THE SECOND TEST

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 3

THE SECOND TEST

Press Association—By Telcgr iph—Copyright. SYDNEY, December IS. The te.sl match was restarted in warm weather on an excellent wicket. When play was resumed England had lost five wickets lor 120. Hammond quickly left the 201 mark, and soon . ss.T Murdoch's record of 211, which was made in England in 1884. However, he lost Larwood, who, swinging at, Gnmmett, was well taken by Ryder at square-log. Though Larwood took 89min to make 43, he played well, oftdriving brightly. Hammond continued a very brisk display, his cover-driving being as choice as any that has been seen on the Svdnev Cricket Ground for years. "All the time the bowling was receiving a trouncing ; the fielding was splendid, except that of Ironmonger, who was very slovenly, causing the crowd to ridicule him. HAMMOND'S GREAT INNINGS All thought that Hammond was certain to beat Foster’s record of 287, which was made at Sydney twenty-five vears ago, but he played Ironmonger 'into the ground on the leg side, and I lie ball rolled into the wicket. Ho had "iven a glorious display, hatting for 'dSlmin. Ho hit thirty 4’s by wristy. versatile cricket. England has sent nut lew better batsmen Tale hit breezily for 2.5, then missed in attempting to hit oft Dlackie, and was out leg before. Geary and Duckworth ollered surprising opposition. Both were quiet at the start, but wore brighter afterwards, the howling being absolutely collared. Blackic ami Ironmonger appeared to be the most dangerous, the former being able to turn the ball, but it bad no vim. When he reached G 6 Geary pivoted around to swing Blackio to leg, but tho ball struck his pad, and he was out leg before. He batted for 162 min. He hit eight 4’s. and did not shape like a tail-end batsman. THE RECORD BEATEN

Eight runs were required for a test record when White, who is a weak batsman, joined Duckworth, but again there was a surprise. They showed up the poorness of the bowling, and the record was beaten by 36 before u bite was stamped. Duckworth’s was a really good knock lor He was especially sound on the off. Blackic, who obtained the best bowling {mures, deserved them. He kept a "ood length to-day, was tricky in the° air, and made the ball turn well from the off. n , , The fielding never slackened, Richardson and Grimmett being the best. Oldfield kept wickets perfectly, the stumping of White being particularly brilliant.

AUSTRALIA'S BIG DEFICIT EARLY DISASTER Australia faced a huge deficit of 383 runs, and have a practically hopeless task with Ponsford out of action. Disaster came before a run was scored. Richardson turned Tate hard to square leg, where Hendren, close in, took a splendid catch. Woodfull had a unique piece of luck. He played a hall from Tate hard into the "round and it bounced on to tho bails'without disturbing them. It was the first stroke of fortune that Australia had during the game. Hendry and Woodfull were together till 5.50," when an appeal regarding tho light was successful, j The attendance was 17,358, and the receipts were £1,(500, There were many regrets that Hammond did not break the record, but Foster’s was made against much superior howling, including that ol Xoble, Howell, Saunders, Laver, Armstrong, and Hopkins. Details AUSTRALIA First Innings -o'i Second Innings. Richardson c Hendren b Tate ... 0 Woodfull not out 17 Hendry not out 21 Extra 1 Total for one wicket ... 39 ENGLAND First Innings. Hobbs c Oldfield b Grimmett ... 40 Sutcliffe c Hendry b Ironmonger 11 Hamnpnd b Ironmonger 251 Jardine run out .... 28 Hendren c Richardson b Blackie 74 Chapman c Ryder b Blackie 20 Larwood c Ryder b Grimmett ... 43 Geary Ibw b Blackie 66 Tate Ibw b Blackie 25 Duckworth not out 39 White st Oldfield b Hendry 29 Extras 10 Total 636 Bowling Analysis.—Nothling, none for 60, Hendry one for 62, Grimmett ;> for 191, Ironmonger 2 for 142, Blackie 4 for 148, Ryder none for 22, Kippax none for 11. THIRD DAY’S PLAY [By Substitute.J England has surpassed all test match figures in the second game with Australia, and the later batsmen all did so welt that England’s score was carried to 636 before tho last man was dismissed. On the face of it, Australia’s chances in the present game are well nigh hopeless, and it remains to bo seen whether the homo side can avert an innings defeat. The bowling appeared to be far from difficult, and unless some new blood is introduced into the Australian team for flic remaining tests tho Englishmen look to have the winning chance all the way. Ryder's captaincy is criticised by Clem Hill, and it would not bo surprising if Woodfull were appointed to lead the Australians. Hammond continued a great knock yesterday, and added 50 to his total before he played Ironmonger on to the wicket. Hammond did not reach Foster’s record score, but it was a wonderful knock, and included no fewer than thirty 4’s. Larwood’s was a very useful innings, and then Geary came to light with 66. Geary, in the two test matches in which lie had played prior to the present touV, had an average of 22.50, and at Leeds, in the fourth test of the last series in England, he was largely responsible, with Macaulay, in saving England from defeat, 108 being put on for the ninth wic-

