PAVED THE WAY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 7, 23 January 1937, Page 14

PAVED THE WAY

BOWLERS AS BATSMEN IN THIRD TEST

"Bradman's huge score was wonderfully made, but many thought that just as much credit for the Australxari total v/as due to Ward, who held up his wicket during the critical period after England's declaration, and to Rigg and Ringleton, who took something of the sting out of the English bowling before Bradman came to the wicket." That was the comment of Mr. E. J, Williams, of Christchurch, who has returned after a visit to Australia, the highlight of which was the third Test match between England and Australia at Melbourne. The crowd rocked with laughter, said Mr. Williams, when FleetwoodSmith and O'Reilly came out as the ■opening pair for Australia's second innings. The pitch had rolled out well in the interval, but the pair raised more. mirth when, in an effort to kill time in the last half hour of the day, when the pitch might play tricks they patted the wicket ostentatiously after every ball. Ward, a bowler, held up his end splendidly, being unbeaten at the end of the day and carrying on next morning for a total time of 68 minutes, during which he made only 18 runs. Rigg's 47 took 122 minutes to compile, and the general opinion was that those two did wonders in preparing the way for Fingleton and Bradman. "Bradman? He just seemed to score when he wanted to and how he wanted to," was Mr. Williams' reply to a question concerning Don the Great. "He showed no particular shot preference but just punched them through gaps in the field. The crowd advised Allen to bowl the umpires in the hope of getting Bradman out."