CRICKET

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 55

CRICKET

THE MATCH AGAINST OXFORD LONDON, May 24. The Australians, who had three wickets down lor 96 runs when play was resumed, carried the total to 321. Oxford in their second innings lost two wickets for 91. The weather was glorious and warm and the wicket soft but drying after the heavy thunderstorm of yesterday. The attendance was 8000. Taylor, in Greenstock’s second over, failed to get under the ball, and was easily taken at mid-on. Andrews played attractively and forcefully, and made some nice drives. Greenstock, a slow lefthand bowler, made full uce of the drying wicket, and puzzled the batsmen. Runs came freely, however, from the fast bowlers. When Ryder was 21 he gave a hot, difficult return, which Butterworth failed to hold. C. H. Taylor, a slow righthander, in his first over, enticed Andrews out to the ball. He had been at the crease for 96 minutes, and had hit one six and two fours. Gregory played with his customary brightness. He lifted the first ball from Stephenson out of the ground, then sent Butterworth to the leg boundary. His light-heartedness, clean drives, and excellent timing were a joy to watch. He was caught magnificently in the long field by Greenstock while running at top speed. He had hit one six and three fours Grimmett got going quickly. When 14 he jumped 'out to one from C. H. Taylor, and Abel badly missed stumping him. He batted soundly and brightly, and timed his strokes well, cutting Richardson three times to the boundary. His partnership with Ellis lasted one hour and produced 74 runs. Ellis contented himself mainly with singles. Both played t! e tired bowling with ease. Grimmett’s score included five fours. The fielding generally was slack, but the bowling was good, notably that of Butterworth, who w r as unlucky in not getting a wicket. ■ Oxford opened the second innings slowly Serrurier being purely on the defensive. Stuart-Brown was more enterprising, and sent both Richardson and Ryder to the boundary past cover. Brown had most of the bowling, but was unable to get the ball away till he opened his shoulders and knocked Mailey twice to the boundary and sent Richardson to leg for three. When 29 he gave a difficult chance to Mailey—a high return. Grimmett p<roved expensive when facing 'Brown, but ultimately the batsman overreached in attempting a drive, and was stumped. He had occupied the crease for 75 minutes, and had hit five fours. Holmes and Taylor carried on brightly till stumps were drawn, the latter getting two boundaries and a two off Grimmett in one over. May 25. Oxford in their second innings made 177, the Australians winning by an innings and 13 runs. Scores : AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Bardsley, b M.‘Caulis 30 Woodfull, c Abel, b Serrurier 21 Taylor, c M‘Caulis, b Greenstock ... 31 Ponsford, b Holmes 4 Andrews, c Serrurier, b C. H. Taylor 50 Ryder, lbw, b Stephenson 24 Gregory, c C. H. Taylor, b Greenstock 42 Richardson, b M‘Caulis 17 Ellis, st Abel, b Serrurier 29 Grimmett, b Greenstock 41 Mailey, not out 5 Extras 27 Total 321 Bowling Analysis:—Butterworth, none for 42; M‘Caulis, two for 45 ; Greenstock, three for 6L; Serrurier, two for 38; J. V. Richardson, none for 31; Holmes, one for 23 j C. H. Taylor, one for 25; Stephenson, one for 29. . OXFORD. First innings 131 Second Innings. Serrurier, c Gregory, b Mailey 9 Stuart-Brown, st Ellis, b Grimmett ... 38 Holmes, b Gregory 20 G. H. Taylor, b Richardson 59 Legge, b Gregory 3 Stephenson, c Woodfull, b Grimmett 23 J. V. Richardson, c Andrews, b Richardson 6 Butterworth, b Richardson 0 Abell, c Ellis, b Richardson 8 Greenstock, b Richardson 2 M'Canlis, not out 4 Extras 5 Total 177 Bowling Analysis:—Ryder, none for 22; Richardson, five for 36; Mailey, one for 57; Grimmett two for 30; Gregory, two for-27.

SOUTH OF ENGLAND MATCH.