England’s Record Score A Total of 636 Runs Hammond Contributes 251

ket. He is a hard batsman to shift; but that Duckworth should have carried his bat for 139 is surprising, tor at Home lie is not regarded as much of a batsman. , The previous highest total scored in a test match was COO, by Australia, at Melbourne, in 1924-25, the best previously by an English team being 589, at Melbourne, in 1911-12. •Blackic appears to have been Australia’s most successful bowler, and under the circumstances las four wickets for 148 runs was a good effort. Grimmett and ironmonger both got a couple of wickets, but both were expensive. Hendry, as usual, proved a fairly useful change, but Hio whole trouble with the Australian attack seems to be that it is lacking iu reliable mainstays The Queenslander, Notliling, did not repeat his former success, and failed to take a wicket. Ironmonger is probably useful as a bowler, being one of the best lefthanders in Australia, but he is a poor bat and an uncertain field, which makes him rather expensive in the long run. Richardson has again failed with the bat,' though his fielding is said to have been brilliant. RYDER’S CAPTAINCY CRITICISED BY CLEM HILL Press Association—By Ta’ograpl;—Copyright. LONDON, December 17. Clem Hill appraises Hammond as the champion of offside strokes. He gives full praise to England's batting, and declares that all the chances are that Australia will again be defeated. He then proceeds with tho definite statement: “I am of tho opinion that Ryder’s captaincy is not up to the best standard. Hammond repeatedly drove through covers to the boundary, yet. it was not until 150 that Ryder "posted a deep boundary. I fail to understand why there were so many fours when they could have been stopped by different placings. Throughout the Hammond-Hendren partnership Ryder allowed the field to be ragged, though the men stuck well throughout a trying day. I fear we must pass over the older men and introduce youngsters,”—Australian Press Association.

THE HERO OF THE HOUR A MODEL AT THE CREASE Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, December 17. ‘‘Plum” Warner, writing in the ‘ Morning Post,’ says: “ Two years rgo Hammond was in a nursing home at Bristol, where iris life hung in the balance—yet I told him that one day he would forget his troubles in future triumphs. I am glad to think that my words have come true. Hammond’s position at the crease is a model for all, and Gloucestershire may ultimately compare him with Dr Grace. Hammond in one respect is Dr Grace’s superior, for great ns W.Q. was nobody ever called him a stylist, as exemplified by Hobbs and Woolley. Hammond has emphasised Australia’s urgent need for a fast bowler.—Australian Press Association. AN OBJECTIONABLE PRACTICE PLAYERS AS WRITERS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, December 18. Tho average Australian cricket enthusiast is convinced that the test ashes are going bad. with the Englishmen, thanks to Hammond, Larwood, Geary, and Hcndreu In the multitude of facetious observations at the ground one wag to-day seemed aptly to express the feelings of those around him when he shouted: ‘‘Hey, Ryder, when does tho test match begin? ” The question whether players should be allowed to write for the Press is the subject of considerable comment. A number of people regard the practice as objectionable, as it takes the players’ mind off their real job, and might even cause dissension in the team. Quite an army of old cricketers and some present-day players are engaged in Press activities, and at the test are Noble, Hill, Armstrong, Mailey, Macartney, Kelleway. Ponsford, Moyes, and Fender, it is practically certain that the Board of Control at its meeting a fortnight hence will debar those still in the game from Press writing. Mr Oxlade, the president of the board, made this statement to-day.