FIRST TEST MATCH.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17574, 1 December 1928, Page 8

FIRST TEST MATCH.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. VISITORS AT THE WICKETS. 272 FOR FIVE WICKETS. (Australian Press Association .) BRISBANE, Nov. 30. The first test cricket match, England v Australia, was commenced to-day at Brisbane. At the outset there were 20,000 spectators and later they numbered 25,000. The Australian captain, Ryder, spun a coin at ii. 37 a.m., and Chapman won the toss for England- Many officials and players with cameras faced the two captains. The wicket had a bleached appearance and proved hard and fast. The outfield was very fast. Forty journalists were present including: Fender (England) and Macartney, Mailey, Clem Hill and Armstrong as special correspondents. The matcn was begun at 12.4 p.m. Hobbs opened England's first innings with Sutcliffe. The game was without incident until a few minutes before luncheon when, off a short-pitched ball from Gregory, Sutcliffe was caught brilliantly by Ponsford at deep leg. He and Hobbs had made 85 runs in as many minutes. The Australian fielding at this stage was moderate. Grimmett's bowling was collared as the wicket was unsuitable for slow bowlers. Gregory's fast deliveries rose high. A strong off field was placed for Kelleway's bowling and for Gregory's, the traditional slips. Many Singles Scored. The many singles comprised the outstanding feature of the Hobbs-Sut-cliffe partnership. it was unattractive because of the over-cautious display by these batsmen. Ironmonger's bowling kept the batsmen steady. When Hobbs was trying for a third run off a stroke by Mead, Bradman returned the ball to Oldfield behind the stumps from the off and Hobbs was run out. His 49 and taken 95 minutes to compile. He had hit six foursJardine provoked cheers for his graceful batting and his artistic strokes. Ironmonger, who is a left-hander, was treated cautiously by the batsmen. He has a medium pace and his bowling has an excellent length with a break and a spin. The field was placed on the off side in a semi-circle for him. The 150 took the Englishment 163 minutes to compile. Kelleway was bowling consistently throughout. He sent down It overs for 18 runs. Between luncheon and tea the game was deadly dull and the spectators became impatient with the monotonous exhibition. The baLsmen were not enterprising and allowed all loose balls Lo pass them. Oldfield failed bady to stump Hammond off Grimmelt when that batsman had made 38. Three wickets were down for 100 at the tea adjournmentSoon after tea Hammond gave an easy catch to Woodfull at point. His 44 had taken 95 minutes to compile and he had hit two fours, an indication of the stale cricket, which was not marked by one bright stroke. Jardine Somnolent. Jardine promised well with his opening strokes, but he appeared to become somnolent. Hendren joined Jardine and livened matters up for a brief interval. Constant changes were made by transferring the bowlers from cue end to the other, not more than six overs being bowled by each in succession. Hendren made 21, while Jardine scored sbven. The 200 took 226 minutes to make. Jardine was then 29 and Hendren 28. Chapman had a wonderful reception when he followed Jardine, who had taken 123 minutes to score 35. Gregory's bowling gave Chapman trouble. His pace occasionally was terrific, with the ball rising fast. The light was treacherous at 5.15 p.m., and the shadow of the grandstand crossed the wicket. Two successive fours were hit by Chapman, after Hendren had given a fine display, and these were loudly cheered. Subsequently both batsmen gave a fine exhibition, scoring at a good rate and on all sides of the wicket. They were still together when stumps were drawn. Summed up, the game was not spectacular, but it was sound cricket, and the Australian bowling was well managed. The field was rather skilfully placed. The batsmen were careful, but played according to strict rules. There was no outstanding brilliance, individually, in the field. All showed an even standard in every department. Details of the scores are: — ENGLAND. —First Innings. Hobbs, run out 49

four wickets were: One for 85, two for 95, three for 108, and four for 161. MI—HI

COMMENT IN ENGLAND. CHAPMAN BADGERED. DOUBTS AS TO THE WICKET. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The news that Chapman had won the toss in the first test match at Brisbane was received in London at 1.45 a.m. to-day. The Daily Express publishes a cablegram from Ben Travers to the effect that English mail had arrived at Brisbane and contained one solitary letter for Chapman. This was from the income tax authorities demanding an increase in his assessment. Travers comments that for the Home Government to badger Chapman and at the same time expect him to win the toss must be. about the brightest thought that ever occurred to an official mind. Clem Hill, in a cablegram to the Daily Telegraph, says be doubts whether the wicket will last out four days. He says it is interesting to see 'Continued in next ooiuma.»

how Ryder arranges his team. It is most important who shall field at cover point and who is in the slips when Gregory is bowling. Hill adds that it will be pleasing to watch a match played strictly under M.C.C. conditions with no covering of the wicket after the start and a six instead of an eight balls over, as adopted by the Australian Board of Control. Why this was ever brought about he does not know, he says, for he never met a batsman, bowler or fieldsman who said he favoured it. REPRESENTATIVE GAMES, MATCHES WITH WAIPA. The Taumarunui Association, having received two prior challenges, are unable to meet the Waikato Association in a South Auckland Shield match, as originally suggested. At a special meeting of (he Waikato Association last evening it was decided to play the Waipa representatives at Hamilton on that date, and to send .1 Colts' team to Te Awamutu on the *ame day to meet the Waipa B tearn^

butcliffe, c Ponsford, b Gregory . 38 Mead, lbw, b Grimmett 8 Hammond, c Woodfull, b Gregory 44 Jardine, c Woodfull, b Ironmonger 35 52 39 7 Total for 5 wickets ...... 272 Bowling Analysis.

0. M. P. W. Gregory 21 2 68 9 Kelleway 22 5 ■it 0 Grimmctt 25 1 93 1 Ironmonger . 25 11 40 i Ryder 6 2 23 0 The scores at the fall of the first