BIG CRICKET IN ENGLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 18 June 1924, Page 9

BIG CRICKET IN ENGLAND.

First Test Against Africans.

DAY OF VARYING FORTUNES.

By Cable —Press Association —Copyright LONDON, June 17.

The weather was fine and warm foi the continuation of the test match, and the attendance was 3000.

England’s score which totalled 438, was made in 323 minutes. The Africans’ first innings lasted only forty-nine minutes. The first three wickets were down after 17 balls. Gilligan and Tate were most destructive. The former yorked Nupen, and got Parker leg before, each with the first ball. Tate’s first ball in Test cricket disposed of Susskind, whom Kilner took at short leg. Both bowlers were enthusiastically cheered. The possible explanation ol the Africans’ failure is that they were batting on a hard, fast wicket, after a month ol wet wickets.

The afternoon was hot and occasionally cloudy, but the attendance increased to 10,000 for the Africans' second innings.

Tate and Gilligan opened the bowling. The former dismissed Taylor with a low left-handed catch, after tho African captain had batted 50 minutes. The second century appeared as the result of 223 minutes’ play. Commaillo fell to a smart catch by Hendren in slips, the ball flying off the batsman’s glove.

England’s score is a record against the Africans in this country, and tho Africans’ is the lowest total ever made in England in any Test. Gilligan’s astonishing performance was a sensation, not only of the day. but of the season. His pace was bewildering after the dead wickets of the recent weeks. Taylor, who opened the innings, did not receive a hall until the fifth batsman appeared. Gilligan sent down three no balls and after each secured a wicket, which recalled the old Yorkshire saying: “After a wide, a wicket.” The Africans persisted izi playing back to deliveries closely resembling half volleys. Gilligan twice took two wickets with successive balls. Tate was fully equal to his captain. Though his figures were less sensational, his length was perfect, and he continually varied his deliveries and disconcerted the Africans.

In the second innings, Commaille played with set purpose, wearing down the bowline. He was dour doggedness personified. After making a poor beginning the rest batted excellently, though Catterall was nervous. Following are the scores:

ENGLAND. First Innings. Sutcliffe, b Parker ... . , •• • 8l Hobbs, lbiv b' Blanckenberg ... 76 Woolley, c Ward b Parker . . . tH Hendren, c Nourso b Parker ... 74 Chapman,- b Parker • Fender, c Taylor, b Blanckenberg 36 Tate, c Taylor b Parker 19 Kilner, b Beglov Gilligan, b Pegler 13 Wood, b Parker 1 Parkin, not out Extras ' 6 Total 438

AFRICA. First Innings. Catterall, b Gilligan ....... <■' Susskind, c Kilncr, b late .... -I Taylor, b Tate Nourse, lbw., b Gilligan I Blauckonberg, b Tate 'j Commaillc, not out 1 Dean, lbw., b Gilligan a Nupen, b Gilligan -J Pegler, b Tate Ward, b Gilligan 1 Parker, lbw., b Gilligan °- Extras 11 Total 3K Bowling analysis: Gilligan took six for 7; Tate four for 12.

AFRICANS’ SECOND INNINGS. DAY CONCLUDES WITH TRIUMPH. (Received 5.5 p.m., June 17.) LONDON, June 17. Mr A. C. MacLaren in the “Dail> Express” says: “Despite the first innings sensation, the day’s play will cause some anxiety to the English Selection Committee. Taylor put. a heavv roller on the wicket which brought the clamp to the top, so that the ball was certain to turn for about twenty minutes. The star batsmen failed to break down these early difficulties. and pave the way for tho rest of the team to bat on a plumb wicket. flilligan's direction and length were splendid. Tate was equally difficult, hut tho Africans in the second innings made Parkin, Kilncr and Fender seem tame. Just when the game should have hoop finished quickly, Catterall am Hiauekenbcrg played in an heron tvlo. The Africans may surprise s vet. The man must be an optimist vim shouts about the bowling strength of England. Mr P. E. Warner, writing in the “Morning Post” says: The day began with disaster for the Africans, but elided in triumph. The wicket was perfection, but Gm batsmen seemed quite helpless against the splendid bowling of Gilligan and Tate. Tt wa-’ an utter rout, and what followed made i more ’orovnnroliensible. Scarce]', ever can there have been a grontm contrast in a single day's cricket. Tim explanation of the first innings lies >n the fact Ibnt the Africans, for the first rime in their tour, met with a. renlly fast wicket, and were all late in timi'!2 the ball. Tavlor and Commaillc started the second innings with numb confidence as if the side bad mad- .100 instead of 30 runs. Tt win onlv natural towards the end of a bet day. that the Englishmen should tin i-i Hie fickl. a’id during the last hour, Catterall and Bln nekenherg scored at a f .”,. r r; ,«c. Roth should have been out before the close of play, but their free batting delighted everybody, tho

crowd dispersing lull oi enthusiasm tor the Africans’ pluck. It was a remarkable day’s play, and if them should be a succession of hard trim wickets, 1 think the Africans will provo a far better side than they bare hitherto been regarded. Bv Cable- —Press Association —Copyright. (Received 1.5 n.m., Juno 18.) LONDON, Juno 17. The South Africans have lost si\ wickets for 254. Blnnckenberg 56, Deavc 5. Cattcrill, 56, not out. (The earlier scores have not been supplied by the Press Association.)