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New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1243, 12 February 1914, Page 24

(Continued from page 21.) withal did not take any risks. His driving was clean and hard. Tattersail .(22) opened in a very cautious manner, evidently bent on keeping up ins wicket in true Kelleway styie. When Mailey took up the bpwling at the southern end Tattersail was immediately in difficulty, being clean bowied with an off-break. The Tattersall-McCormick partnership producer 55 runs, both batsmen playmg in a very stubborn manner for an hour. Clarke, the fast bowler, joined McCormick, but had just registered a boundary when he was snapped at the wickets by McGregor. AUCKLAND’S SECOND INNINGS. The Auckland second innings began a few minutes after twelve, but it was early apparent that run-getting would be difficult, the Australians giving evidence of their skill in both departments, bowling and fielding. Hemus opened with McCormick, but the Grafton stonewaller failed to stop a fine leg-break from Armstrong, which found the sticks: I—l1 —1 —O. Snedden joined Hemus, but the big Victorian international puzzled both batsmen with variations of pace, flight and length. On two occasions Snedden was appealed against for 1.b.w., but the Australian umpire decided each time against the bowler. Both batsmen steadily became more confident, and rune 'came freely, especially off Laver, With the total at 37 Hemus was unfortunately run out through a-fine return -by Waddy at third man. The general opinion was that Hemus could have secured the verdict in his favour had he run his bat out: 37 —2—17. BrookeSmith partnered Snedden, and both batsmen were kept mainly on the defensive by Armstrong and Noble, who

at this stage replaced Laver. As it was found necessary to work Noble from the opposite end he gave place to Mailey, and later relieved Armstrong, who in turn idieved Mailey. Both batsmen continued to play careful cricket, and seemed quite content with an occasional boundary. With the total at 73 for 2 an adjournment was made for lunch. After the adjournment Brooke-Smith took his total to 22 by clean, crisp plav, when he was given out l.b.w. to Armstrong: 90—2—22. From this on wickets fell, rapidly. McKenzie was keeping a" fine" length and turning from leg very smartly. ■- With two runs added, McKenzie beat Snedden with a fine leg-break, which kept somewhat low: 92 —4 —42. Somervell and Horspool then became associated, but Horspool, before he scored, played the ball on: 104 —s—o.5 —0. Somervell at this stage had collected ten, two boundaries and a two off Armstrong. Taylor filled the vacancy, and claimed five off Armstrong’s over. At this stage McKenzie was doing fine work with the ball, Somervell not being able to negotiate him. At 119 Somervell was clean howled by the young Victorian: 119—6 —17. Three runs later Taylor fell a victim to McKenzie: 122 —7 —15. Brook and Smeeton raised the hopes of the Auckland supporters, both showing considerable freedom. Brook, when going in fine style, was well taken at point off Noble, while Smeeton had hard luck in playing one from Noble on to his wicket. Clarke partnered Tattersail, but Armstrong upset his timbers with a good length leg-break, the innings closing at four o’clock for 186.

The Australian bowling was much more accurate and contained far more sting than on the first day, no doubt the want of practice telling somewhat on the opening day. Armstrong demonstrated what a great bowler he was by the manner in which he tied up our best batsmen. His perfect command over the ball and his length and creak compelled respect at all times. McKenzie, on Monday’s form, will get many wickets on our New Zealand fields, and should make a reputation for himself. Noble gave evidence that he is by no means a back number in the bowling department, and seems to still have complete control over his length and the art of swerve. rhe Auckland batting was on the wnoie sounder than in tne previous innings, and it was not quite such a ■ oiie-man effort.” The batsmen exniLiLed much more confidence and showed that they were capable of registering fair totals against improved cowling. A pleasing feature of the second innings was the success of Smeeton, who gave a good exhibition in his total of 28. AUSTRALIAN BATTING. Though Dolling’s display on the opening day was marred by a chance to Smeeton in the outfield, he resumed on Saturday with very sound defensive strokes, giving one the impression that were he to adopt defensive instead of aggressive tactics he would prove most difficult to displace. That he is a very aggressive bat was evident during the compilation of his score of 40, his offdrives being a treat to witness. The batsman smite clean and hard, much power being put into his strokes, both the long-on and long-off boundary being frequently visited, the result of judicious placing. Particularly clever

