THE TEST MATCH.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16674, 2 March 1925, Page 9

THE TEST MATCH.

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—-United Press Assn.), (Received March 2, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, March 2.

The weather is fine for the. cricket. The Herald, eommentng on the cricket, says : The wicket was perfect lor batting. A steady breeze blowing diagonal,v across the pitch offered the only, slight assistance the bowlers derived from, the conditions of piny. Due credit, in list he given to Oldfield for his neat, courageous batting in tlm whole test series. His efforts with the hat were market! by those two attributes, and his success was equally well marked. He shared several most valuable partnerships towards thei close of the innings. His own contribution thereto was very commendable.

The early dismissal of Hobbs broke a wonderful run of partnerships for the first, wicket made bv him and Sutcliffe.

Woolley played in his host style. Despite depressing conditions, lie batted with the utmost confidence, presenting thei full face of the bat to tlu* ball all I hot time. His sense of timing, was always beautifully exact. The power and crispness of his cutting ami driving wefe really tremendous. He makes offence his chief means of defence.

frrimmott’s performance, although he did not bowl against some of the lending batsmen, was one of rare merit. Grimrnett is very small im stature, of slight build, but- wiry and tremendously keen. 110 orignally hailed from Noav Zealand. He. has played in New -South Wales, Victoria. and South Australia, whore his success in first-grade matches was one of the features of the sottson. His run, action and delivery do not- give the appearance of 'hostility or guile, but they possess the most, hostile quality that guile can command, in looking so amiable, simple and commonplace. Grimmett turns the ball in a true bosie maun or. It was in. the concealment of his break that he deceived his opponents on this occasion, keeping excellent length, and altering the flight judiciously. He succeeded in enticing the batsmen forward, leading to ths dire mistake of trying to play him on spec, It was a. wrong one that the batsmen failed to detect in several instances, which provided Oldfield with an opportunity behind tho sticks, which he readily n.nd cleverly availed himself of.

-Gregory and Kelleway bowled really well. Gregory got two wickets. He. deserved more.

The result of the day’s play was a great triumph for Australia since it completely reversed thei position of disadvantage into one providing every prospect of ultimate success. Sutcliffe has scored 734 runs in tho present -series. This is thy greatest aggregate yet recorded in a series between England and Australia. His average is 91.75. A THUNDERBOLT. GRIMMETT’S GREAT DERUT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 2, 1 p.m.) LONDON, March 1. The news of the collapse of Gilligan’s side came: as a- thunderbolt-. England’s complacence of Friday became the dismay of Saturday. The story was best told to the crowd pouring into tho city in the early morning by street placards, the most- eloquent of which was one word “Hobbs” with a huge wrong-font letter “0” standing out boldly. Another read', “Kangar-O-0h !” Othei’s were. “O Hobbs” and “Noughty Hobbs.” When the crowds recovered from the shock they asked who is this Grimmett. There was a widespread impression that he was left handed. AngloAuslralians, remembering last season’s wet wick/et, and the possibility of a recurrence in 1926, wish he were.

Fender writes in tho -Sunday Express: “Surely Hobbs and Sutcliffo can be allowed one failure, but it is a pity that both failed together. It is strange how each and every one of the new men Australia introduces succeeds (he first time. Grimmett’s feat surely lops any previous debut.”

The Evening Standard states: “Grim melt's debut will be memorable.”

TO-DAY’S PLAY.

(Received March 2, <"5.30 p,m.) SYDNEY, March 2.

The weather is hot. and muggy for the continuation of the final test., and the wicket is good. Tin*, scores for I lie first innings were: Australia 295, England 167.

Australia in their second innings have lost. Iwo wickets for 77—Ryder 7, Gregory 22, Andrews (not out) 31.'