THE FOURTH TEST

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1933, Page 11

THE FOURTH TEST

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

OPENING AT BRISBANE

AUSTRALIA DOES WELL

THREE WICKETS FOR 251

FAST BOWLING FAILS

craph—Copyright.

BRISBANE, 10th February. Australia's batting strength reasserted itself on the opening day of the fourth Test cricket match." The Australian captain, W. M. Woodfull, won the toss, and with V. Y. Richardson as his partner, opened Australia's innings. The batsmen handled the fast English bowling much better than in any of the previous Tests, and at the close of the day's play Australia had scored 2^l runs for the loss of three wickets. .

The weather was fine and hot, with a cloudless sky. Australia's hot sun was a worthy ally on the day, and it is significant that the express bowlers failed to take a wicket until very late in the day. It was a great day for Australian, batsnianship, particularly against Jardine's fast bowlers, after a period iv tho doldrums. It was like old times to see Australia pas 3 the double century with only three wickets down. " Hammond again proved a useful trundler, wMlo Verity was' a model of accuracy. FIELD PLACED ASTUTELY. Jardine placed the- field with. great astuteness, and kept his men at concert pitch throughout a wearing day, Australia's winning the toss certainly proved a tremendous advantage. The official estimate, of the attendance is in the vicinity of 23,000. The gate takings were- £2515. The gate was "crashed" during the lunch adjournment,, and 500 people gained entrance without paying. The-following are the teams:—• AUSTRALIA. W. M. Woodfull' (captain). V. Y. Richardson (vJce-eaptain). D. G. Brandman. S. J. MeCabe.' W. -H. Ponsford. L. S. Darling. E. Bromley. ' H. S. Love. T. W. Wall. W. J. O'Eeilly. H. Ironmonger. B. J. Tobin (twelfth man). ENGLAND.. D. B. Jardiue (eapt&jn). B. E. S. Wyatt (vice-oaptain). H. Sutclifie. . W. K. Hammond.' E. Paynter. M. Leyland. ; L. Ames. } t H. Larwobd. ■ ' G. 0. Allen. H. Verity. ■ T. B. Mitchell. F. B. Brown (twelfth man). The great crowd sent up a cheer as Woodfull's smile announced that he had won the toss. Australia batted on a wicket that was as much a bowler's nightmare, as a batsman's-paradise. , Woodfull took Eichardson 'to open with him, and in. the early stages the vice-captain was much more at his ease than his skipper. Orthodox off-theory tactics were the order as Larwood and Allen opened the bowling, but immediately .it became apparent that the wicket lent the fast nien little assistance. , Woodfull found the -movement of spectators behind the sight board disconcerting, and the umpire made three trips to the boundary before the police settled things to Woodfull's satisfaction. . ■ ' Larwood introduced the leg-theory in his fourth over, and the crowd gave it a hostile reception. Woodfull was ill at ease against the leg stuff, but soon warmed to his work, and settled down to play a characteristic knock. Jardine used the leg-theory only to Woodfull, the field changing over to the ofl for Eichardson, ENGLISHMEN TEEL HEAT. . Eichardson gave what appeared to be a chance to Jardine at third slip, but the ball passed through his hands. The English fieldsmen were seriously affected by, the heat, wiping the perspiration from their brows after each over. ■ Jardine brought Mitchell to the attack after the fast bowlers had failed to effect a separation, but Woodfull got him away for two boundaries in the first over. The batsmen /just before lunch appeared well dug in, and had given Australia the best start this season. At lunch Woodfull was 21 and Eichardson 34. The crowd suffered the heat smilingly, for Australia had made a splendid start. Both batsmen showed more aggression after lunch, ■Woodfull hitting Verity for two successive fours, and each batsman scored three in one over from Larwood, who was then replaced by Allen. ; . Eiehardson reached 52 in 125 minutes with a beautiful off drive to the boundary off Allen, and pulled tlie next ball to the on boundary. The leg field was used for Eichardson Js batting, but after ten had come off one over from Larwbod,- Jardine changed to tho off field, the legtheory being temporarily defeated by brilliant forcing play by Eichardson. The partnership posted the century in 135 minutes, both men apparently being well set. . Jardine rang the changes frequently before the tea period, Verity proving the least expensive. ' Eiehardson Js innings ended when the score was at 133, being stumped by Ames when endeavouring to force the pace. Hammond was the bowler. Eichardson received and deserved a magnificent ovation. When Bradman joined Woodfull the captain hoisted his 50 in 175 minutes and 150 was posted shortly afterwards. At the tea adjournment Woodfull was 55 and Bradman 14, and the total was 153 for one wicket. Woodfull and Bradman continued quietly but confidently after tea, although Bradman might have been caught at first slip off LaTwood. Jardine was soon forced to rely on Hammond and Verity to carry on the attack. Bradman, who began shakily, was now .playing with tho greatest confidence. WOODFULL OUT AT LAST. Woodfull's long innings camo to an end with the score at 200. He had been a model of patience for 244 minutes, and helped tire tho bowling for Bradman and MeCabe. The ovation ho received was really remarkable. Soon after MeCabo joined him. Brad-

man ran to 52; but he lost MeCabe after the pair had added 33. MeCabe cut a fast one from Allen to Jardine in the slips.

Bradmari and Ponsford successfully weathered the period to the drawing of stumps. The scores are as follows:— ATJSTEALIA. Krst Innings. Kichardson, st Ames, b Hammond 83 Woodfnil, b Mitchell 67 Bradman, not out ............... 71 MeCabe, c Jardine, b Allen ...... 20 Ponsford, not out 8 Extras 2 Total for three wickets 251 The wickets fell as follows:—One for 133, two for 200, three for 233.