AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN. H. L. COLLINS (N.S.W.) Capt.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16810, 31 May 1926, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN ELEVEN.

H. L. COLLINS (N.S.W.) Capt.

MIDDLESEX WATCH. , VISITORS GOOD STAND. LONDON, May 20. 'Die Australian cricketers this morning commenced a match againsl Middlesex at Lord's. The weather was line and warm and a. cool breeze was blowing. The attendance numbered 30,000. The wicket was hard. Ccilins won the loss and olec-ted lo ha!. Bardsley and Woodful! went in first. Mailcy, Richardson, I'onsford, Ellis and Hendry stood out <<: the Australian learn. Haig and Durston were Ihe opening bowlers. The start, was slow owing not only lo natural care 'on the part of the batsmen, but lo the fact that Durston was bowling short balls which were rising dangerously. Bardsley was safer than Woodfull. He followed the ball up more accurately and hit three excellent fours in the llrst quarter of an hour. Durston persisted in tempting him with long hops on the ofT side, but he persistently declined.

Runs came freely from Haig. Macartney opened brightly and scored quickly off Haig ami Tanner, whose length was uncertain. Allen made an excellent start with the ball. Jle bad Macartney guessing twice in his first over. Bolh batsmen obtained pretty boundaries past point. Macartney also scored from glances to Ihe leg. Stevens varied his attack, but the score mounted rapidly. The Celding generally was poor. However, Macartney was brilliantly held low at third slip by Tanner. lie had hit six fours. His innings was characterise! by good scoring shots all round the w-icket. Collins in a Cautious Mood.

When Collins and the vice-captain, Bardsley, became associated the scoring slowed down considerably, when he had made eight Collins gave a difficult chance to Tanner high in the air from Haig.

Collins obtained runs more easily than usual. Bardsley continued lo be attractive. He gained many runs in front of tile wicket and excelled in linding open spots.

Bardsley had a considerable slice of luck. He was out through trying to turn a ball from Hcarne to leg. His score included eight fours. The total was then 151 for ihrce wickets.

Andrews before he opened had a very lucky escape. He knocked up a ball between the howler and mid-on. Neither attempted to reach if. He then stepped out to Ihe bowling, cut well and hooked cleanly. Tanner, with his obvious break action, presented no difficulties. The bowling was changed frequently. Ij?.v--ston kept a good face hut his length was short. Collins declined ball after hall. Andrews when he had made 61 had an uncomfortable over from Haig. lie survived appeals for leg-before and stumping. Collins after 25 minutes without scoring got Durston away to the boundary with a leg-glance, which to-day was one of his few scoring strokes.

Andrews opened his shoulders and drove Haig to the on ap.d cut him nicely. He scored a. four, two ami a four off one over.

When Andrews nad made 80 he was clean bowled by a no-ball from Allen, Later he slopped out to another noball from the same bowler and was once more bowled. r.olh batsmen then began to hit more freely. They pulled Tanner spectacularly to the boundary. Andrews reached his century in 125 minutes. Collins when be was approaching his century was palienf and refused to take his opportunities. Then an excellent cut from Haig was mngnificie.ntly held by Tanner low down. Collins' bad bailed Tor 10." i minutes for Ills ft!l. lie hit seven fours'. The board now read 3iG for four wickets. Andrews continued to bat magnillcienl ly. He drove powerfully all round (he wicket and scored lfl fours in the afternoon. Main twice Interrupted play. Details of the score are:—■ AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. Bardsley, b Jlearne 70 YVoodfull, c Hendren, b Durston .'! Macartney, c Tanner, b Jlaig .. -i \ Collins, c Tanner, b Hah; ft!) Andrews, not out , .120 Taylor, not out ~,... „ 1 j Extras :<u I Total for four wickets.. 3r>7