The Brilliance of Hammond

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 548, 28 December 1928, Page 10

The Brilliance of Hammond

Sidelights on Second Cricket Test

An Aucklander’s Impressions

IN the following article, specially written for The Sun, Mr. T. Elliott, well known ex-Auckland representative cricketer, gives his impressions of the Second Test match, played at Sydney from December 14 to 20.

It was a revelation to an Aucklander to find that 40,000 spectators could be found witnessing a cricket match in Sydney on any day other than a holiday or a Saturday. Yet this world’s record for a Friday assembled to watch the opening day’s play in the second test match. After inspecting ttie wicket the captains tossed, and the pleased nod to his men by Captain Ryder assured them that so far all was well. Chapman also smiled—his eternal smile of goodfellowship and cheery optimism. Owing, no doubt, to Larwood's success against Ponsford, Richardson accompanied Woodfull to the wicket, and Larwood opened to Woodfull. It was surprising that a bowler so short in stature could make the ball fly so high as Larwood did, the batsmen having difficulty in dodging it. Richardson, in his endeavour to score from the rising balls, placed two over the slips’ heads, both of which went to the boundary, one of the strokes being touched by a fieldsman. Runs came slowly, and eventually Larwood bowled Richardsor. with a ball which kept low. THAT KIPPAX INCIDENT Kippax was at the wicket for only a brief period, when a great sensation was created by his being given out bowled by the umpire at square leg after he had been given not out by the official at the bowler’s end, who had also called over. Hobbs is credited with having appealed to each umpire in turn, and both blundered; for umpire Hele, whose duty it was to decide, and did, should not have allowed K-ippax to retire, while on the other hand umpire Elder had no right to give a decisiori at all. The doubt arose as to whether the ball dislodged the bail from the wicketkeeper’s or the batsman’s pad. Ponsford, who followed Kippax, had scored only 5 when a ball from Larwood broke a bone in his left hand, and he is now out of the game for some time. Hendry and Ryder, with 37 and 25 respectively, batted confidently. Woodfull again proved how stubborn he is, and never looked like getting out until he fell lbw to Geary for 68. Oldfield and Ironmonger were the not outs when stumps were drawn on Friday. Soon after the resumption of play on Saturday, the innings closed for 253, Oldfield being not out, 40. The English team gave a great exhibition of fielding, there being scarcely a weak spot anywhere. Larwood, three for 75, was a more dangerous bowler than his figures indicate. Geary obtained five for 35, while the length and accuracy of White is manifested by the fact that he bowled 38 overs for 79 runs. It was an easy task to place the field for this bowler. As usual, Hobbs and Sutcliffe opened England’s innings, and when the latter had made 11, Hendry took a smart catch in the slips. The batsman took 75 minutes and the total was only 37. Hammond received an ovation on going to the crease, for he had scored 225 just previously on the same ground. He batted cautiously to the end of the day for 33, afid the total was 113 for two wickets, Hobbs being smartly caught at the •wicket for 40, and Jardine was not out, 23.

Luring Saturday’s play there was a record attendance of 58,456, and it was unfortunate that owing to thunder, lightning, rain and bad light, there was a delay of two hours. In the meantime opportunity was taken to present Hobbs with a boomerang, silver-plated and suitable inscribed, and also a wallet of notes, which doubtless were more acceptable than were notes on the game. Noble, the famous captain of former test teams, made the presentation, and then escorted Hobbs around the Oval, while the huge gathering sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” with band accompaniment. There will linger in the memory of this great batsman, years after he has laid his bat aside, that scene on the Sydney ground on his 46th birthday-—the spontaneous outburst of genuine regard for the man and admiration for his wonderful record. Perhaps, too, it was appropriate that these honours should be showered on him, while the crowd was so anxious that showers should cease. Many amusing incidents occurred during the' recess. Quite a number of inebriates hurled themselves over the fence from time to time, only to be hurled back again by the guardians of law and order, and sometimes of sobriety. On Monday Hammond remained at the wicket all day and carried his total to 201. Hendren (74), by sound batting, including some late cuts which appear to be a lost art in modern cricket. Chapman scored 20, including two sixes, and was well caught by Ryder, after running after and under the ball with the sun in his eyes. Larwood was not out, 37, and the total, 420 for five wickets. Tuesday’s play saw the previous record broken, as the total reached 636. It was a strong presumption that Hammond would beat R. E. Foster’s 257 also, but at 251 he played Ironmonger on to his wicket. He had given a great exhibition of all-round batting, but the outstanding feature was his ability to get well back and drive hard on both sides 'of the wicket. In this record score it is worthy of note that Sutcliffe, with 11, was the smallest scorer, and if there is a tail it wagged vigorously. Geary (66), Tate (25), Duckworth (not out 39), White (29) all worried the Australian bowling, and left the home team a total of 345 runs to get to save an innings defeat. The Australian fielding suffered a great deal by comparison with that of England, but some of it will long be remebered for its excellent quality. Richardson at “silly point” and also at mid-off gave the best exhibition I have ever seen. He was certainly the idol of the spectators, and was constantly in the limelight. Bradman, as substitute in thfe outfield and third man, Kippax, Woodfull and Grimmett left little to be desired. Australia opened its second innings with Woodfull and Richardson, but the latter was immediately caught at leg by Hendren for none. It was a sacrifice of a wicket, for the batsman must have been weary owing to the enormous amount of fielding which came his way. I feel bound to say that if his "blob” were to be considered in connection with the runs he saved for he would stand high with an average. “. y joined "Woodfull and then began a. partnership which again proved how Australia fights when up

against it. Woodfull was careful at first, but later he added runs at a fair rate, while Hendry was more aggressive. They gradually assumed mastery over the bowling and scored all round the wicket, rousing the spectators to great enthusiasm. ITendry finally went lbw to Tate with a- splendid score of 112 to his credit. Kippax started confidently but reached only double figures when Tate got him lbw also. The bowler was swinging, and was the best in attack on the English side. Woodfull had run himself out first before Kippax went. He had played a most invaluable innings for 111, which lasted four hours 18 minutes. RYDER OPENS OUT Ryder and Nothling were next associated, and the former was aggressive from the start, while Nothling played a great defensive game. The skipper used his feet most cleverly and smote the bowling in all directions, his offdriving being a feature. He was 77 and Nothling 20 when stumps were drawn, and the total 339. Play was resumed on Thursday at the appointed hour. Ryder and Nothling had added only two when the former was caught as square leg. His 79 was very pleasing, as he put his weight and strength into the strokes. Nothling was run out, having made a patient 44. The rest of the team failed and England had only 15 to get, which they secured for the loss of two wickets, Tate and Geary being dismissed by Hendry at the cost of four runs. In Australia’s second innings three batsmen were lbw and two were run out. The wicketkeeping of both men, Oldfield and Duckworth, was of a very high order and was the subject of much favourable criticism.