FIRST TEST

Southland Times, Issue 19895, 14 June 1926, Page 7

FIRST TEST

AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND HOME SIDE BATTING RAIN CAUSES POSTPONEMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 12. There was heavy rain overnight but the morning dawned fine. Later there was a light drizzle. The wicket was covered overnight, but the outfield was soft. The crowd began to assemble a couple of hours before the advertised time to start. The ground filled rapidly as trains and char-a-bancs arrived from ail parts of the country. The Australian team is:—T. J. Andrews, W. Bardsley, H. L. Collins, J. M. Gregory, C. G. Macartney, A. W. Mailey, W. A. Oldfield, A. J. Richardson, J. S. Ryder, J. M. Taylor, W. M. Woodfull. C. Grimmett is twelfth man. England won the toss and Carr decided to bat. At 11.20 a heavy shower delayed the start, which was eventually made at 12.12 on an easy wicket. Copious use of sawdust was immediately necessary. Hobbs took the first over from Gregory. He opened the score with a single to leg, Sutcliffe following with a single through slips off the same bowler. Gregory was kicking badly but developed better pace than he has yet shown. Macartney had a perfect length and had Sutcliffe guessing in the second over. The first boundary came from Hobbs off a no ball from Macartney. When the score was 17 a risky single off Gregory saw Hobbs nearly run out by a smart return from Richardson, the batsmen dodging each other on the run. Hobbs was careful, characteristically attractive and placed the bowling superbly. He cut well and made some powerful leg strokes. Sutcliffe was more sedate and more orthodox in his strokes. The fielding was clean and the picking up smart, Taylor, Andrews and Bardsley being prominent. After 47 minutes of play a heavy, almost tropical shower compelled an adjournment. The rain continued till 2.30. Frequent inspections of the wicket were made during the afternoon by Carr and Collins, but at 5.30 it was decided that play must be abandoned for the day. The attendance was 20,000. —Reuter. The following are the scores:— ENGLAND. —First Innings.— Hobbs, not out 19 Sutcliffe, not out 13 Total 32 ENGLANDS “DARK HORSE.” FAVOURABLE COMMENT BY COLLINS. (Rec. 5.5 pan.) London, June 11. Every London newspaper makes the test match the feature story of the day, every available aspect being discussed at length. Hie concensus of opinion is that England will win if the players go after the bowling, while several say that all eyes will be on Root, England’s dark horse. Mr Sydney Smith, interviewed, said: ‘You ! can take It from the ‘horse’s mouth’—there is no coughing in the Australian stable tonight.” He added that no rigid discipline was imposed as a preparation for the game. The men could retire when they liked and rise when they liked provided they were on parade in good time. i The English team is arriving by ones and ! twos from all over the country. Hundreds of people are parading outside the Australians’ hotel in the hope of catching sight of the heroes within. The pitch will be covered overnight, while a police patrol will be on duty all night long to guard against accidents. Collins, speaking at a luncheon at York, said, “England’s test side does England credit. In fact, the Australians do not like the look of it because it practically eliminates the tail which England possessed for years.”—Reuter. CAPTAINS DISAGREE. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 12. The crowd waited patiently while an inspection of the wicket was made. Ten thousand persons were present when Carr and Collins made their final visit. They appeared pnable to agree and decided to call out the umpires whose decision was that no further play was possible. The position had resolved itself into a contest between the two captains in which Collins won the day. A half an hour of play on the soft wicket would have been invaluable to England. On the contrary Collins with a depleted team could not afford the risks likely to accrue from the slippery ground. During the closing consultation of the captains, the spectators vociferously demanded a continuation of the play. One wag shouted “Send for Armstrong,” but they accepted the final decision with the utmost good humour. Bosanquet, writing in the Dispatch, says: “Everything was going our way when down comes a thunderstorm. It was fine to see Hobbs and Sutcliffe opening with all their old confidence and mastery. They played the bowling with ease and confidence. A difficult wicket is now our only available chance of victory with the limited time for the matches.”—Sun Cable. COAL STRIKE FORGOTTEN. London, June 11. The coal stoppage has almost been forgotten in the cricket fever in Nottinghamshire, which is more remarkable as there are five collieries within the city boundaries. The ground is in perfect order and the wicket is stated to be fast. There was a shower at 12.30 in the afternoon but if no more rain falls the wicket will be hard and fast. HENDRY RECOVERED, London, June 11. Hendry has fully recovered, and hopes to leave hospital in a few days. LEADING AVERAGES. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, June 11. Hie following are the cricket averages:— Not

Innings, outs. Runs. Avge. Gregory .. .. 12 6 494 82.33 Hendrv .. 2 0 139 69.50 Hendren .. .. 16 5 761 69.18 Hardinge .. .. 11 1 608 60.80 Woodfull ., .. 12 1 653 59.36 Sandham .. .. 15 1 785 56.07 Brown .. . 1 784 56 G. T. S. Stevens 11 1 527 52.70 Shepherd .. .. 15 1 696 49.71 Richardson .. 9 5 197 49.25 Mead .. .. .. 14 1 629 48.38 Andrews . .. 13 2 530 48.18 Macartney is placed 23rd with 42.11. BOWLING. Wickets. Runs. Avge. Rhodes .. .. .. 44 428 9.72 Cox .. .. .. .. 25 287 11.48 Richardson .. .. 28 328 11.71 Richmond .. .. 57 681 11.94 Tyldesley .. .. .. 40 481 12.05 Larwood .. .. .. 43 544 12.65 Macaulay .. .. .. 53 694 13.09 Macartney .. .. 30 396 1320 Tate .. .. .. .. 59 783 1327 Parkin .. .. .. 28 379 13.53 Parker .. .. 68 1004 14.76 Grimmett is placed 24th with 20, 399, 19.95. Everett is st the bottom of the list with 6, 208, 34.86.