ONLY HOPE

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

ONLY HOPE

HAMMOND AND LEYLAND HOBBS REVIEWS CHANCES BRADMAN UNRIVALLED BOWLERS STICK TO TASK (Klcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Feb. 4, 11 a.m.) ADELAIDE, Feb. 4.

Commenting on the fifth day’s play in the fourth cricket test, Mr. J. B. Hobbs says: “The cricket was at its best, and England did better than I expected. I anticipated more runs from Australia, and I feared that England might lose more wickets. It might have been done, too, if the Australians had held their catches, for Barnett was missed once and HardstafT twice.

“I think England's only hope rests with Hammond and- Leyland. I expected that the bowlers would get more nip out of. the wicket than .they.did.

‘'Bradman's was a remarkable innings by an astounding cricketer, and it doubtless decided the issue. There never lias been such a prolific run-getter, and wo may never again see his like. He passes from record to record, until there seems nothing more for him to beat. “His innings in this match enhanced his greatness. It proved that lie can play a fighting game with his back to the wall. In the past he scored hundreds of runs with his own trademarked hook shot, but once or twice this season he got out with it, so he eliminated it. The fact that he has made his seventh double century in tests against England makes one realise his genius. It looked absolutely impossible to dismiss him.’’ HAMMOND’S FINE BOWLING

“It must have been heartbreaking to bowl against the broad-bladed Don, but. the bowlers gave no clue of their secret feeling of helplessness and hopelessness. This feeling must have been shared by the fieldsmen, but they, 100, stuck to their task manfully.

“Ames’ work compared favourably with Oldfield’s and that is high praise. “Gregory to-day played with more confidence and more strokes. With this experience, the 20-year-old Gregory should go straight ahead, and witu Badeock, of whom I hold a still higher opinion, he ought to keep his place in Australian elevens for inanv years.

“ Chipperfield’s was a bright effort, full of strokes timed so well as to get amazing power.

“Hammond, in finishing with the wonderful figures of five wickets for 37, was helped by two great catches by Ames. Verity kept dropping them on the spot without looking like getting wickets.”

DEPENDENCE, ON BRADMAN Mr. 0. G. Macartney, in his comment, says: “While Australia holds the advantage, England is making a determined fight. Their task is particularly hard, as the wicket is assisting the spin howlers. ■ Bradman's big score will go down in cricket history as one of the finest ever registered. He was many times tempted to play vigorously to Verity’s legside stuff, but, apparently, was able to curb the desire- for the sake of what might happen after lie went. Also lie was able to steer Gregory through his baptism, demonstrating that the test atmosphere should contain no terrors for a new player. “That Bradman is a menace to England has been clearly proved in two successive tests and that his restraint was necessary is abundantly borne out by the feeble efforts of Australia’s tail. Chipperfield, too, has been a very valuable man. “The honours to-day went to Hammond who caught and bowled Bradman and then proceeded to clean up Australia’s tail. He was a grand object lesson for young cricketers. “Barnett, Robins and Havdstaff were outstanding fieldsmen. Verity did much valuable stock howling. Fames was easily the rripst impressive of the speed attack.

“Sluggishness in the field caused Fingleton, McCormick and O’Reilly to miss chances. Australia certainly is not in such a good position that she can afford to give away runs. The position now is not nearly so rosy and, consequently, to-morrow’s play is likely to have its exciting moments.”

HOPE STILL LINGERS COMMENT IN ENGLAND BRADMAN’S BEST EFFORT (Reed. Feb. 4, 11 n.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. 'Die Star has a streamer heading: “Hard Fight; but England Has a Chance.” This sums up the London evening papers’ view' of the, test match.

While Hammond remains, hope lingers of pulling the match out of the fire. One of the evening posters in bold letters says: “Now, then Hammond!” Another says: “England is Fighting Back.” But the headlines concentrate on England’s task and on the wearing wicket.

Mr. ir. A. 11. Carson says: “The fact that Australia is almost entirely dependent on O’Reilly, FleetwoodSmith, and McCormick is in our favour. 1 consider Bradman's innings fur better than any other he litis played against England. It was less sensational than some, but it contained far more true cricket strokes.”