FOURTH TEST MATCH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 120, 14 February 1921, Page 5

FOURTH TEST MATCH

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST INNINGS

FIVE WICKETS DOWN FOR 267

(By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Rec. Febrqary 13, 5.5 p.m.) Melbourne, February 12. The weather was extremely hot for the continuation of the fourth Test match, and there was a great crowd present, every seat being occupied before play began. Tho attendance was 35,291, and of this number 23,291 paid at the gate, which realised £2650. Armstrong again had a tremendous reception. Fender joined Douglas, the not out man, and began by scoring a single off the last ball of Mailey’s unfinished over. Douglas played back to Mailey in the net over ana was cleverly caught by the bowler. He had occupied 138 minutes in compiling his 50. A batsmen’s rout then followed, Dolphin and Fender falling victims in rapid succession. The taking of the three wickets only occupied 13 minutes. Parkin endeavoured to score fast -and took all sorts of risks, his hitting and running causing amusement amongst the spectators. At 10 Parkin was run out in* attempting tlie impossible, the innings closing for 284, after 310 minutes’ batting. Both Kelleway and Mailey howled with deadly accuracy, and there was great excitement at the rapid fall of the wickets.

At 12.45 Douglas led his men into the field, Collins and Bardsley opening to the bowling of Howell and Douglas. Collins appeared uneasy for the first few balls, and then hit Howell through the slips for 4. Bardsley opened with a single to leg off Douglas, and Collins, driving Howell for 2, reached double figures. Both 'batsmen were now playing with great confidence. Bardsley glanced Howell to leg and Collins hit the next ball to the fence for 4. Parkin, who was fielding well, saved many runs by smart stops near the fence. Waddington replaced Howell when the. score was no wickets for 38. Bardsley brought 50 up by a leg stroke off Parkin, in 35 minutes. At lunch the score was no wickets for 59 (Collins 26, Bardsley 31). Resuming after lunch. Parkin and Howell reopened the attack, the batsmen continuing to play freely. Collins drove Howell to the fence, followed by a 2, bringing 100 up on the board after 75 minutes’ play. CoUjns and Bardsley, who were both 50, reached the half-century in abou*' the same time. In Fender’s next over Bardsley misjudged a ball and was clean bowled. The score was then one wicket for 117. Shortly after, Collins hit Woolley to leg, where Rhodes cleverly held the caifeli. Ryder, attempting to play a well-pitched ball from Woolley, was out leg-before-yricket. The score was three wickets for 128. At this stage a cool change in the weather set in. Taylor, who came next, had a lucky let-off by Howell, who missed a ball played into his ha-'ds The next ball was a hard one from Fender, and the batsman, playing back, hit his wicket. Pellew followed, but light rain stopped play at 3.50 o’clock, when the score stood at four wickets for 141. After tea. Fender and Woolley conducted the attack. Pellew lifted Fender high to the fence for 4, and the next ball for 3 Woolley, who was bowling well, sent down six maidens out of nine overs, his average being two wickets for 9 runs. The sun again came out brightly, and the game went on merrily till Pellew, who was batting dashingly, was completely beaten by a ball from Fender. The score was five for 153, and Fender’s average at this stage was three for 36. Armstrong had a magnificent reception*, the crowd cheering him for several minutes. He started with a sjngle to leg and then drove Fender hard to the fence. Gregory lifted Fender high to tho boundary, but Woolley, who was still bowling accurately, sent down three more maiden overs. Parkin replaced Fender and Gregory drove him for 4, bringing up 201 in 207 minutes. Gregory, who was hitting all round the wicket, reached 50 in 112 minutes. Armstrong was playing cautiously, but' brightened his innings by occasional well-placed strokes,- his partnership with Gregory adding 100 to the score. Gregory continued to punish Fender, and reached 67 in 83 minutes. When play censed for the day Armstrong was 54, compiled in 86 minutes. Amidst great cheering the batsmen played out time. The following are the scores: — ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c. Carter, b. M'Donald 27 Rhodes, c. Carter, b. Gregory 11 Makepeace, c. Cblliiis, b. Mailey 117 Hendren, c. Carter, b. Mailey 30 Woolley, 1.b.w., b. Kelleway 29 Waddington, b. Mailey 0 Douglas, c. and b. Mailey 50 Fender, c. Gregory, b. Kelleway 3 Dolphin, b. Kelleway 1 Parkin, run out. 1" Howell, not out - o Extras 6

Total The wickets fell as follow:—One for 18, two for 61. three for 104, four for 161, five, for 270, six for 270, seven for 273, eight for 274, nine foi* 275, ton for 284. Bowling Analysis.—M'Donald took one wicket for 4G runs: Gregory, one for 61; Mailev, four for 115: Armstrong, none for 9: Ryder, none for 10; Kelleway, three for .37.

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c. Rhodes, b. Woolley 59 Bardslev, b. Fender 56 Ryder, 1.b.w., b. Woolley < Gregory, not out. Taylor' hit wicket, 1). Fender - Peilew, b. Fender 12 Armstrong, not out “I Extras ' ■ IU

Total for five wickets 267 —Press Assn. PRESSCOMMENT

Sydney, February 12. Referring to Friday’s play, the “Telegraph” says that the Englishmen s batting was the bulldog spirit par excellence, hut it was somewhat trying having to watch the slow scoring by methods long since condemned. Two wonderful catches by Carter were a revelation. On the dav his general display stamped him still facile princeps as a keeper. The “Herald” savs: At no stage did the hat master tho hall, although it was a batsman’s wicket. Makepeace plodded steadily, but he was tiresome fo watch. His motto anpnrontlv was: “Stay, and fho runs will come.” Carter was brilliant behind the wickets.—Press Assn. (Ree. February 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 11. The "Guardian” states; “There is an Unmistakable dramatic ffitefnlnoss hanging over the concluding Tests. The Australians are sure tn strive to secnre'the world’s record of five victories in five Tests. Marylebnne will strive not a jot Toss 'to prevent the Ignominy if the Eng--I!shnien' return without winning one — est. English cricket will suffer a blow to its prestige never known before.”— United Service.