FIGHTING BACK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19240, 4 February 1937, Page 5

FIGHTING BACK

M.C.C.’S BIG TASK AUSTRALIA REACH 433 BEADMAN MAKES 212 HAMMOND FIVE FOR 57 ENGLAND 148 FOR- THREF. (Elec. Tel. Copyright —United Press Assn.) ADELAIDE, Feb. 3. The weather is humid and there is a possibility of rain to-night or to-morrow, when the result, of the fourth test is expected to he decided. England is in a desperate position, as Australia piled up runs with monotonous regularity in the morning session,rand finished the second innings with’ a score of 433.

. It/seemed' early I hilt the wicket w.ds going-to play- tricks, but except, for a shooter from Fames the wicket was perfect.

All eyes were on Bradman, who was within reach of his double century. The English attack was collared at 'the outset, hut the batsmen took no risks.

Bradman and Gregory seemed set for a long partnership, when a call that canle from Gregory for a third run brought the end. Barnett raced from long-on and with a 30yds. shot broke the wicket with Gregory a yard out.

The fifth wicket put on 135 runs in 175 minutes.

Gregory reached the half-century in that time. lie hit one four. It was •i great knock, and he established himself in the Australian team for the fifth test, and also for the 1938 tour of England. BRADMAN’S GREAT FEAT

The crowd .cheered every stroke as Bradman neared the double century. From 199 he jumped to 202. He was opening out to score briskly when he was caught and bowled by Hammond at 212. Just previously he had hi Hammond for successive fours. Bradman batted for 437 minutes and hit 12 fours. He established another record for the highest score on Adelaide Oval in tests against England, the previous best being Ryder’s 201 in 1925.

This was Bradman’s seventh double century in tests against England, and his twenty-seventh in first-class cricket, and the third occasion he has scored a double century in successive tests. He did so in the last two lours of England.

The crowd went frantic with excitement when Bradman reached the double century. They clapped and cheered, and play was held up for a couple of minutes.

Chipperfield batted brilliantly, again going for the pace howlers with determination. He outseored Bradman in putting on a 50 partnership in 45 minutes.

Australia was in a strong position at lunch and holding a lead of 384 with four wickets in hand. FOUR WI.OKETS FOR 11 RUNS • Tt, now seemed certain' that, unless a miracle happened, the fifth test at Melbourne would decide the holders of the Ashes.

After lunch, however, the four wickets fell for 11 runs, Hammond being the star bowler and taking five for 57, including three of the last four wickets.

England was set with 392 to score in its fourth innings to win. The ‘ask is difficult and the position was not improved when Fleetwood-Smith and O’Reilly, helped by the wicket, had all the batsmen in trouble.

Barnett was dropped early by Fingleton off McCormick. Many balls were played with the edge of the bat.

In the first hour, Fleetwood-Smith bowled like a demon and took tw > wickets for 13 runs.

Ilnrdstaff was dropped by McCormick off O’Reilly. Allen sent Hardstaff in first, wicket down in place of Hammond. Hardstaflf was dropped again at 2G. Brilliant footwork enabled Hammond and Tlardstaff to handle the spin bowlers confidently.

The attendance was 23,500, and the takings £1957, whilst the -aggregate takings for the first five days were £16,764 —a record for the ground. Scores were:— AUSTRALIA First Innings .. .. - • 288 Second Innings. ,T. IT. Fingleton, lbw., b Hammond 12 W. A. Brow-n, c Aines, b Voce .. 32 D. G.,Bradman, c and b Hammond 212 S. J.-McCabe, c Wyatt, b Robins 55 K. F. Rigg, e Hammond, 1> Fames 7 R. S. Gregory, run out .. . . 50 A. G. Chipperfield, c and b Ham-

mond .. .. .. 31 A; G. Oldfield, e and 1) Hammond 1 W. J. O’Reilly, e ITammond, b Fames .. .. . • • • 1 E. L. McCormick, b Hammond .. 1 L. Fleetwood-Smith, not out . . 4 Byes 10, l.b. 15, wide 1, mb. 1 27 Total 43 Fall of wickets: Five for 327, six for 422, seven for 426, eight for 427, nine for 429. —Bowling.—

ENGLAND First Innings . . . . . . 330 Second Innings. 11. Verity, b Fleetwood-Smith .. 17 C. J. Barnett, e Chipperfield, 1) Fleetwood-Smith .. .. 21 J. Hardstaff, b O’Reilly . . .. 43 W. R. Hammond, not out . . . . 39 M. Loyland, not, out .. 17 Extras .. .. .. ..11 Total for three wickets . . 14,S Fall of wickets: One for 45; two for 50; three for 120. —Bowling.—

K. Fames 0. 24 M. O R, SO W W. R. Hammond .. 1;1.2 1 r>7 .1 0. 0. Allen 14 1 16 0 W. Voce 20 0 86 1 II. Verity .17 15 :14 0 ii. W. V.' Robins ... 0 0 IS 1 (!. .7. Burnett 1 1.1 0 M. Levitind o 0 6 0

0. M. R. W E. L. McCormick , «» ft ft ft. J. McCabe 3 ft ft 0 W. J. O'Reilly .. 15 5 35 1 L. Fleetwood-Smith 17 1 60 2