LONDON, May 26. The weather was sultry, but overcast for the game against the South of England which is being played at Bristol. The wicket was good. Bardsley, Ellis, Grimmett, Everett, and Hendry .were omitted from the Australian team. The home team batted first, and scored 211. Australia had lost one wicket for 35 when stumps were drawn. The attendance was 10,000. Gregory pu-t more pace into his bowling than he has done hitherto. Stevens was uneasy. but Duleepsinhji got quickly off the mark. He played confidently, and scored freely off Gregory and Macartney. He followed tho ball closely, and every stroke was true. Hendren was slow U start, then he drove a couple of boundaries. The batsmen were comfortable facing Mailey. Duleepsinhji playing back obtained powerful straight drives, and displayed excellent wrist work. In endeavouring to tap a big leg break past

slip he was splendidly caught by Gregory at his second attempt. Gregory maintained his pace. He was bumping dangerously, and Jardine was always unhappy at the crease. Hendren, by stepping out to Mailey, obtained a number of singles. With the appearance of Chapman the batting became slow for a time. Neither he nor Hendren was timing well. Chapman was the more vigorous bringing off a number of wristy cuts. Richardson gave many runs away, being slow in picking up, and the fielding generally was unusually slack, Collins being the outstanding exception. Ponsford and Taylor, on the boundary, were good, and were frequently applauded for their accurate throwing-in. Richardson bowled a good length, and forced Hendren to play well back.

Chapman continued crisply, and the 100 appeared after 140 minutes’ play. Chapman roused the crowd by driving Richardson to the boundary, following up with a hit to leg off the same bowler. In the next over a four and a six were scored quickly off Ryder. Mailey soon took over the bowling. Chapman hit as he liked, and sent Mailey for four, one six, and four, in one over. His driving was characterised by great power, but in attempting to reach his century he became reckless, and twice hit out at Richardson. He missed the first, and Gregory took the second splendidly at fine slip. Chapman occupied the crease for 105 minutes, and hit two sixes and 11 fours. His partnership with Hendren yielded 127. Gregory was keeping a consistent length and soon had Fender in difficulties. In his second over, after tea, he beat Hendren, who had batted soundly for 195 minutes. His score included four fours. In the next over Fender fell a leg-before-victim to Macartney, who also secured Gibson’s wicket.

In the next over Meyer was taken by Collins at short leg, low down off Gregory. A couple of singles and a leg bye ended the innings which had lasted 145 minutes.

The last five wickets fell in 25 minutes. Gregory, after tea, took two wickets for four runs. The bowling required watching. ' Collins and Woodfull opened the Australians’ innings, the latter making a four and a three through the slips off Meyer. Collins hit a boundary from a long hop from Gibson.

In the closing stages the sky was overcast. Collins apparently lost sight of the bah with which he was bowled, and an appeal against the light followed immediately and was upheld. Rain commenced as stumps were drawn. May 27. The weather was threatening when play was resumed in the mateft between Australia and the South of England, and the wicket was soft as the result of overnight rain. The attendance was large. Parker proved expensive in his opening over; then he kept Macartney on the defensive, finally beating him in his third over, when attempting a swing to leg. Taylor soon attacked Parker’s bowling, sending him to leg for four and two in the first over. Woodfull, on the contrary, was unable to do anything with this bowler. He survived an appeal for leg before off him when 31. Parker provided plenty of pitfalls, varying his break and gaining pace from the pitch with every ball.

Gibson kept a good length, but was not difficult. Meyer, who replaced Gibson, proved expensive, both Woodfull and Ponsford gathering a number of singles off him. One hundred runs appeared for 105 minutes’ batting. Fender then replaced Parker, and the batting became freer. They hit the bowling around strongly, Fender especially suffering. The batsmen gained many quick -uns between the wickets. The last ball before lunch Ponsford tried to glance to leg, and Strudwick snapped it up. The board then showed 131 for four wickets. Gibson took up the attack on the resumption of play* and Woodfull, reaching forward, dragged his foot over the crease, and was smartly stumped. He gave a chanceless innnings during his 125 minutes at the wickets, in which he showed powerful driving and leg strokes. He hit five fours. The total at this time was unaltered from the lunch figures. Gregory did not stay long. In the first over he placed Gibson to leg for four, straight drove him twice to the boundary, and at the third attempt was superbly taken by Sandham, who, running at top speed, had to jump to make the catch. The score then was 151 for six wickets. Meyer’s bowling improved, but he had little luck. Ryder started with three off Meyer, and proceeded to hit out freely, giving Sandham (in the long field) plenty of work. The latter’s fielding was a feature, and he saved many runs. Stevens was played very easily, his bowling having no length. Four overs yielded 23 runs, largely to the credit of Ryder, who continued strongly on the leg side. Andrews was more careful than his colleague. He timed his shots well on the leg side, and drove strongly to mid-off. Ryder, when 41, gave a diffcult chance high to Stevens, at short leg, off Gibson. The batsmen celebrated his reprieve by driving the next ball out of the ground. Ryder, who was in a scoring mood, hit out at everything, but was badly beaten twice by Gibson. Then he nearly cleared the ring. He also hit three fours off Fender. When 53 Andrews hit a ball hard into Stevens’s hands, at short leg, but it was dropped. As he approached the century Ryder became quieter, and played more soundly. He made a couple of lucky snicke in the early nineties, mistiming drives off Fender. He reached the 100 through an overthrow after being at the crease for 115 minutes. Andrews, when 73, had a lucky escape, Strudwick badly missing a eaten and a chance to stump him off Parker. Rain at the tsa adjournment delayed the resumption of pin**, and then after

