TEST CRICKET IN AFRICA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18762, 29 December 1930, Page 9

TEST CRICKET IN AFRICA.

Home Team’s Fine Recovery NARROW DEFEAT OF M.C.C. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright CAPETOWN, December 26. A holiday crowd of 12,000 enjoyed many thrills when the first Test match, M.C.C. v. South Africa, was resumed in brilliant sunshine. The feature of the morning’s play was the deadly bowling of Nupen, who was never in better form, turning sharply both ways and nipping off the wicket. The English wickets fell rapidly after the dismissal of Hammond, who was steady, and hit five boundaries. The M.C.C. team was out for 193. and in its second innings South Africa has made 303 for the loss of seven wickets. The fielding was brilliant. The English innings lasted three hours and 10 minutes. With Tate and Voce bowling excellently, Siedle and Curnow opened South Africa’s second innings quietly and confidently, and gave no indication that the two wickets would be down for 50. Mitchell and Catterall were associated in a brilliant partnership and added 122 runs for the third wicket in 95 minutes. This stand is only 12 short of the South African third-wic-ket record made by Taylor and Nourse in 1922. Mitchell is easily the best bat in South Africa after Taylor. His 72, including seven boundaries, was scored in 125 minutes. Catterall, in 95 minutes’ batting, included one six and five fours. The English bowling was stingless when Voce was resting, White, Peebles and Hammond all being heavily punished. After tea Tate and Voce were again dangerous and secured some cheap wickets. Cameron and Viljoen fought back to a safer position, however, scoring 81 in 55 minutes, Cameron hitting five boundaries. The bowling was again without sting toward the end of the day, but the fielding was good. CONCLUDING DAY’S PLAY. TRIUMPH OF AFRICAN BOWLERS. United Press Association—By KectrU Telegraph—Copyright. (Received December 28, 5.5 p.m.) JOHANNESBURG, December 27. There was perfect weather for the resumption of the Test match, in the presence of 10,000 spectators, who saw Africa win a thrilling contest by 28 runs. Africa’s Fine Recovery. After the poorest display in the first innings, when it seemed as if the first test was destined to end in a fiasco, South Africa magnificently recovered, and gained a most dramatic victory, by the narrow margin of 28 runs. The home side lost the three remaining wickets for only three runs, leaving England 240 to win, but the batsmen were seen to be in trouble to Catterall and Nupen. The former, with a new ball, secured two early victims, and Wyatt, Leyland and Hendren were disposed of before lunch. England’s Losing Fight. Hammond and Turnbull were associated in a fine partnership. Turnbull hit the bowling all over the field, and before he was dismissed the game once more veered in England’s favour, but when Hammond was out, England’s fate was sealed, although at one stage it looked as though Tate might pull the game from the fire. Africa’s Deadly Attack. Splendid bowling, which never slackened, and brilliant fielding, decided the result. The game was a personal triumph for the Springbok captain, Nupen, who bowled right through the innings, with wonderful success. He developed wonderful pace, whipping fiercely off the pitch, and the batsmen were never able to cope with him. He had a wonderful ovation at the conclusion of the match. It is announced that Deane will captain the South Africans in the remaining four tests, but as he is not available for the Australian tour, Nupen will almost certainly captain the side.

Following are the scores:— SOUTH AFRICA. First Innings 126 Second Innings. Curnow, run out 8 Seidle, 1.b.w., b Voce 35 Mitchell, c Duckworth, b Hammond 72 Catterall, c Hendren, b Hammond 54 Balaskas, 1.b.w., b Tate 3 Viljoen, b Hammond 44 Cameron, c Duckworth, b Voce .. 51 McMillan, v Voce 14 Nupen, b Hammond I Vincent, b Voce 1 Newson, not out 0 Extras 23 Total 306 Bowling analysis—Tate took one wicket for 46, Hammond four for 63, Voce four for 59, Peebles one for 41, White none for 53, Wyatt none for 20. MARYLEBONE. First Innings 193 Second Innings. Wyatt, c McMillan, b Catterall .. 5 Leyland, c and b Catterall .. .. 15 Hammond, st. Cameron, b Vincent 63 Hendren, c Mitchell, b Nupen .... 3 Turnbull, b Nupen 61 Chapman, c Mitchell, b Nupen .. 11 White, 1.b.w., b Nupen 2 Tate, c Mitchell, b Nupen 28 Voce, c Nupen, b Vincent 0 Duckworth, 1.b.w., b Nupen 4 Peebles, not out 13 Extras 6 Total 211 Bowling analysis—Newson took no

wickets for 30, Catterall two for 12, Nupen six for 87, McMillan none for 25, Vincent two for 44, Balastatf nc*ie for 7.