiest of catches. Gregory in the next over shattered Strudwick’s sticks, and the innings closed for 204. Kelleway excelled himself with the ball, maintaining a perfect length throughout. Armstrong handled the attack to a nicety, displaying a keen judgment in using and nursing the respective bowlers. The fielding, with the exception of a couple of blemishes, was brilliant and considerably enhanced the bowlers’ efforts. Carter’s exhibition behind the wickets, which included three catches, was the work of a true artist, and he is still the foremost keeper in Australia. Australia’s innings opened in dramatic fashion, Collins and Bardsley both falling early to fine catches at second slip by Fender off Parken and Douglas. Macartney and Taylor played out time by steady batting, interspersed with crisp strokes. Taylor was dropped by Parkin off Woolley at silly mid-on, when he was 22. The attendance was 17,000. February 26. Tho second day’s play in the test match was commenced in intensely hot weather and on an excellent wicket. The stands were quickly occupied by shade-seekers, and the bulk of the male spectatoi’3 discarded their coats and collars and sought solace in handkerchief folds, the arena presenting a magpie spectacle. The Englishmen were obviously affected by the heat, and a majority were wearing sombreros and required occasional regaling with liquid refreshment. Macartney and Taylor settled down to careful play, but the latter had added cnly 10 when Hendren caught him at third man off Douglas. 3—32—89. Macartney and Gregory played steadily, Gregory m particular watching the ball closely, but relentlessly punishing loose deliveries. The batsmen gradually collared the bowl ing and laid the foundation of a partnership which added two short of a double century to the score. Macartney by perfect timing and crisp all round-the wicket strokes further confirmed the reputation that he is in the first flight of the world’s batsmen When he was 62 Macartney attempted to drive a no-ball from Fender but missed and the ball hit the wicket. Gregory then threatened to overtake Macartney, but the latter drew away when approaching the century and established a lead of 30 runs with Gregory entering She nineties, compiled by vigorous and forceful batting chiefly in front of the wicket. At 93 Gregory touched a fast ball from Fender, Strudwick smartly accepting the catch. Armstrong followed, but was brilliantly taken one hand at first slip by Woolley in the same over. Ryder, who was set the task of retrieving Victoria s reputation, exposed his wicket and Fender promptly ex-pressed his appreciation by hitting his middle peg. Macartney opened out in artistic fashion, reaching 157 runs by a faultless display. By the tea adjournment Douglas had tried six bowlers before meeting with success. Fender earlier in the day had 33 runs registered against him for no wickets, but on his second visit to the crease he found his length immediately. After tea Macartney abandoned caution and indulged in boundary shots on the -slightest provocation, equalling Collins's 162, which was the previous best score in test matches this season, after four hours’ play. A few runs later he lifted Fender to outside mid-on. where Hobbs took an easy catch. (Macartney’s effort was a chanceless and brilliant display. 7—170 —356. Kelleway and Carter found the fence on several occasions before returning to the pavilion. Mailey, running down the pitch, missed Wilson, and was clean-bowled. The innings terminated for 392 runs. Fender - , who was bowling well and pitching in leg breaks, carried off the bowling honours with five for 90. Tho fielding, though greatly handicapped by the terrific heat, was excellent, Hendren as usual repeatedly eliciting applause for splendid work on the boundary.