was he at securing nicely-run singles off Clarke’s fast and often shortpitched deliveries. It was in smiting a full-toss from Brooke-Smith high towards the leg boundary that Brook brought off a good running catch, thus closing Boiling's innings. Dolling displayed quite a variety of strokes. Though drives predominated, a good late cut and pretty leg glance were very effective. McKenzie, who partnered Dolling for the first-wicket partnership, failed to give evidence of the defence possessed by Dolling, yet was of the aggressive type. Like Dolling, he scored singles freely oft Clarke, and the well-timed running between wickets on the part of this pair of batsmen was worth witnessing. McKenzie got plenty of power into his strokes, but most of his off drives reached the safe hands of Taylor, who, at this stage, was fielding in good style. Clarke, by varying his pace, beat McKenzie badly, while an uppish stroke to long-off fell safe. In attempting to’ lift Snedden out of the ground, the bowler’s break beat Irm when his score stood at 34 and the total at 50, Collins, one of Australia’s most promising colts, created a most favourable impression, and it was unfortunate that his display was not witnessed by the after-luncheon assemblage. He joined Dolling on McKenzie’s dismissal, iand right from the start his batting was characterised by unlimited confidence. Collins gave probably the most forceful exhibition of the day, though his score stopped at 37. He has a particularly free style, making full use of body, arms, and bat in the execution of his

strokes, while his footwork is brilliant, his stepping out to* Taylor’s deliveries being very neat and effective. Collins appeared to put every ounce of power he possessed into his. strokes, his dr.ving being very sound. His partnership with Dolling put on 62 runs, and on his departure the board showed 122 for 3. Waddy, who ultimately ran up 130, in his opening strokes, did not give promise of such a score. Taylor had him thinking quite a deal, while he failed to get Brooke-Smith away, Snedden assisting the latter by some tine one-handed ground fielding. Waddy’s opening runs, when he settied down, were obtained chiefly from strong pulls to leg, the batsman getting Taylor away in that direction three times in succession, Taylor having lost his length completely. On Clarke’s relieving Taylor, Waddy continued his pulling tactics and scored freely, snicks to leg being very frequent at this stage. If Waddy scored freely before the luncheon adjournment, the pace did not slacken appreciably arter,, though Snedden kept him quiet for a while. Numerous bowling changes failed to aifect Waddy—Horspool, Hemus and Brooke-Smith relieving in turn. A good throw in by Brooke-Smith almost resulted in Waddy’s partner being run out, and the former’s end came when touching a fast leg ball from Somervell, Tattersall behind the wickets taking' a good catch on his left hand. 'Though not the most stylish bat in the eleven, Waddy showed himseif to be a capable run-gecter, making great use of his peculiar swinging stroke across the wicket. Armstrong joined Waddy before the luncheon adjournment, and finally finished at 128, being only two less than Waddy’s total. His appearance was welcomed with approval by the

spectators, and the latter were treated by him during the afternoon to a very correct if not brilliant display of batting. He opened quietly with easy well-timed drives to off and on, singles and occasional two’s resulting. Off Snedden’s bowling he secured runs from many crisp carpet drives, his placing being perfect, though Smeeton allowed more than one drive to beat him. Together, Armstrong and Waddy ran numbers of smart singles. So perfect was the understanding between both batsmen that the securing of such singles appeared very simple. Clarke did not suffer severely at Armstrong’s hands, but Hemus relieved Taylor and Horspool went on instead of Clarke. The Auckland skipper’s bfells went untouched, being too wide for the batsman, but Armstrong made up by scoring freely off Horspool. Further bowlingchanges saw Somervell, Brooke and Snedden come on in turn, and at this stage Armstrong really opened out for the first time, very powerful, wellplaced drives to off and on resulting, and his score and the team’s total mounted rapidly, a four off Snedden to the on boundary bringing Armstrong’s total to 103. From this on Armstrong and his partner had the bowling quite in hand, and made matters very lively for bowlers fieldsmen alike. Brooke-Smith’s deliveries at this stage found the boundary with great regularity, Armstrong getting through with his powerful o"f drive between point and mid-off. H i was eventually given out leg before, the result of a straight one from Hemus, and the score stood at 443 for 5 wickets. Ransford, Australia’s left-hander,