two overs further rain compelled an abandonment of play for the 'day. When stumps were drawn Australia had lost six wickets for 328. Scores : SOUTH OF ENGLAND. First Innings. Sandham, b Gregory 8 Stevens, c Oldfield, b Macartney ... 5 Duleepsinhji, c Gregory, b Mailey ... 28 Hendren, b Gregory 62 Jardine, st Oldfield, b Mailey 7 Chapman, c Gregory, b Richardson ... 89 Fender, lbw, b Macartney 6 Meyer, c Collins, b Gregory 0 Gibson, b Macartney 0 Parker, not out 1 Strudwick, lbw, b Macartney 1 Extras ... 4 Total 211 Bowling Analysis:—Gregory, three for 40; Macartney, four for 41; Richardson, one for 33; Mailey, two for 61; Rvder, none for 24; Collins none for 8. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, b Fender ' 9 Woodfull, st Strudwick, b Gibson ... 69 Macartney, b Parker 7 Taylor, c Meyer, b Parker 16 Ponsford, c Strudwick, b Meyer ... 23 Andrews, not out 74 Gregory, c Sandham, b Gibson 13 Ryder, not out 108 Extras 9 Total for six wickets 328 THE RYDER-ANDREWS PARTNERSHIP. LONDON. May 28. With six batsmen out for 151 the Australians appeared to have lost their grip on the game, but Ryder and Andrews, each playing a fine innings, regained the position. The Englishmen were sorely puzzled during the great partnership. Ryder abandoned his previous pottering tactics and using his feet hit hard. He made many fine drives. Andrews gave his best display of the tour. Their cricket v/as a treat. Woodfull was also in good form. Runs were added at the rate of 100 an hour, and this came as a shock to the critics who had condemned the visitors’ slow play.

CRITICISM BY EXPERTS. LONDON, May 26.

The Australians are pleased with having dismised a strong side at Bristol for such a score. Only once were the bowlers mastered when Chapman and Hendren were associated. The Australians’ success is likely to cause the English selectors anxiety. Chapman’s innings was delightful. his cutting and driving being excellent. He seems certain of a place in the Test team. Hendren was painfully slow, if all the batsmen were like him it would mean that the Tests would never finish. The tail-enders failed, five wickets falling after tea for 11 runs. Macartney was the mainstay of the bowling and was always troublesome. The. Englishmen lost many runs owing to bad running. Collins was unlucky to be dismissed in the last over. He appealed agains* the light, but the umpire said, “One more over.” Everett's indication seems to indicate that the Australians will not have two fast bowlers in the Test team. Colonel Philip Trevor in the Daily Telegraph says: “Chapman’s innings was the best thus far played against the Australians. The quality of the Australian bowling depends entirely on one’s viewpoint. Duleepsinhji met it carefully and Chapman made it appear desperately easy but the others who stayed sufficiently long to give any impression made it appear difficult.” The Daily Mail’s cricket critic says: “The wicket was easy, yet for nearly three hours the Englishmen lingered at the crease with an air of apprehension painful to witness. Apparently like the batsmen of 1921 they saw ‘danger’ written behind every Australian bowler in letters of fire. Yet when Chapman found the field placed to block his offside shot 9 he pulled and hooked. He saw no red light behind the Australians’ arm.” Mr G. L. Jessop says: “Chapman completely collared the bowling, showing the weakness of which the Australian critics forewarned us at the time of the selection.”