England opened the second innings with Rhodes and Woolley to the bowling of M’Donald and Kelleway. With 1 opposite his name 'Woolley played a straight bat to a good length ball from Kellewav, who, following up, effected a smart catch. Makepeace fared little better. He tapped one from M’Donald dangerously close to Armstrong’s left hand at second slip. In the succeeding over he tempted Gregory at first slip off Kelleway and the fieldsman accepted. 2—7—14. Wilson and Rhodes played out time. The attendance was 33.000, and the takings were £3OOO. The following are the scores: ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, Ibw, b Gregory 40 Rhodes, c Carter, b Kelleway 26 Makepeace, c Gregory, b (Mailey ... 3 Hendren, c Carter, b Gregory 5 Woolley, b M’Donald 53 Russell, c Gregory, b Mailey 19 Douglas, not out 32 Fender, c Gregory, b Kelleway ... 2 Wilson, c Carter, b Kelleway 5 Parkin, c Taylor, b Kelleway 9 Strudwick, b Gregory ... 2 Sundries 8 Total 204 The wickets fell as follows:-—1 for 45, 2 for 70, 3 for 74. 4 for 76, 5 for 125, b for 160. 7 for 165, 8 for 172, 9 for 187, 10 for 204. The bowling averages were : Kelleway, 4 for 27 (one no-ball) ; Gregory, 3 for 42; M’Donald, 1 for 38 (one wide and one noball) ; Mailey, 2 for 89. Second Innings. Woolley, c and b Kelleway 1 Rhodes, not out 10 Makepeace, c Gregory, b Kelleway... 7 Wilson, not out "... 4 Extras 2 Total for two wickets 24 AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Fender, b Parkin 5 Bardsley, c Fender, b Douglas 7 Macartney, c ITobbs. b Fender ... 170 Taylor, c Hendren, b Douglas 32 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Fender ... 93 Armstrong, c Woolley, b Fender ... (Ryder, b Fender 2 Kelleway, c Strudwick, b Wilson ... 32 Carter, c Woolley, b Fender 17 Mailey, b Wilson 5 M’Donald, n«jt out 3 Extras 25 Totdt 392 The wickets fell as follow:—One for 10, two for 24, three for 89, four for 287, five for 287, six for 313, seven for 356, eight for 374, nine for 083, 10 for 392. The bowling averages were as follow : —- Rhodes, none for 23; Fender, five for 90 (one no-ball); Wilson, two for 28; Woolley, none for 58 (one no-ball) ; Parkin, one for 83 : Douglas, two for 84. ENGLISH TEAM’S FAILURE. LONDON, February 25. The Guardian, discussing the failure of the English eleven, says it ; s a common topic that the team has not been a happy family. If there is no foundation for the rumour, it should be scotched; if true, it should l e ventilated in justice to several great cricketers whose reputation has not been Improved as a result of the tour. ALLEGED JEERING OF HOBBS. SYDNEY, February 26. The Fender and Wilson cablegrams re- ! garding the alleged jeering of Hobbs were | circulated on the cricket ground on SaturI day evening and caused much indignant j protest. Fender and Wilson admitted the j correctness of the cables. Fender added : | “ You can hear more in the middle of the ground than in the press stand.” Wilson j maintained that a section of the crowd j was hostile to Hobbs. He now said it was ! a disgrace, and that he meant every word | he had cabled. j The secretary of the Board of Control and other leading cricketers present variously stigmatised the cablegrams as absolutely wrong,” “ridiculous,” “unjustified,” and “ foolish.” They unanimously hold that Hobbs was given sympathetic encouragement, and in proof of this they quote the fact that quite a crowd gathered early in the forenoon to watch Hobbs try himself out, and general satis- ! faction was expressed when it was announced that he bad come to the plucky determination to play despite his injury. His appearance on the field at the opening of the innings, throughout the play, and when he was dismissed were all greeted with appreciative applause and sympathetic comment. Another noticeable feature was that whenever Hobbs was making a run no Australasian threw the hall at the wicket to which he was limping. It is ascertained that Hobbs himself made no complaint regarding his treatment. AUSTRALIAN TEAM FOB, ENGLAND. SYDNEY, February 26. The Board of Control has appointed Armstrong (Victoria) captain and Collins (New South Wales) vice-captain for the English tour. Both, with Pellew (South Australia) will be selectors. Hendry has been selected as fifteenth man in place of Kelleway. HEARNE’S TLLNESS SERIOUS. SYDNEY, February 25. The Sun says that Hearne’s temporary indisposition has developed into a more serious illness. The medical men fear that ho has become a victim to lung troubles, and may not take the field again. The newspaper suggests that instead of making an appeal for the Armstrong Presentation Fund during the fifth test match, it be made on behalf of Hearn a.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. The monthly meeting of the TJ.J C Comrovtae was held on the 24th ult.; present —Messrs A. C. Hanlon (in the chair), L C Hazleti, J. (tow, Hr Hall T Elliott T Smith W. J. Goughian, and E. IT. LmiM, A letter was received from the Genera] Manager of Railways regretting that he could not hold out any hope of pre-war concession' hcmg granted for horses returning from race meetings. An application was received for a watei service to the magazine keeper’s cottage at Wingatui.—A reply to be forwarded regretting that the circumstance of a small lead of water and increasing demands upon the supply compel the club to adhere to its previous refusal. It was decided to hold a race ball on on? night of the winter meeting in June. Strong comment was made on the unsatisfactory train service to the course at iasl meeting, and a deputation was appointed tc wait on the District Traffic Manager in connection -with the matter. Twelve new members were elected. RACING STUD SOLD. MELBOURNE. February 25. Mr L. Mackinnon’s stud was put up t< auction. The general average of prices was fair. A number of lots failed to reach th< preserve. The top figures were:—The marc Quint anona 525gns, and Radesiu (with Woo Irak foal) £2300. The stallion Woorak was passed in at £2200.