FINAL TEST MATCH

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14603, 2 March 1921, Page 5

FINAL TEST MATCH

A NINE-WICKET WIN AN UNINTERESTING FINISH. CAUTIOUS BATSMEN. (United Press Association.) Received March 1, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, March 1. The Inst chapter of the fifth test match was spiritless and uninterestingWith fiß required to win and all wickets intact, the result was a foregone conclusion, though heavier rain overnight might easily have found Australia scratching for runs on a sticky wicket.

The outfield was heavy as a result of Hie rain, and the wicket damp, but not troublesome, excepting to the howlers, who required sawdust to ensure a secure foothold.

Woolley and Parkin opened the attack, both batsmen adopting astonishingly cautious methods to the surprise of the few hundred spectators. The first 50 was registered in 54 minutes, Eardsley’s quota being two to one of Rhodes. Wilson then endeavoured to effect a separation, but the • batsmen watched the ball as carefully as if the a 1 lies hung in the balance. With five runs tc. win, and two short for his half-cen-tury, Bardsley hit Wilson to square leg for a brace after 92 minutes’ play. Both tatsmen pottered about for three overs, endeavouring to register the necessary runs, until Coli ns snicked Wilson into Slrudwick’s ha i Is for 37, made in 100 rrdnutes. Macartney scored two singles, one each from Wilson and Rhodes, and Australia won by nine wickets, having lost one wicket for 93 Tuns. . The scores were: — ENGLAND. First Innings 204 Second Innings 280 Grand total 484 AUSTRALIA. First Innings 392 Second Innings. Collins, c Strudwick, b Wilson .. 87 Bardsley, not out ' 50 Macartney, not out 2 Extras . . 4 Total for one wicket 9) Grand total 485 Bowling: Wilson took one wicket for S runs, Rhodes none for 20, Woolley none for 27, Parkin none for 32, Fender none for 2 (one no ball). A “TESTY” MATCH. FURTHER PRESS COMMENTS. . LONDON, February 28. Wilson’s cable to the Daily Express merely says that when Wilson was stumped he had a memorable reception, even the members hooting him. Hobbs had a wonderful welcome with three cheers, both when Walking out and walking in. “A Probable Explanation.” The Daily Express, in a leader entitled “A Testy Match,” says;—“Good' sportsmen will regret the scenes which marred the final test match—firstly, k section of the crowd jeered at Hobbs for slow movement, due, as all must know, to an injury, and when Wilson made a criticism o.f this conduct the crowd retorted by subjecting him and Fender to violent barracking. The whole thing is wretched, and the explanation probably is that the attack upon Wilson was to mask a sense of shame, which the crowd would not confess. The ovation to Hobbs in the second innings bears this interpretation. It is important that the Marylebone and Australian Boards should concert measures against a display of temper. We were well and deservedly- beaten, and it is a thousand pities that our sincere congratulations to the winners should be mixed with any bitterness. If test matches are to continue, and if cricket is to keep its place as a clean, wholesome game, the decencies of sportsmanship must be preserved all over the ground, and not only in the inside boundaries. Australians Criticised. The Daily News says it was unfortunate that the last test match, which nothing but a miracle can prevent ending in the complete discomfiture of the Englishmen, should be accompanied by an exhibition of ill-feeling towards members of the English team. Fender and Wilson have once or twice mildly criticised, by implication, the umpires’ decisions; also slated that the spectators rather senselessly barracked Hobbs, who was lame, and in pain, for inactivity in fielding, and Australian cricket in public, while not exactly fastidious in its, own attitude, seems surprisingly sensitive when a little plain speaking is directed against itself or its favourites. We do not think that Fender has been unfair or one-sided in his criticism: he bestowed ample praise on (lie Australians, and besides there is no rancour in his remarks upon the umpires’ decisions. They were honest; «and such as appeal to the daily English press during the season. One would have imagined that even Australian papers would occasionally allow themselves the liberty of saying that the umpire made a mistake. The barracking of Hobbs Is in another category. It Was impossible for FericUr "and Wilson to make such a complaint if it was not justified, and moreover, at least one Australian paper admits that there was some jeering. Wo need not take such in-C cidents too seriously. The Australian barrackcrs are usually good humoured and impartial in their banter, and the crowd must not he judged by the less sporling elements. The Australians won fairly and squarely, because they were the better side. A Different perspective. Apart from the Daily News and Daily Express, which support their correspondents, Fender and Wilson, i the morning newspapers give little prominence to the Sydney barracking. In several cases the regular local correspondents view events in a different perspective to the Daily News and Daily Express. Several, including Sporting-Life, and The Sportmaji, urge the Marylebone Club to forbid cricketers commenting on their own games. The latter suggests that the Marylebone Club and the Board of Control should hold an inquiry when both teams arrive in England. Fender, cabling to the Daily News, says there were extraordinary scenes. Frequently one section of spectators barracked hard, while the remainder, who were the larger part, provided a sympathetic demonstration, though even a certain section of the members barracked Wilson when out. Hobbs had a great, ovation, as also had Douglas.

The Daily Chronicle does not refer to the scenes editorially, but alludes to Fender and Wilson in their news columns a,s amateur .journalists. Mr Warner said; “I feel it very much. After all, such incidents, however regrettable, are trifling compared with the glorious history of AngloAustralian cricket.” Me said lie always found the Australian crowds the host, of sportsmen, and they invariably pave English players a most hospitable ami affectionate welcome. He concluded:

“You can rest assured that the Australian team will be most cordially welcomed in England, and auv misunderstand intr T “cgottcn.”