had the honour of securing top score with 159. He opened very streakily, frequently mis-timing the ball, but on getting the pace of the wicket soon put on the runs. Most of his opening runs were secured from leg glances and pulls, each bowler in turn suffering similarly, and Hansford proved himself an adept in dealing with anything on the leg side. Later he showed that he .was very dangerous on the off, and some of his drives to the long-off boundary had much power behind them. In turning cne from Snedden to •fine-le)g he gave Hemus a chance, the fieldsman just touching the ball. After the tea adjournment Hansford quietened for a while, Clarke sending down a maiden, and the batsman had a close call in running a short single, Brooke-Smith returning smartly and upsetting the stumps. Brooke-Smith i-elieved Clarke in the bowling. Hansford, with a boundary hit, brought Australia’s total to 501. By pulling BrookeSmith to square-leg tor 4, and driving him twice to the long-off boundary, Hansford brought up his century. After this he was untroubled, except that he did not appear to beat home to Taylor, and adopting very aggressive tactics, he was soon well on towards his second century, securing 19 off one over chiefly from tine leg glances to the boundary. With his team’s total at 636, Hansford’s end came in a very untimely lashion, for his new partner, Sims, called for a foolish run off’ his first stroke and sent Ransford back too late, BrookeSmith returning smartly and Ransford was run out. Noble was Ransford’s partner after the tea adjournment, and in running up his score of 90 gave a very finished display. He opened quietly, and at this stage scoring was very quiet. After opening out Noble gave a sound exhibition, and brought into operation a variety of strokes, making particular use of a beautiful late cut, while, in common with others preceding him, his drives to off and on were ail that they should have been, one powerful drive oif one of Hemus’ deliveries resulting in the first six of the match,. the ball travelling high over the bowler’s head to well outside the chalk line. Noble’s strokes to point were very hot, and MacCormick was responsible for some very safe fielding in this position. When in sight of his century, iNoble hit a hard uppish one to the bowler, Brook, and the chance was accepted, six wickets being then down for 6 36. Very poor showings were made by Sims and Mailey, who followed Noble and Hansford respectively. Sims opened by running Ransford out, and after a few unconvincing strokes was mean bowled by Snedden. Mailey likewise failed to impress, and Snedden should have dismissed him, Horspool, at cover, dropping the simplest of catches off Snedden’s fifth ball. Laver and Mailey played out time, the score being then 8 for 655. AUCKLAND.—First Innings. Hemus, c Noble, b McKenzie 112 Taylor, b Ransford 4 Snedden, b Armstrong 3 Somervell, b Laver 14 Brooke-Smith, b Laver 30 Horspool, c McGregor, b Laver ... 2 Brook, c and b Laver 11 Smeeton, b Laver 0 McCormick, not out 28 Tattersail, b Mailey 22 Clarke, c McGregor, b Noble 4 Extras 21 Total 251

AUSTRALIA.—First Innings. McKenzie, b Snedden . 34 Dolling, c Brook, b Smith 40 Waddy, c Tattersall, b Somervell . . 130 Armstrong, lbw, b Hemus 12S Collins, c Smeeton, b Smith 37 Noble, c and b Brook 90 Ransford," run out 159 Sims, b Snedden 5 Mailey, c Tattersall, b Clarke .... 10 Laver, st Tattersall, b Snedden ... 5 McGregor, not out . '. 0 Extras 20 Total 658 AUCKLAND.—Second Innings. McCormick, b Armstrong 0 Hemus, run out 17 Brooke-Smith, lbw Armstrong .... 22 Snedden, b McKenzie 42 Horspool, b McKenzie 0 Somervell, b McKenzie 17 Taylor, b McKenzie 15 Brook, c and b Noble 27 Smeeton, b Noble 28 Clarke, b Armstrong 5 Tattersall, not out ..... 2 Extras 11 Total 186

BOWLING ANALYSIS. O. M. R. Wkt. Armstrong- ..... 28 8 50 1 Ransford 7 2 16 1 Laver 29 9 69 4 Mailey 12 2 46 2 Noble 12 6 10 1 Collins 4 ■ 1 12 o McKenzie 5 0 ■ 27 1

BOWLING- ANALYSIS. 0. M. R. Wkt. Armstrong . .. . . 25.1 9 48 3 Laver . . 15 1 35 0 Noble 6 4 5 2 Collins 1 o 2 o Mailey . . 13 1 45 0 McKenzie . . . . .. 16 4 41 4