TOTAL OF 187

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20125, 22 February 1937, Page 8

TOTAL OF 187

ENGLISH CRICKETERS. MATCH WITH VICTORIA. RAIN STOPS PLAY. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. MELBOURNE, Feb. 21. The cricket match England versus Victoria was continued yesterday at Melbourne. Rain and bad light stopped play at 3.45 p.m., and the game was abandoned for the day at 4.50 p.m. When stumps were drawn on Friday England in the first innings had lost eight wickets for 169 runs. Yesterday the innings closed for 187 and Victoria had scored 144 for two wickets when play ceased. Details of the scores are:— ENGLAND—First Innings. Verity, c Pearson, b Nash .... 1 Barnett, c Pearson, b McCormick 1 Hardstaff, c Pearson, b Nash ... 14 Hammond, b Ebeling 14 Leyland, c Ledward, b Sievers . 19 Wyatt, c Barnett, b McCormick 1 Ames, b McCormick 64 Robins, c Nash, b Pearson .... 33 Sims, c Ledward, b Ebeling ... 16 Voce, b Sievers 15 Copson, not out 2 Extras 7 Total 187. Bowling.—McCormick took three wickets for 35 runs, Nash two for 21, Ebeling two for 20, Sievers two for 36, Pearson one for 40, Gregory none for 28. VICTORIA—First Innings Bigg, lbw, b Sims 18 Lee, run out 40 Gregory, not out 53 Hasset, not out 28 Extras 5 Total for two wickets .... 144 RAIN AFFECTS WICKET. PLAY POSTPONED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Feb. 22, 3.10 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Feb. 22. The Melbourne Cricket Ground was soaked by heavy fain this morning and although the wicket was covered it was decided that there would be no play this morning.

A MEAGRE SCORE.

COMMENT BY J. B. HOBBS.

NO EXCUSE FOR POOR BATTING

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright

(By J. B. Hobbs.—Copyright in all countries. Reproduction in whole or part forbidden.)

MELBOURNE. Feb. 21

Another hot day was experienced yesterday at Melbourne and although a strong breeze \Vas blowing the conditions were sultry. The new stand, which stretches half-way round the ground, has a snowy white roof which produces a glare. The wicket had nothing like Friday’s life and there was no new ball to contend with, but McCormick had plenty of pace. He and Sievers took one wicket each to dispose of the remaining men for the addition of 18 runs, in 23 minutes. Ames was playing so well again that I was surprised to see him go. He was trying to push past point a good length ball that did nothing and he played across the flight. There was a comic interlude when Voce tried to hit a full-pitch from Sievers for six. He sliced it high in the air and Pearson and the bowler both went for a catch. It was left to Pearson and I was not surprised to see him put it down. Voce, considering himself a better batsman than Copson, refused a long run off the last ball of an over and was bowled next ball. So England was all out for 187, a meagre score. Poor Batting. Though the batting was poor I can find little excuse in the fact that the wicket was livelier than usual. In addition to the casual attitude of the batsmen mentioned on Friday, they would not take,the risk of getting hurt by fast-rising balls so near the test match. The boundary was very close on one side and when Voce went on the Victorian batsman Lee, a left-hander, nearly cut the second ball for a six—a risky shot that might easily have been a catch by deep third man. Eight runs were scored off Sims in his first six deliveries, but at the seventh, his googly coming quickly off pitch, sent Rigg out leg-before. This brought Gregory and Lee together at 37. It looked as if they might make another stand like their 262 against England in the first match at Melbourne in spite of a chance given by Gregory to Copson in the gully off Voce when at 24. They added 64 runs and had just hoisted the 100 when Lee was unfortunate to be run out owing to a mix-up. Should Become Great. Lee contributed a useful 40. He is a good player, though I should not call him attractive to watch. The same might be said about Gregory, but he Is very young and should become great. He watches the ball well but seems to be nervous of going all out for a stroke, unless it is the hook, which he does expertly. Hasselt was lucky to receive a fulltoss with which he got off the mark with a square drive for four, llasselt led the Australian averages for a long time and it was only recently that Bradman went in front of him. He made 28 quickly before the rain came, lie is a beautifully free player, with ;m attractive style, and stands well up .it the wicket. All his strokes are executed with ease and elegance. He demonstrated a splendid cut, getting well over the ball and giving himself room to bring his free wrists into play In addition he plays a delightful j straight bat. This was my first view of Bassett, j it was only for half an hour, but I j can understand why he has scored so

many runs. He is sure to represent Australia in the near future. Holding Back for Test. In the last two matches the English batsmen gave the impression of not j taking things too seriously. To-day’s | policy Seemed to be to keep the reguj lar bowlers fresh for the test match. Alien and Fames are resting and Voce did not unleash himself, not even opening the bowling, Copson and Hammond doing that. | Voce might have dismissed Gregory twice with good-length balls just out|side the off-stump, which edged, but igenerally the bowling did not look deadly and the batsmen were never in difficulties. After three appeals against the light within a few deliveries, play ceased at 3.4 5 p.m. Rain fell immediately and the wicket was completely covered. GREGORY’S INNINGS. VERY SOUND DEFENCE. BASSETT'S FINE DISPLAY. UnltPri P;-ss Aeon. (Received Feb. 22, 3.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 22. The Herald’s cricket writer commenting on I lie match between England and Victoria says that Gregory’s play lacked some of the dash of his century innings'against England in the first Virlorian match but 1 1 is defence was wonderfully sound, lie appeared I to aim at developing bis stroke play I and be was more versatile than in his previous innings. A satisfactory feature was that he was not content to plyy back hut left j his crease, using his feet to Verily who { had his field spread lo stop Hie hard i drives. Most Attractive Innings. ! l.eo also balled well bid the most ; attractive innings of the match so far was played by (lie consistent 22-year-old right-bander Hassell, who in bis first appearance against Hie Englishmen impressed them by bis artistry and confidence. The English allack was varied bill lacked sling. Robins , was careful not lo overwork the Test, j bowlers, especially Voce.