SECOND TEST.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 29 June 1926, Page 6

SECOND TEST.

COMMENT ON THE PLAY. Per Association—Copyright, LONDON, June 28. A queue numbering one hundred is waiting at the gate of Lords ground at midnight on Sunday. The two first men are lying on the ground attempting to sleep. LONDON, June 28. The proudest boy in England to-day is Cornelius King, the fifteen-year-old page-boy at the Hotel Cecil, who has been given the ■ bat with which Bardsley compiled his first century on Saturday. King’s performance of small jobs so pleased Bardsley that he took the bat back to the hotel on Saturday. Cornelius is an orphan, and lives with his sister in Stepney. He went back to his East End home, saying that he felt, “as if he was walking on air.” In connection with the injury to Gregory’s shin, there is still some doubt whether he will be able to reproduce his best form. The trouble has only now being revealed, and caused the doctors the gravest concern. They declar© that It- was an act of heroism bn his part to continue bowling in the first test; he must have suffered agonies. Returning to the dressing room at the adjournment, he told the other players it was no use; 'he could bowl no more.

Immediately the match was abandoned he huriied to London and secured the best possible advice. The doctor’s views were so grave that, taken in conjunction with Everett’s sinovitis of the foot, the management seriously considered cabling for Scott or Blackie. fortunately Gregory’s injury yielded to treatment.

The Australians generally are satisfied with the day’s play. ‘ They consider it impossible to lose, and there is a possible chance of winning. Mr Bosanquet writes:—“The day's play may be summed up: Bardsley versus England. The remainder of the batsmen looked very ordinary. But for the left hander’s typical innings, the Australians might have been dismissed for an inadequate score, despite the ideal wicket. We have seldom seen a powerful batting side so dependent on one man. Unfortunately Bardsley was thrice missed. The bowler’s 1 attempts at dismissal were poorly supported. Root and Larwood justified their selection. Tate was unlucky. He may do something in the second innings. Carr handled The bowling well, not allowing the Australians to get the bowlers’ measure.”

Mr P. F. Warner, in the “Morning Post,” says Bardsley had some luck, but the chances he gave were very difficult. His innings must be described as a great one. Bardsley, however elow he may’ be, is always good te watch. His method is good in the extreme, and his defence splendid. His play on the leg side approaches perfection. He made many late cuts and drove past mid-off more than he usually does. The fielding was splendid. Carr captained England extremely well, and managed the bowling so ably that he kept the bowlers fresh to the end. He will undoubtedly be a fine captain.

Good judges of cricket are of opinion that without running risk rhe Australians could have put on another 100 in the time available. The BardsleyRyder partnership made observers conclude the Australian object was to become dead safe from defeat before trying to win. This is not the best way of achieving actual victory in a three dav Test.

Newspapers generally attack the Australians failure to force the game in the last hour. Strudwick’s wicket-keeping is also criticised.

The “Despatch” points our that Brown of Hampshire might advantageously be substituted, so strengthening the batting,, and allow the selectors to include another bowler regardless of his ability to make runs.

RESUMPTION OF PLAY. LONDON-, June 28. The weather was fine and warm—the first spell of summer-like weather of the tour. The wicket was good. Au extraordinary occuiTence was discovered by the groundsman arriving at Lords at four in the morning. He found the hose-pipe had been turned on, and a patch 15 yards in diameter, about 20 yards from the pitch was saturated, requiring treatment with sawdust. He further found the water had run down over ’lie wicket and loft a soft spot in the middle of the pitch. A heavy roller was applied prior to the resumption of play on what should have been a plumb wicket. The bowling ends were not affected, but a strip two jards wide crossed the pitch right in the centre. The attention to the pitch resulted in the start being leu minutes late. In the third over, Carr appealed to the umpire as to the condition of the ball, and the appeal was upheld and another ball more or less equally worn was used f- the same over Bardsley received a nasty blow on the fingers from Larwood, necessitating retirement for doctor's attention, causing the second interruption. Kilner replaced Tate at 353. Kilner’s off his 2nd ball missed an easy return from Bardsley, who was 177, the ball going through his hands overhead. Next-over Bardsley scored his first boundary of the day. Oldfield quick on his feet and gathered attrac r tive leg singles before he opened put to Tate, square cutting him for three and then sending him to leg boundary. Kilner was not difficult. Tn one over he was finely cut by Bardsley for three. Then O'dfieid cut him to the boundary. The next ball slipped out of Kilner’s hand, and flew above Oldfield’s head. Nevertheless, Oldfield inexplicably hit the ball and gave Sutcliffe the easiest catch. Nine for 379. The next over off Kilner gave Mai'ey a single and

Bardsley three, but the third ball had Malley leg before. The innings fasted 398 minutes. Kilner’s’ average for the morning was 2 for 21. Bardsley was given an ovation on coming out. He was somewhat shak.. in the morning, and his luck was in and he had a number of lives but he gave a superb, exhibition, the bulk of his scoring strokes being through the slips and to leg. He bit thirteen fours.

In only two previous tests has the bat been parried through, namely Barrett 67 at Lords in 1890, and Abel, 132 in'Sydney in 1891.