ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 187

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 32, 22 February 1937, Page 8

ENGLAND ALL OUT FOR 187

Poor Display Against Victoria HOME SIDE 144 FOR TWO (By J. B. Hobbs. — Copyright in all countries. — Reproduction in whole or in part forbidden.) ' MELBOURNE, Feb. 21. It was another hot day, for the con;tinuation of the match between M.C.C. and Victoria, and though there was a strong breeze, it was still sultry. The new stand, which stretches half-way round the grounds, has a snowy roof, which produces a glare. The wicket had nothing like Friday 's life, and there was no new ball to contend with. Still, McCormick had plenty of pace. He and Sievers took one wicket each to dispose oi the remaining men for the addition of 18 in 23 minutes. Ames was playing so well again that I was surprised to see him go. He was trying to push past point a good-length ball that did nothing, and he played acrdss its flight. There was a comic interlude when; jVoce tried to hit a full pitch fromj j Sievers for six. He sliced it high ini 'the air, and Pearson and the bowler. both went for a catch, which was lefti !to Pearson. I was not surprised to see> ;him put it down. Voce, considering ihimself a better batsman than Copson, refused a long run ofl the last ball of jan over and was bowled next balL So [England was all out for 187 — a meagre 'score. Though the batting was poor, I can ;find a little excuse, in that the wicket iwas livelier than uauaL In addition to ■the casual attitude of the batsmen .thau T mentioned on Friday, they would not take the risk of getting hurt by fast, rising balls so near the Test, - The boundary was very close on one -side, and when Voce went on, 3L«e, the left-hander, was nearly out the second ball for six, a risky shot that might ; have easily been a catch at deep third Iman. . Eight were scored ofl Sims' first six ideliveries, but ofl the seventh, his [googly, coming quickly ofl the pitch,; !Rigg was out leg before. This brought; jGregory and Lee together at 37. It! I looked as if they might make another! ! Btand like their 262 against England in' j 'the first match here, despite a chancej given by Gregory to Copson in thei igully ofl Voce when 24. They added 64,! and had just hoisted 100 when Lee was!' lunfortunate to be run out, owing to aj mix up. Lee made a useful 40. He is a good ■player, though I should not call him. lattractive to watch. I might say the! ;same about Gregory, but he seems ner-: jvous of going all out for a stroke, unless it is a hook, which he does! expertly. Hassett was lucky to receive a fuUi toss, with which he got ofl the markl with a square drive for four. Hassett: led the Australian averages for a long time, and only recently Bradman got in front of him.- He made 28 quickly before rain came on. He is a beautifully free player with an attractive style, and stands well up^t the wicket. All his strokes are exeeuted with ease and elegance. He demonstrated a splendid cut, getting well over the ball and giving himself room to bring his free wrists into play. In addition, he plays & delightful straignt bat. . This was my first view of Hassett. It was only; for half-an-hour, but I can understand! why he has scored so many runs. He is sure to represent Australia in the near future. » In their last two ma^ches the English batsmen gave the impression that they were not taking things too _ seriously. Saturday 's policy seemed to be to keep the regular bowlers fresh for the Test. Allen and Farnes are resting, while Voce did not unleash himself, not even the opening bowlers, Copson and Hammond, doing that. Voce might have dismissed Gregory twice with a goodlength ball just outside the ofl stump, which he edged, but, generally, the bowling did not look deadly, and the batsmen were never in difficulties. After three appeals against the light within a few deliveries, play ceased at! 3.45. Rain fell immediately, and the' wicket was completely covered. Scores: — ENGLAND. ■ First Innings. Venty, c Pearson, b Nash ...... l| ;Barnett, c Pearson, b McCormick li :Hardstafl, c Pearson, b Nash .. .. 14! .Hammond, b Ebeling 14 Leyland, c Ledward, b Sievers .. 19 Wyatt, c Barnett, b McCormick .. 1 Ames, b McCormick 64 Robins, e Nash, b Pearson 33 Sims, c Ledward, b Ebeling .... 16 Voce, b Sievers 15 Copson, not out 2 Extras T Total .. .. ;.. 187 Bowling analysis. — McCormick took three for 35, Nash two for 21, Ebeling two for 20, Sievers two for 36, Pearson one for 40, Gregory none for 28. VICTORIA. First Innings. Rigg, lbw, b Sims 18 Lee, run out .« .. .. .. .. .. .. 4(1 Gregory, not oi;t- .. .. ». .. .. .. 53 Hassett, not out ............ 28 Extras . . 5 Total for two wickets . . . . . . 144