MATCH AGAINST MIDDLESEX. LONDON, May 29. At cricket the Australians are playing Middlesex at Lords. The weather was tine, 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 Durston 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. Bard&ley 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 madq 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 scorr mounted rapidly. The fielding was poor. Macartney was brilliantly held low at third slip by Tanner. He hit six fours. His innings was characterised by good scoring shots all round the wicket. Witn the association of the captain and vice-captain, scoring was slowed down considerably. When his score was eight, Collins gave a difficult chance to Tanner high from 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 Heame 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 ob- t vious break action, presented no difficulties. The bowling was changed fre- y quently. Durston kept a good pace, bub his length was short, and Collins declined 1 ball after ball. Andrews, when 61, had an uncomfortable over from Haig, and > survived appeals for leg 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, and a four in one When 86 he vva6 clean bowled by a no» ball from Allen. Later he stepped out to a no ball from the same bowler, and waa bowled. Both batsmen began to hit more freeiy, and were pulling Tanner spectacularly to the boundary. Andrews reached his century in 125 minutes. Collins when approaching his 100 was patient, and re- ' fused to take opportunities. Then an * excellent cut from Haig was magnificently; held by Tanner low down. He batted 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. r Scores:— \ AUSTRALIA. » Bardsley, b Herne 79’ Woodfull, c Hendren, b Dhrston ... 3. Macartney, c Tanner, b Haig 44 Collins, c Tanner, b Haig 99 I Andrews, not out 129 ! Taylor, not out 29 1 Extras 29 j Total for four wickets 357 i SOUTH OF ENGLAND MATCH. LONDON. May 28. Owing to rain overnight the wicket was unfit for play, and the match against South of England had to be abandoned. Bowling Analysis:—Australian innings: Meyer, one wicket foi 63 runs; Gibson, two for 88; Parker, two for 58; Fender, * one for 58 ; Stevens, none foT 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.

RESULTS TO DATE. The following are the results of the » matches played by the Australians to date : Minor Counties, drawn.—Australia 179, ; Minor Counties 115 for four wickets. Leicestershire, drawn.—Australia 336, Leicestershire 96 and 15 for one wicket. , Essex, abandoned owing to rain.—Australia 538 for nine wickets (declared), Essex five for two wickets. Surrey, drawn.—Australia 395 for nine wickets (declared) and 74 for two wickets. > Surrey 265. Hampshire, won bv 10 wickets.—Aus- j tralia 371 and none for 33. Hampshire ! and 248. Maryiebone, drawn. —Australia 383* Marylebone 199 and 5 for 83. Cambridge, drawn.—Australia 235 and two for 17. Cambridge 212 and 81. Oxford won by an innings and 13 runs* v Australia 321. Oxford 131 and 177. South of England, drawn.—South of England 211. Australia six wickets for 328.

REMAINING MATCHES. June 2 North of England Birmingham June 5 Yorkshire Bradford June 9 Durham Sunderland June 12 First Test Nottingham June 16 Yorkshire Sheffield June 19 Lancashire Manchester June 23 Derby Derby June 26 Second Test Lord’s June 30 Northampton Northampton July 3 Nottingham Nottingham July 7 Worcester Worcester July 10 Third Test Leeds July 14 Lancashire Liverpool July 17 West of Scotland Glasgow July 21 Scotland Edinburgh July 24 Fourth Test Manchester July 28 Surrey The Oval July 31 Glamorgan Cardiff Aug 4 Warwickshire Birmingham Aug. 7 Gloucester Cheltenham Aug. 11 G. P. Schools Lord’s Aug. 14 Fifth Test The Oval Aug. 21 Somerset. Taunton Aug. 25 Kent Canterbury Aug 28 Sussex Brighton Sept 1 English XT. Folkestone Sept. 4 Civil Service Chiswick Sept 8 Thornton’s XL Peal borough Sept. 11 English XI. Blackpool Sept 1C Palmer’s XI. Whitehaven AUSTRALIAN ELEVENS. As the tour of the Australian Eleven progresses its results will naturally be compared with those of former teams. According to the Sydney Sun, their records were as follows :

Year. Won. Lost. Drawn. n. 1878 ... 18 7 12 37 1880 ... 21 4 12 37 1882 ... 23 4 11 36 1884 ... 18 7 7 32 1886 ... M1 9 8 22 39 1888 ... 19 14 7 40 1890 M 13 16 9 38 1893 ** 18 10 8 36 1896 ... 19 6 9 34 1809 ... 16 3 16 35 1902 ... iW 23 2 14 39 1906 ... 16 3 19 38 1909 ... 13 4 22 39 1912a ... 9 8 20 37 1919b ... 13 4 15 32 1921 ... 22 2 14 38 Totals 270 102 217 "T — 586