BIG CRICKET AT LORDS..

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 2 June 1926, Page 9

BIG CRICKET AT LORDS..

Australia v. Middlesex.

HOME TEAM’S FAIR SHOWING

Sy Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australiaa and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, May 31.

The weather was warm and cloudy and the wicket good for the resumption of the match Australia v. Middlesex.

Durston and Haig commenced tlio attack. Andrews quickly played himself in, superbly pulling Durston to leg in the second over for a boundary, followed by a similar boundary front Haig, whom he also drove twice to the on for four.

Taylor sent up 400 with a lucky leg boundary from Durston. The Australians had then batted 320 minutes. (>il : the next ball, Taylor was caught at first slip low down. The attendance at Lord’s to-day was 15,000. Andrews batted 195 minutes. When 158 he was badly missed at the stumps, when going out to oho from Stevens.'' His is the best knock of the tour, crisp and brilliant, with a larger variety of strokes than hitherto. Tic hit 22 fours. Stevens’s bowling was poor. He was uiinblo to -find his length. Gregory and Ryder played attractively, both sending Alien to the boundary. Ryder gained many runs from neat leg glances, and then succumbed to a magnificent ball from Allen, which swung in low. Gregory punished Haig severely, hitting him for 6, 4 and 1 in one over, to leg. and in the next over off the same bowler ho knocked 4,2, 4, G. Allen secured Oldfield’s and Gnmmett’s wickets with halls similar to the one with which ho dismissed Ryder. Gregory’s score included two sixes, and six fours. Allen’s average to-day was 5 for 30. Middlesex Bats. Gregory and Macartney opened the bowling, when Middlesex sent Stevens and Lee in. When lie had two on the board Stevens sent an apparently easy return low to Gregory, which the latter failed to hold. Gregory’s length was variable, and the ball was rising dangerously. Both batsmen played him easily, giving Bardsley oil the leg boundary plenty of work. Neither was so sure when facing Macartney, being unable to judge his break. _ , Grinimett’s guile was a material factor in keeping down runs. He sent down three successive maidens to Hearne, who was safe, but unable to (get him away. Everett could not find his length, the ball mostly pitching short. >

Hearne dealt with the long hops effectively. After tea Grimmett’s length became slacker, and the batsmen did not hesitate to take advantage thereof. When the total was 13d, Hearne tried to turn Gregory to leg, • but missed the, ball which removed his bails. He played solidly for two hours, hit five fours, and exhibited elonn cutting. His partnership with Stevens added 108 to to total.

Stevens drove Grimmett powerfully to leg and the'off boundaries. The fielding generally was of a high order. Ryder’s pace was slow, and lie relied lergely on the leg break. Hcndren played freely, but had a luckv escape when he- had made .16, Bardsley and Andrews both attempting a. catch off Macartney, and collided. He was eventually well hold by Woodfull at point from a hard cut. Stevens’ batting was streaky. ' In his second spell with the ball Everett improved his length, which was mure consistent, but still lacked sting.

Stevens, on reaching tho century after 3-J hours’ batting, was heartily congratulated all round, A feature of the Australian innings was the number of i.o balls, over « dozen being bowled on Saturday arid more to-day some of which were sent to the boundary.

Stumps were then drawn, following arc the scores

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Bnrdslcy, b Hcarne 70 IVoodfull, c Heiidrcn, b Hurston 3 Macartney, c Tanner, b Haig ... 44 Collins, c Tanner, b Haig 90 Andrews, c Stevens, b Allen ... ]G4 Taylor, c Hendren, b Hurston 14 Ryder, b Allen ... ’ 22 Gregory, not out 45 Oldfield, b Allen ... 4 Grimmett, b Allen 0 Everett, b Allen 0 Extras 24 Total 489Bowling—Haig 2 for 100, Hurston 2 for 70, Tanner 0 lor 05, Allen 5 for 03, Stevens 0 for 57, Hearne 1 for 41, Lee 0 for 3. MIDDLESEX. Eii\st Innings. Stevens, not out 114 Lee, b Gregory 13 Hearne, b Gregory 59 Hendren, c AYoodfull, b Everett 19 Bruce, b Everett '0 Allen, c and b Grimmett 11 Mann, c Andrews, b Everett ... 5 Extras 0 Tcftal for six wickets ... 233 RESUMPTION OF THE MATCH. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegrams. (Received June 2, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON, June 1. The weather was wnnn and overcast for tho resumption of the match. 'The wicket is bard and wearing well. Haig did not wait to piny himself in. He touched a rising ball from Gregory to tbo boundary over the heads of the slips. He then off drove Gregory, the stroke beipg lnisficldod by Macartney, yielding four. He followed up by driving Ryder to tho off and the on boundary in tbo same over. Mistiming' Gregory in the nextover, he was well taken low down at second slip. Eight wickets are down for 205. Haig, c \\ oodltill, b Gregory ... 21 Stevens, not out ... poo launer, e Andrews, b Gregory ... 2 CRICKET CONFERENCE. E (IT ÜBE INT ER NAT TONAL CONTESTS. By Cable —Frees Association—Ccpyrielit. Au.traUori nod X-V. CiUtlo Amiocm... LONDON, May 31. The Imperial Cricket Conference met at Cords. England. Australia, South Africa, i New Zealand, the West Indies and i India were reprehended. It unanimously adopted Air Smith’s

resolution in favour of the allotment of more than three days to Tests in England, which should be played out if possible. It also agreed that five Tests should be played, as at present. It is explained that these do not become the law without the Marylcbone Club’s endorsement.

The Conference decided that England will visit South Africa during' 1926-27, South Africa to pay a return visit in 1928, England to visit Australia in 1928-29, and Australia to visit England in 1930.

A resolution wan carried requesting tho Australian Board of Control to reconsider tho proposal of reverting to tho six ball over in Tests, thus obtaining uniformity. The Conference will reassemble at the Oval on July 2-S.

INDISCREET REMARK,

PROMINENT OFFICIAL IN TROUBLE. By Carlo —Press Assacialion —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Ctiblo Association. LONDON, May 31. It is understood that a leading English official has been reported for a remark to the umpires regarding a decision given at Bristol. He is alleged to have said: “You ought to know what Australians are.” seated the statement, and decided to notify the controlling authorities. Several Australians when told veTlie Bristol incident related to Hie Australians’ appeal duo to bad light on the first day. It is understood the Marylebonc Club is inquiring into the complaint. COMMENT ON THE MATCH. Ml I) DDES EX STAR PLAYERS.

By Cable —Press Associntion—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received .June J, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Colonel Trevor, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: “Steven,s had tho honour of the first century against the Australians. He was coolness personified. He has been batting most consistently this season, and lias tho temperament for a big occasion, whether batting, bowling or fielding. Allen at first could not keep direction or find his length, but when lie got the ball under control, lie met with continuous success. The more his colleagues failed, the more fiercely Gregory hit, being especially severe on Haig. Neither Hearne nor Stevens took liberties, but they made tlio Australian bowling look innocuous.” Allen, flip young express bowler, silenced criticism of his selection for the English trial. He was always troublesome and polished olf five Australians sensationally, the hist three not costing a run. He was bowling better than on Saturday, and his pace heat the batsmen. Allen was born in Sydney and came to England ill boyhood. He is a real Cotter, but less sturdy. Tlie Australian bowling was eollnrod in tlie Hearne-Stevciis partnership, both batsmen being very steady, and looked like lasting a week. Everett was disappointing at the first try, but better at the second. He needs, however, to improve. Jt seems clear from tlie match that if the wicket; arc good the scoring in the Tests will he exceptionally heavy, and no results achieved.