AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1926, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

LEICESTER MATCH DRAWN.

ENGLISHMEN’S POOR DISPLAY

GREGORY 120, NOT OUT. -By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 4. The Australian cricketers’ match against Leicester was drawn. Australia made a total of 336, the remaining scores being Gregory, not out 120; Grimmett, c. Astill b. Shipman, 22. The bowling analysis was: Skelding, five for 97; Geary, one for 92; Astill, none for 41; Shipman, one for 38; Bale, three for 43; Lord, none for 16. Leicester were dismissed for 96 runs in their first innings, and following on, had made 15 for one wicket when stumps were drawn. The detailed scores were:— AUSTRALIA.—First Innings 336. LEICESTER—First Innings.

THE MATCH DESCRIBED. The weather was fine and the wicket was good. The attendance was 3000. The Australians’ innings was continued quietly, neither Gregory nor Grimmett taking any risks with Skelding and Geary, who were bowling a good length. Grimmett displayed strength on the leg side, and raised enthusiasm by sending Skelding to the boundary. After frequent changes of bowlers Gregory opened out and lifted Shipman for six into the pavilion. Two balls later Grimmett cut Shipman hard towards second slip, Astill, who jumped and stopped the fast travelling ball and then fell, catching it on the second attempt almost on the ground. Gregory’s score included two sixes and 15 fours. He gave a bright, spectacular and sound exhibition and received an ova- ‘ tion on returning to the pavilion. He batted 145 minutes. , Gregory and Everett opened Australia s attack. It was the latter’s first appearance and he caused much interest. He was the faster of the two, but his length was variable. Berry, who is not yet 21, faced the bowling with easy confidence and, after a promising display, mistimed Grimmett and was easily caught at midon. Everett lost his length about lunch time, but Grimmett kept the batsmen on the qui vive, Sharp using his pads. freely. Grimmett kept a perfect length, in contrast to Gregory, who varied greatly. Grimmett was tossing up balls for the batsmen to hit. The scoring was slow. Coffins had the field so placed that it was difficult to obtain runs. Of the total 53 were angles. Fowke took an hour to get seven. Macartney nonplussed the batsmen by varying his pace and swing. Leicester followed on. When Shipman had made one Ryder missed an easy return. Ryder, after the first two singles, bowled four successive maidens and kept dead on the wicket with a length that could not be cored off. Batsmen refused to hit the occasional loose ones. MATCH AGAINST ESSEX.

London, May 4. The strike crisis will not interfere with the Australians’ match against Essex. Received May 6, 11.15 P-m. London, May 5. The . Essex team for to-day’s match is Perrin, Freeman, O’Connor, Russel, Claud Ashton, Nicholls, Hipkin, Eastman, Palmer, Cutmore and another to be chosen. Owing to rain there was no pray before Idnch. , Morris, who originally completed the Essex team, was commandeered by the War Office.

Shipman, c. and b. Gregory IS Berry, c. Ponsford, b. Grimmett d > • *« 14 Astill, c. Oldfield, b. Everett ... 7 Taylor, b. Macartney 19 Sharp, l.b.w., b. Macartney ...... Geary, b. Macartney 22 2 7 Lord, b. Ryder 0 Sidwell, b. Macartney , 9 Bale, b. Macartney 0 0 Extras • • — 3 Total 96 Bowling analysis.—Gregory, one for 25; Everett, one for 23; Grimmett, 26; Macartney, five for 9; Ryder, two for one for 10. LEICESTER.—Second Innings. Shipman, l.b.w., b. Ryder ....... >... r Berry, not out « 5 Extras ................... 2 Total (for one wicket) 15 Bowling analysis.—Ryder, one Grimmett, none for 9. for 4;