BRILLIANT BATTING

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19315, 23 July 1934, Page 7

BRILLIANT BATTING

BRADMAN 4 PONSFORDj i I AUSTRALIA 494 FOR FOUR. TWO RECORDS SHATTERED. ENGLISH BOWLING DOMINATED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyrlffti; LONDON, July 21. There -were more sensations at Leeds on the second day’s play ol' the Fourth Test match to-day. Australia, owing to the brilliant batting of Bradman and Ponsford. making a great recovery and finishing in a strong position. When the game was resumed today Australia, in reply to England s . first innings score of 200 had lost Xthree wickets for 39 runs. Ponsford and Bradman dominated the English bowling to-day and the pair added 388 a record for a Test partnership. When stumps \\ere drawn ' Australia had scored 494 Tor the loss of four wickets.. Bradman Starts Well. There was a lively crowd of 33,000 spectators, and brilliant sunshine’relieved the drabness of the ground, an achievement to which Bradman quickly added an inimitable share. He straight-drove and on-drove to the boundary the remaining two balls of Bowes’ deadly over-night over. Bradman revealed delightfully crisp and sure form. He played the good balls carefully, but was merciless with loose stuff. He powerfully hooked i Kltchell to the boundary. Ponsford was quieter, but a model of soundness. The wicket was slightly faster than on the previous day and still good and true. Bowes disturbed Ponsford twice with “bumpers," hut Bradman banged one furiously for four. Seven Consecutive Maidens. The accuracy of Verity’s bowling produced seven consecutive maidens though the batsmen appeared untroubled. Hammond also induced sober batting after Bradman’s early rapid scoring. The partnership yielded 50 in 05 minutes In spite of the fact that the batsmen added only five runs in 10 overs. It was a most un-Bradman-like performance to play maiden after maiden on a perfect wicket. However, Bradman and Ponsford seemed to be Intent upon breaking the bowlers’ hearts by attrition. NeverJ. tbeless, Ponsford, by cutting and ] glancing Verity' to the boundary pro■.duced tho 100,in 120 minutes. Ponsford’s 50 was reached soon after by again glancing Verity to the fence. This seemed to be the signal to open up, for runs immediately flowed again on their normal course', Bradman twice in succession driving Hammond to tho fence.

England’s Total Is Passed. Bradman reached his 50 in 90 minutes. Then he overhauled Ponsford in .spite of the latter’s 45 minutes’ start. The batting hitherto had been good and patient rather than attractive, and tiie bowling little beyond accurate. The batsmen’s early restraint was fully understood by the crowd. When Ponsford had made 70 lie was dropped by Mitchell in the covers, the batsman having tried to hit a “bumper" from Bowes. It was the first chance in his innings. At the luncheon interval the partnership had added 129 in 145 minutes. England’s total was ’passed in 220 minutes. 1 ♦ Brilliant fielding in which Wyatt and Verity were conspicuous, imposed a steadying effect. Bradman’slOO occupied 185 minutes and Ponsford’s 250 minutes. The partnership realised 200 in 210 minutes.. The mounting score incited neither batsman to recklessness, but runs came steadily. Tire fielding was still more inspired than the bowling, the weakness of which was confessed when Leyland was called on at 258. Ponsford twice hit Leyland to the boundary, temporarily overtaking Bradman. Then Bradman off-drove Hopwood for four and broke his own I and Jackson’s test record for a fourth wicket stand of 243 in 1930. Bradman then loosened the rein on himself and square-cut Mitchell to the boundary, producing 300 in 295 minutes. Then he tackled Bowes and reached his 150 in 255 minutes. Highest Partnership In a Test. While Ponsford plodded along, Bradman began to treat tlie bowlers—whose accuracy was .faltering—witii disdain. Tliero were 40.000 spectators after tea, a record for Leeds. Ponsford, who had already made his highest score in a test, continued to bat strongly, and \ reached liis 150 in 335 minutes. The partnership had added 300 in 275 minutes. After breaking tlie record for the highest partnership in test match history (that of Hobbs and Rhodes in Melbourne in 1912, namely 323), Bradman reached liis 200 in 295 minutes. Ponsford at 15i was missed off Verity. Wyatt, at silly point, narrowly failed to achieve what would have been a brilliant catch. In spite of llic excellence of Ihe Holding runs came with absurd ease without loss of soundness. Even Ihe usually accurate Verity cracked under the strain. Ponsford’s Flno Innings Ended. Tiie 400 appeared on Ihe board after 360 minutes’ play, 7 1 having been added in 45 minules after tea. Ponsford at. 178 was again dropped off Verity, Svvail at silly point failing to hold a hard-hit stroke. When Ihe partnership had realised 388, Ponsford on-drove Verily hard to the boundary, but touched his wicket with his heel in' making Ihe stroke and just dislodging a bail. lln hail batted 375 minutes and given a great display, lie gave three dillleult chances. He hiL 2 1 lours, i'27—i — 181. McCabe joined Bradman and opened by twice glancing Verity to tho fence. Bradman continued to score steadily without relaxation of vigilance. When the weary howlers, as occasionally happened, sent down a good ball. Bradman showed he was still fresh.

