TEST MATCHES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16319, 7 January 1921, Page 3

TEST MATCHES.

A HUNDRED ON FIRST APPEARANCE.

DOUBLE HAT TRICK. (By J.W., in the “Australasian.”) in making 104 in the second innings of the first test match, Collins has added his name to the small list ot those who have made centuries on their first appearance in these games. Each player wbo has thus been successful, with the one exception of Hartigan, has been a notable batsman. It is a pity that Victor Trumpet had tq wait until TTis second test for the distinction : but as a set-off he has made the greatest number or centuries (six) of any batsman in the international series. The following list shows the players who have received such remarkable distinction : FOR ENGLAND. Runs R. E. Foster, Svrlney, 1903-1 . 287 W. G. Grace, The Ova!. IBSO . 132 George Gunn. Sydney. 1907-S . 11‘J K. S. Ranjitsinhji, Manchester, 1896 (not out) .... 134 FOR AUSTRALIA. "U. Bannorman. Melbourne. K. A. Duff, Melbourne. 1901-2 . 104 id. Graham, Lord's. 1893 . . 107 K. -I. Hartigan. Adelaide, 1907-8 . 116 li. L. Collins, Sydney. 1920 . . 104 * Retired hurt. Duff also played a three-figure innings—l 46 at. the Oval in 1903—in bis last test match. \Y. Bardtdey, against England at the Oval m 1909. made 106 in his first innings and 130 in the second, the only player who has ever achieved such an honour. Jn 1909 at the Oval Bardsley and f>yf|. Gregory put up 18-0 for the first wicket. On the present occasion Bardsley and Collins were responsible tor 123 lief ore a separation was effected. The 180 is a record for the first wicket so far as Australia is concerned, but it is easily put in the shade by the 323 made bv Hobbs and Rhodes at Melbourne in 1912. In the match at Manchester between Australia and South Africa T. J. Matthews did the hat trick in each innings of the hatter, a feat, without parallel in test cricket. Curiously enough, be obtained no other wickets in either in-

i' is only natural, considering all things, that Australians feel proud that so many of their champions hold test records. Bardsley’s feat in making a. double century and Matthew's double hat trick arc unique. Five Australians have achieved the honour of making of?tifuries in their first test to four Englishmen. Charles Banner-man's 163 (<*- tired hurt) on the Melbourne ground torty-three years ago was the first century ever made in test, games.