FINAL TEST MATCH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 131, 26 February 1921, Page 7

FINAL TEST MATCH

ENGLISHMEN DISMISSED FOR 204 AUSTRALIANS OPEN BADLY By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. Glee. February 25, 10.15 p.m.) Sydney, February 24. The fifth Test match commenced in ideal weather and on an excellent wicket. The attendance during the day was 17,000. Douglas won the toss and opened with Hobbs and Rhodes. Hobbs limped considerably as a result of his recent injury. Both men batted with extreme caution, 45 appearing as the result of an tour’s play.' Gregory and M‘Donald gave way to Mailey and Kelleway. Rhodes:, when 26, touched a fast b,all from Kelleway, which Carter brilliantly accepted. Hobbs deflected Gregory dangerously close to Mailey at second slip when 35 In the last over prior to luncheon he stepped in front of his wicket to Gregory, and was given out leg-before. On resuming Makepeace spooned Mailey to first slip, when 3, Gregory falling forward and taking a smart catch low down. In the following over Hendren gave Ryder an opportunity at second slip off Gregory, which was declined, but in the same over he touched a fast one, and was smartly taken by Carter at short stop. 4—5—76. This changed the complexion of the game, and conjured up visions of a debacle. Gregory was bowling with exceptional speed and maintaining an excellent length, and supported by a brilliant slip field, threatened to go through the side, whilst Mailey at the other end was delivering a minimum of loose ones and demanded the closest watching. Woolley and Russell now became associated in a useful partnership, the former particularly displaying commendable enterprise and confidence at such a critical juncture. He coolly drove Gregory, a straight hit, and also executed fine drives to the off boundary from Mailey, rapidly Teaching the thirties before losing his partner, who placed Mailey into Gregory’s 'hands at first slip. The partnership had added 49, whilst the previous four wickets added only 22. . Douglas joined Woolley, Gregory meanwhile giv, ing way to M’Donald. Woolley proceeded merrily, reaching the half-century in masterly fashion in 54 minutes. He seemed well set for a big score, when in the next over he played 'back to M‘Donald, hitting his wicket. Douglas and Fender faced Kelleway and M‘Donald, the formei being dropped at first slip by -Gregory when 11, the ball flying at an awkward angle knee high. In the succeeding over Gregory made amends by one of the finest catches .witnessed. Fender toliched a fast one from Kelleway, and Gregory, in the same position, intercepted a cannon shot with the left hand, whilst the crowd were looking to see the ball speeding to the boundary. 7—2 —164. Wilson notched 5 before tipping Kelleway to Carter, who made no mistake.

After tea Parkin cut Kelleway outside deep point, Taylor brilliantly catching him low down. Strudwick skied Gregory to mid-on, where Macartney waited underneath the ball. The team began to file off the field, but to the surprise of everybody Macartney dropped tho easiest of catches. Gregory in the next over shattered Strudwick’s sticks, the innings closing for 204. Kelleway excelled himself with the ball, maintaining a perfect length throughout. Armstrong handled the attack to a. nicely, displaying keen judgment in using and nursing the respective bowlers. The fielding, with the exception of a co..pie of blemishes, was exeentionally brilliant, nnd considerably enhanced the bowlers’ efforts. Carter s exhibition behind the wickets, including three catches, was the work ot a true artist. He is still the foremost keeper in Australia. . Australia’s innings opened in «™m a tic fashion Collins and Bardsley both falling' earlv to fine catches at second slip by Fender, off Parkin and Douglas. Macartney and Taylor played out time bv <teadv batting, interspersed with crisp strokes. Taylor was dropped by Parkin off Woolley at silly mid-on when 22. ~'i'he following are the scores:—

ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, 1.b.w., b. Gregory « Rhodes, c. Carter, b. Kelleway -6 Makepeace, c. Gregory, b. Mailey ... 3 Hendren, c. Carter, b. Gregory 5 Woolley, b. M’Donald Russell, c. Gregory, h. Mailey W Douglas, not out •••••*■•" ’o Fender, c. Gregory, b. Kelleway - Wilson, e. Carter, b. Kelleway •> Parkin, c. Taylor, I>. Kelleway 9 Strudwick, b. Gregory -

Sundries ' Total -7* The wickets fell as follow—One for 45. two for 70, three for 74, four for (6, five for 125. six for 160 seven for 164, eight for 172, nine for 201, ten for Bowling Averages—Kelleway took four wickets for 27 runs one no-ball ■ Gregnrv three for 42; At‘Donald one for 38, one’wide one no-ball; Mailey, two forB9.

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c. Fender, b. Parkin 5 Bardsley, c. Fender, b. Douglas 7 Macartney, not out "I Taylor, not out “ Extras '

Total for two wickets

HOBBS AVELL ENOUGH TO PLAY. (Rec. I’ebrupry 25, 11.5 p.m ) Sydney, February 25. It was announced at the last moment that Hobbs had recovered, sufficient y to play in the Test match.-Press Assn.

NOTES ON THE PLAY. Douglas would no doubt be gratified at winning the toss for the second time It is not of quite the same value as when his side was still in the hunt, but if is always something to have first knock, especially when a team has lost several of its games. Hobbs and Rhodes made a fair start, and it may be interesting to give their figures for the last aeries in Australia. They were ns follew :—Hobbs, 63 22, 6, 126 not out: 18g * 178 i This' Hm efforts of the pair read thus: Hobbs, 49, W 122, 20, 18, 123, 27, 13, 40. Rhodes, 3 45 7, 28, 16, 4, 11, 73, 26. The famous Yorkshiieman is not. the player of old but he can console himself with the knowledge that he held his place in England's Test team much longer than the majority of men. Iho Butishers’ total, however, is a very poor one ami they have not made anything like what they should be .worth The Kent professional has got into the fifties again, and Douglas has exhibited his usual grit Kelleway’s bowling proved too much for some of the " s '^ r3 ’ and his analysis is a good one. M hen Australia batted, both Bardsley Co . lins failed, as in the recent New South Wales game. AUSTRALIA’S IMPREGNABLE STRENGTH AIARYLEBONE SELECTION COMMITTEE STAGGERED. (Rec. February 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 24. Lord Harris, interviewed, said: “The Marylebone Selection Committee was s-'aggered bv the impregnable strength of Australia. Most of us imagined that the Australians, like ourselves, would require a longer recovery from the war. They have unquestionably (developed

into a combination -of great strength. Personally, I did not think when our team se? sail that the bowling was good enough to capture the rubber. I believe that with, fewer casualties we would have won an early Test. I have no doubt that the best from was sent, but we struck a lean bowling period. The Australian successes will have a stimulating effect on the game. The outlook for cricket was never brighter. Village cricket is more flourishing than for generations. Town grounds are difficult, but the London Playing Grounds Committee is doing its best.” — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HEARNE SERIOUSLY ILL (Rec. February 25, 7.15 pm) Sydney, Feb.’, iry 25. The "Sun” says that Hearne’s temporary indisposition has developed into a more serious illness. Medical men fear he has become a victim to lung troubles and may not take the field again. The paper suggests that instead of making an appeal for the Armstrong presentation fund during the fifth Test match, it be made on behalf of Hearne. ' —Press Assn.