Eradman’s Masterly Batting. Pulling Verity for a splendid six—tho first of the match —and hooking Hopwood to the fence, Bradman reached his 250 in 355 minutes. McCabe did not attempt too much but allowed Bradman to make the best use of the bowling, which was in the last stages of weariness.

Off the next over from Hopwoo.d Bradman scored 15, Including a powerful, swinging six. At the end of the day’s play Bradman had hit two sixes and 39 fours, and had batted 370 minutes. Four policemen ' protected Bradman from his admirers as he ran to the dressing-room. The innings so far has lasted 415 minutes. Details of the scores: — ENGLAND. —First Innings. Walters, o and b Chipperfleld ... 44 Keeton, c Oidfleld, b O’Reilly ... 25 Hammond, b Wall 37 Hendren, b Chipperfleld 29 Wyatt, stp. Oldfield, b Grimmett 19 Leyland, lbw, b OLReilly 16 Ames, c Oidfleld, b Grimmett ... 9 Hopwood, lbw, b O'Reilly 8 Verity, not out - - - Mitchell, stp. Oidfleld, b Grimmett' 9 Bowes, e Ponsford b Grimmett . 0 Extras ~ Total 200 Fall of Wickets: One for 43, two for 85, three for 135, four for 135, five for ICB, six for 170, seven for 189, eight for 189, nine for 200. Bowling.

Total for four wickets 494 Fall of wickets: one for 37, two for 39, three for 39, four for 427,

HISTORY REPEATED. BRADMAN'S'WONDERFUL EFFORT. AUSTRALIA’S SOUND POSITION. COMMENT BY CRITICS. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received July 23, 10.18 a.m.) LONDON. July 22. Commenting on the Test I tic Australian Press Association's representative says: ’’ History repeated itself at Uendiiiglcy when Bradman again made a description of Hie match a task for a statistician. Ponsford and Bradman, respectively, past and present record breakers, combined to place Australia hi a position suggesting that only rain, which foiled Australia in 1930, can'save England from paying the penally for their halting collapse, followed by their display of innocuous bowling.

u was a peeiiliaiiy unfortunate end lo a great innings that, in leaning hack in forcing Verily to the on boundary, Ponsford should have just dislodged the bail. To dale Bradman's two innings at Leeds have yielded 605 runs.

“ ]t. is n tribute lo Ames that only one bye lias been allowed and also a tribute lo the solidity of the batsmen, who allowed so few balls to get past the wicket. The newspapers wholeheartedly praise the performances of Bradman ai:d 'Ponsford. The broadcaster from Leeds said that although it had been a had day for England it had been a glorious day for cricket. After tiie Record. The nbserver says: " Bradman gave every indication of his intent of healing his 1930 record score of 33i and il, seems possible that he will do so."

H. 11. .I.inline says: “England's chances •/ winning are non-existent. The question is can the game he saved. II does not look a promising proposition unless Ihe weather intervenes. The blunder of entering tiie Held with only one fast, bowler should tune been potent lo the selectors after the Nottingham Test."

