FIRST TEST MATCH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 210, 31 May 1921, Page 5

FIRST TEST MATCH

PLAY CONTINUED ON WET WICKET

EIGHT AUSTRALIANS OUT FOR 202

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. May 31, 1.50 a.m.) London, May 30. Rain teemed for four or five hours in the early morning. Armstrong spent many minutes inspecting tho wicket. The weather was not promising when play started at 11 o’clock. It was a wicket suited to Woolley, who opened at the pavilion end. Douglas completed the famous "glue-pot” combination, putting on Rhodes. Pel-lew’s opening shot in the first over was a squarecut to the boundary. Carter shaped confidently when facing Rhodes, lifting him high to the leg boundary. He treated Woolley similarly in the next over, and then gave a graceful leg glance for two. The first ten minutes produced 16, before Pellow gave an easy return to Rhodes. The following are <the scores: — ENGLAND. First innings U2 AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins. 1.b.w., b. Richmond ]7 Batdsley, 1.b.w., b. Woolley 66 Macartney, 1.b.w., b. Doughis 26 Taylor, c. Jupp, b. Douglas 4 Armstrong, b. Jupp n Gregory, 1.b.w., b. Richmond 14 ■ Pellew, c. and b. Rhodes 25 Andrews, c. and b. Rhodes 6 Carter, not out 26 Hendry, not out o Extras qg Total for eight wickets 202 COMMENTS ON THE PLAY IMPROVEMENT IN ENGLISH BATTING PROPHESIED. London, May 29. Apart from Bolmes, tho English batsmen were seldom convincing after the first quarter of an hour, when Gregory found his length, while M'Donald’s consistent length and clever pace changes kept the batsmen on the defensive. Richmond turned the ball a lot, aided by a wicket which was getting worse. Bardsley and Armstrong 'batted stubbornly and carefully, 'but they failed to master the bowling. Woolley was accurate and kept the batsmen defending. Four men out leg before wicket equals the Test record. Mr. A. MacLaren, writing in tho "Sunday Express,” says:—"l think it a pity •to begin the Tests on Saturdays, because so much can happen, to the wickets on Sundays, with the result that the winning of the toss becomes a greater advantage than ever. All cricketers want to see the element of luck eliminated as muth as possible.” Mr. MacLaren declares that there are plenty of good ataateurs in England who refuse to play •owing to the lack of consideration shown their convenience. They prefer to stand down rather than undergo four months’ hard preparation. Mr. Gilbert Jessop, writing in "Lloyd’s Weekly,” says: "Though the advantage is with the Australians, it seems that there are all the makings of a pretty finish, England’s batting was not a true criterion of their run-getting powers. I have sufficient confidence in the team to prophesy that the second innings will be worthier of English Test batting tradition. With rain in the offing, our advantage in winning the toss has disappeared, but with a continuance of fine weather I do not despair of the match being saved. Bardsley’s innings was the day’s outstanding batting feature. l* or soundness, combined with clear, incisive strokes, I doubt whether he has ever plaved better. He appeared set for a century before he misjudged the pace of one from Woolley. As a whole the wicket gave some assistance to the bowlers, the differing paces of the ball on leaving the ground keeping the in a state of continual uncertainty. The Australian bowling was extraordinarily good. Gregory, after the initial stiftne»s due to the cold winds had worn off, bowled as well as I have ever seen a fast bowler in the Tests Tlis knack of making the ball rise suddenly entitles him to be classed with Richardson and Lockwood. Though his figures do not flatter him, M'Donald was scarcely Gregory’s inferior.” kir. Sewell writes in the Daily ChroniclWithat if Fry is not available for the other Tests, he hopes MacLaren will be induced to captain England, and put some starch into the batting at about number eight It was a mistake including Howell with ram about It tne game ends on a bowler’s wicket, Makepeace will be sighed for. Although Saturday’s conditions were all in Howell s favour the results were nil. because it was no good bowling wide of the offstump to class batting.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

"LAMENTABLE EXHIBITION OF ENGLISH TAIL.” (Rec. May 30, 7.50 p.m.) London, May 29. Mr. MacLaren writes; "Such a lamentable exhibition as the English tail is rarely seen. Richmond’s type of bowling should not bo played at the expense of left-handers able to ke e P le ngth a turn the ball. Bardsley wfts evidently surprised bv the leg-before decision, witieh the Australians accepted m true cricketing S pirit."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ARMSTRONG’S PRELIMINARY B ALLS. < (Rec. May 30, 7AO p.m.) London, May 29.

' Several newspapers comment on Armstrong bowling preliminary balls to the outfield on Saturday as arm oilers, and point out that this is contrary to the rules of Marylebone, which abolished trial balls when the batsmen ™re at (he wickets. The "Standard” comments: "It seems the Australians can do as ihey like.”—United Service.