FIFTH TEST.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 697, 25 February 1933, Page 11

FIFTH TEST.

ENGLAND BATTING AT SYDNEY. Century to Hammond. MATCH RESUMED IN HOT WEATHER. United Press Assn.—By Elc- L Telegraph—Copyright. (Received February 25, 4 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 25. When the fifth Test was resumed the weather was hot. There was a big crowd. With England’s score at 159 for two wickets Hammond (72) and Larwood (5) resumed the innings. Hammond reached the century before the partnership was broken. Larwood and Leyland carried on till the luncheon adjournment, when the total was 253. After lunch, Larwood and Leyland continued to bat steadily. At the tea adjournment, England had scored 349 for the loss of six wickets. Scores:— AUSTRALIA.

BEST SCORE TO DATE. Australians’ First Innings Total. SYDNEY, February 24. With bright and forceful batting, Australia’s six remainng batsmen increased their overnight score of 296 for five to the useful total of 435, Darling making the highest score of 85. The innings closed shortly after lunch. England in their first innings have lost two wickets for 159, Hammond (72) and Larwood (5) being not out. Hot weather, tempered by a cool breeze, prevailed for the second day of the fifth test match. The wicket was still excellent. Very bright batting by Darling, Oldfield and Lee resulted in 115 runs being added before lunch for the loss of two wickets. The Darling-Oldfield partnership was looking dangerous for England when Verity tricked Darling. Apart from his early mistakes of yesterday, Darling batted very forcefully and appeared more comfortable against Larwood than the right-handed batsmen. He bated for 148 minutes and hit eight fours. Lee and Oldfield registered the fifth partnership of 50 in an innings. Lee gave a breezy display, being very severe on Verity, whom he repeatedly lifted high into the outfield. Lee batted for only thirty-five minutes, but hit seven fours. Oldfield also played well, but Larwood should have had him caught behind the wicket on three occasions. A great cheer greeted Australia’s 400 which was posted after 380 minutes’ play. This is the best score of the series for the home side. O’Reilly was erratic, but he notched his biggest score in test cricket. Oldfield was out when Paynter threw down the stumps from mid-off. Allen gained his first wicket when 123 runs had been taken off his bowling. Alexander revealed strokes of a class batsman, and was unconquered. The innings lasted 410 minutes. Australia has reason to be proud of the score. All the batsmen went for the The English fielding was deplorable.; Altogether about a dozen chances went begging during the innings. Larwood was easily the best bowler. Jardine’s Escapes. Australia’s new fast bowler, Alex- 1 ander, opened to Jardine and Sutcliffe. Jardine was dropped by M’Cabe in the slips in Alexander’s second over. He was then eight. He had added only a single when he was again missed off Alexander. This time by Lee, at point. Sutcliffe complained to the umpire about Alexander finishing his run on the wicket, thereby cutting it up, but the umpire took no action. When Jardine gave his third chance, Oldfield made no mistake taking a brilliant catch on the leg side. The bowling lacked hostility after tea, and with Sutcliffe and Hammond, especially the latter, in dashing form, 100 appeared in ninety-five minutes. Hammond relished the slow bowling and made many glorious drives off overpitched balls. Sutcliffe was also more enterprising than usual and appeared to be in excellent form. Hammond reached 50 in seventy-four minutes, including eight fours. He then gave his first chance, but M’Cabe in the slips failed to hold the ball. Ironmonger was the bowler. Hammond added three and was again missed by Richardson off Alexander. Both were difficult catches. Sutcliffe’s 50 took 140 minutes. There was quite a stir when Hammond also appealed against Alexander cutting up the pitch. Sutcliffe was caught at short leg. England has made a splendid reply to Australia and the match promises to be a long-drawn-out struggle. The Australian fielding was as bad

as England’s. Bradman, however, was brilliant in the out-field. The attendance was 25,687 and the gate receipts amounted to £2248.

Woodfull. b Larwood 14 Richardson, c Jardine b Larwood 0 Bradman, b Larwood ... 48 O’Brien, c Larwood b Voce ... 61 M’Cabe, c Hammond b Verity 73 Darling, b Verity S5 Oldfield, run out 52 Lee, c Jardine b Verity . 42 O’Reilly, b Allen 19 Alexander, not out 17 Ironmonger, b Larwood . 1 Total 435 Bowling. O M R W Larwood 32 10 98 4 Voce 24 4 80 1 Allen 25 13 128 1 Hammond 8 0 32 0 Verity 17 3 62 3 Wyatt 2 0 12 0 The fall of the wickets w as :—One for none, two for 59, three for 64, four for 165, five for 244, six for 328, seven for 385, eight for 414, nine for 430, ten for 435. ENGLAND. First Innings. Jardine, c Oldfield b O’Reilly . IS Sutcliffe, c Richardson b O'Reilly 56 Hammond, Ibw b Lee ... 101 Larwood, not out 84 Leyland, not out 21 Total for three wickets 292