Team Before Records. The Australian Press Association representative adds that Bradman was far more “ human ’’ than when, in splendid isolation, he his corresponding Leeds success in 1930. He dined last night with a large party of team mates and friends, and indulged in the rare luxury of a sip of champagne and a cigarette. Bradman is anxious to beat his individual record, but as the occasion obviously demands quick scoring tomorrow, even at Ihe risk of loss of all the remaining wickets in order to force a victory, it may confidently be stated that lie will put his side before records. Bradman’s Wonderful Effort. Mr P. Warner in tiie Daily Telegraph says: “Bradman’s exhibition of forcing, back play, off driving and hooking was never surpassed by Trumpet’, •Macartney Ranjisinghji, Hobbs or Hammond. Jack Hobbs praises Bradman for “ playing safe ” and putting aside personal accomplishment, lie says he gave absolutely nothing away. Too many of his innings recently had been merely slinging the bat, but there was nothing of that on Saturday. Agitation for Larwood. Already the newspapers are launching a campaign for the inclusion of Larwood in England’s final test team. The Dispatch states that informal talks included Larwood’s meeting with the Notts committee, Notts officials conferring with Marylebone, also conversations between Lancashire and Notts, which resulted in the leg theorj controversy being finally buried. Larwood’s articles have cleared the air and it should be possible now’ for him to take his rightful place as England’s first bowler, says the paper. A report is current in .Manchester to the effect that Larwood has written to Hie test selectors withdrawing his objection to playing against tiie Australians. Larwood, questioned by a representative of the Sunday Times, said he was not saying anything about anything. According to the Sketch unofficial approaches have been made to Larwood regarding playing in the final test, but the paper emphasises that the opposition against Larwood’s reinstatement is so strong that he is not likely to play any more test cricket. Australia’s Great Day. The newspapers agree that Saturday was a great day for Australia. The Sunday Chronicle says that England’s Test humiliation was complete and adds that Bradman is an enigma in Test cricket. Ponsford is Australia’s soundest batsman. Lord Tennyson in tiie News of the World, says that Bradman’s and Ponsford’s batting compared with England’s wss as champagne is to water. Mr Cecil Parkin, in the Empire News, says: “The question is not how to get the Australians out, hut how to get Larwood in. I know he will play in the fifth Test match if he apologises to Marylebone, which will be delighted to forgive and forget.

ENGLAND IN BAD WAY. NO HELP FROM WEATHER. OR THROAT EPIDEMIC. United Press Assn. —Elec. Teh Copyright. (Received July 23, 1.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. _ The Sketch says: “England is in a bad way. There is no sign of rain at Leeds and no news of another Wimbledon throat epidemic breaking out in the Australian camp.” WEATHER PROSPECTS. NO INDICATION OF RAIN. United Press Assn.—Klee. Tel Cr.nvrlKht (Received July 23, 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 22. The weather forecast for the Midlands is for fair weather, perhaps cooler. There is no mention of the possibility of rain. v WILL LARWOOD PLAY? A PERSISTENT STATEMENT. DENIAL IGNORED. United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received July 23, 1 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 22. Disregarding the denial of Sir Stanley Jackson, chairman of the Marylebone Selection Committee, Mr Wignall in the Daily Express who is the instigator of the campaign for the reappearance of Larwood, states that there lias been secret diplomacy during Hie week-end. As the result Larwood probably will communicate with Sir Stanley Jackson apd consequently will be invited to play in the fifth test.

GOING TO ENGLAND. A. F. KIPPAX’S WIFE. INTEREST IN TRIP. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, July 22. In view of Hie attitude of the Board of Control on the question of cricketers’ wives accompanying their husbands on Hie tour of England great interest was taken in Hie departure of Mrs Kippax by the Orsova yesterday. “ All I can lel I you is that I am going on a health trip,” she said. “ Your name is on Hie ship's list as bound for London," Mrs Kippax was informed. " I cannot gel killed for that,” she re plied. interviewed in Adelaide, Mr .leanes, secretary of Ihe Hoard of Control, said: "No application was made by Kippax for permission for bis wife to go to England."

MEETING ON CONTINENT. MANAGER'S STATEMENT. LONDON, July 22. The manager of tho Australian cricketers, Mr H. Bushby, stales that (Continued In next column.)

Mrs Kippax will not arrive in England until alter Ihe departure uf tin* team ,m Sepiembi’r 29 and will not travel back to Australia by the same steamer ns the team. Kippax will leave for Australia either from Toulon or Naples. •Mr Bushby said lie had [milling lo mv with reference to Kippax meeting bis wife on Ihe Continent.

0. M. R. W. Wall 18 1 57 1 McCabe 4 2 3 0 Grimmett 34. 4 11 57 4 O’Reilly 35 1G 4G 8 Chippcrileld 18 6 35 2 AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Ponsforcl, hit wicket, b Verity . . 181 Brown, b Bowes Oldfield, c Ames, b Bowes 0 Woodfull, b Bowes 0 Bradman, not out . . 271 McCabe, not o'ut . . 18 Extras 9

Bowling. 0. M. n. \V. Bowes . 35 8 90 3 Hammond 2 2 5 56 0 Mitchell ... . 23 1 117 0 Verity . .•• . 30 11 100 1 Hopwood . 30 7 93 0 Leylancl 5 0 20 0 The extras Included eight legbyes.