CLAPHAM COMMON CRICKETERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20587, 28 November 1936, Page 17 (Supplement)

CLAPHAM COMMON CRICKETERS

M.C.C. TEAM IN AUSTRALIA

LIVELY CRITICISM BY J. B. HOBBS

BATTING FAILURE IN BRISBANE United Press Association -Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (By J. B. Hobbs. Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.| (Received November 27, 10.50 p.m.) BRISBANE, November 27. The English team commenced a match against Queensland to-day in fine weather. The teams are: England—R. W. V. Robins (captain), H. A. Barnett, W. R. Hammond, A. E. Fagg, L. B. Fishlock. L. E. Ames, M. Leyland, J. Hardstaff, K. Fames, W. Voce, H. Verity. Queensland—Oxenham (captain), Brown, Rogers, Baker, T. Allen, Andrews, Dixon, Cockburn, Amos, Wyeth, Tallon, Hansen (12th man).

Disappointing Batting

The English batting was disappointing again to-day, when the team collapsed against Queensland, the last five wickets falling in half an hour after tea, for 13 runs.

Great interest was shown in England's first match in Brisbane, because the Australians thought the team doing duty might give an indication of Allen's ideas for his test eleven. He, of course, has to come in, and possibly Worthington, who is having his first rest of the tour. Much however, will depend on how Fishlock and Hardstaff shape. It was a beautiful day of sunshine without overpowering heat.

Early Losses

The loss of Fagg to the third ball of the day. before a run was scored, illustrated the difference between a batsman being in and out of luck. Everything goes wrong for Fagg. A ball from Dixon stood up and hit him on the glove, resulting in a “dolly” catch at third slip. In Dixon's next over, Hammond when he had scored one, edged a ball safely between third slip and the gully. Barnett was missed off a difficult catch at cover, but was taken a* second slip off the same bowler without an addition to his score. He made strokes and played fairly well.

“Good Bit of Bowling”

In spite of early losses England got a quick start, aided by the boundary on one side being short. When Cxenham came on, the rate of scoring dropped 50 per cent. The ball lifted for only about two overs, then the wicket was tuite good. Oxenham was the chief instrument in checking the scoring, and his first spell was as good a bit of bowling as I have seen this season, in matter of length and flight. He did not get the ball past the batsman, nor appear to make it turn much, but in his first six overs only two scoring shots were made off him.

Hammond's Fine Shots

In Dixon's second over after lunch, Leyland at 23, was missed by the wicketkeeper but Hammond was caught at the wicket trying to cut the came bowler. Hammond was playing well within himself and was on top of the bowling. Two of Hammond’s fours stoed out—one was a beautiful forward stroke past point, and the other a powerful drive past extra cover. Leyland and Ames in a fourth wicket partnership, added 107, and looked good for many more, but again the slow leg break bowler did" the damage. Three wickets were down with 190 on the board, but the ninth man was out at 215, at which figure three wickets fell.

Hobbs Hit Out

This won't do. Being a batsman myself, I have held back from severe criticism because I made allowances for strange conditions, but the time has come to speak out. The tail-enders shaped like Clapham Common cricketers against the slow bowling. The dismal feature of the play of this tour is the way th? advantage of big. stands by Hammond, Leyland and Ames have been squandered by what can be described only as sheer panic. To-day everything was in the batsmen’s favour. They should have scored a big total against Queensland, who, however steadily they bowled, are not a great bowling side. ±f England can’t get runs under to-day's conditions they can’t expect to get them against Australia. A couple of “Patsy” Hendrens here now would be worth their weight in gold, although it is worth such a high price. Ames falling to a middle-leg spinner, was easily caught in the slips. Hardstaff was caught and bowled next ball—a great catch. At the tea interval England had 202 for five wickets. Leylam missed his century, being well caught at mid-off in the first over after tea. He was at fault only twice, trying to make lofty drives and not timing them, but the ball fell clear. Strong leg play was the chief characteristic of the innings. Like Fagg and Hardstaff, Fishlock’s bad luck still pursued him. Responding “o a call for a sharp run he stumbled, Jse he would have got in easily. Following are the scores:

ENGLAND First Innings Fagg, c Andrews, b Dixon 0 Barnett, c Baker, b Dixon .... 20 Hammond, c Tallon, b Dixon .. 36 Leyland, c 3rown, b Allen . . 98 Ames, c Amos, b Aller' 41 Hardstaff, c and b Allen 0 Fishlock, run out 6 Robins, c Tallon, b Oxenham .... 1 Verity, stpd. Tallon, b Allen .... o Voce, not out 6 Fames, run out 4 Extras 3 :Total 215 Bowling: Dixon took three wickets for 50 runs; Cockburn, none for 46; Oxenham, one for 34; Amos, none for

11; Wyeth, none for 44; Allen, four for 27. QUEENSLAND First Innings Brown, not out 38 Rogers, not cut 32 Extra 1 Total for no wickets .... 71 Bowling: Voce took no wickets for 18 runs; Fornes, none for 19; Hammond, none for 10; Robins, none for 23.

AUSTRALIA’S TEST TEAM McCORMACK PASSES DOCTORS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright MELBOURNE, November 27. E. L. McCormick, the Victorian fast bowler, who has been chosen for the first test, has been pronounced fit by two doctors.