GREGORY’S DAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15542, 10 June 1921, Page 8

GREGORY’S DAY.

IN A TEST MATCH

SYDNEY', June I.—BY J. Long, wicketkeeper with the A.I.F, team, writing during the match at Nottingham, states:— v

Jack Gregory, m a mutch that doesn't matter, such us some of the . county, mutches,' and the weaker inter-State fixtures here, is a .mighty different tjowler to the Jack Gregory in a test .match. Where his extra devil and ability come from in these fixtures only •ho himself could say, but there is no doubt whatever that- lie bowls like one inspired when, the occasion demands. The abnormal height- from which lie delivers the ball makes his best length ball rise very sharply off the pitch. This is particularly disconcerting to batsmen, .who are apprehensive of their own bodies, while, at the same time they are endeavoring to keep the elusive-ball from their wicket. , If v'vc succeed in winning the present match we can thank Gregory for first and foremost placing us in a winning position.

Next, in mv mind gs an outstanding performance, iri the dismissal of our opr pounds, was, perhaps, the catch made by Hendry in the slips,, where he got Fj ill. Woolley. This player's luck was not the best in Australia, but there is jk> doubt .that be is tjle- finest all-round cricketer on the English side. He bits the ball so bard and lias such a variety of /strokes that lie is likely to turn a ,ref verse into, victory, against the best bowlf ing in the The position of the game never affects this fine cricketer'! play, as his game .never alters, and he punishes any bowling thjit deserves bet ing hit. It would bo hard to gauge the service Hendry rendered to his side whop lie dismissed this batsman by apparently a very fine catch, after Woolley had got well into his stride. , i j

Armstrong, manoeuvred Douglas back to the pavilion. The new men. on the English side, with the exception of Holmes, found both the occasion and the attack beyond them, and Hendren has once more shown that it is nqt successful to alter one’s stylo of batting on. big occasions. In Australia, lie displayed this weakness more than once, and it would be a good tiling if bis captain advised liim to go at the bowling oil, all occasions, as it is liis only’ wgy to sue-; cess. . '■ • i

Our own batting lias been wonderfully consistent, if not particularly, brilliant, Bardsley alone standing out from bis comrades wjth a characteristic innings of merit.’ and solidity. He is certainly the man for such an occasion, as that demanded of him, when a number of his comrades were not performing as well as might bo expected.