WICKETS FALL FAST

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 34, 24 February 1937, Page 14

WICKETS FALL FAST

J. B.

Hobbs-

Ames "Keeps" Well For England DRAW WITH VICTORIA

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"(Received 24, "8.45 a.m.) , MELBOURNE, Feb. 23. i A day and two hours out of a four days' mateh robs it of competitive interest and when the wicket is completely covercd, one cannot get sporty. The jmatch between Victoria and England Jreopened at noon to-day in bright 'weather after a blank Monday and a jdraw was practically a foregone conlclusion. In the early stages it appeared as if we were in for a dull day '3 (cricket, each side using the chance of Igetting such practice as it could. Vicitoria were in batting and tho tourists !muscle loosening in the field but a new ball was no sooner taken by the fast bowlers just before lunch, than life crept into the proceedings and things began to happen. In quick time four wickets fell, Ames takihg three catches at the wicket. One that dismissed Hassett was particularly fine. Hassett, trying to force a good length ball outside the off stump through the covers, turned it in the direction of first slip jthough it. is a moot point whether it would have carried so far. Ames flung 'out his right hand and found the ball stick. ' Gr6gory was unlucky to get one from Copson that rose sharply and he could not get away from it. Ledward was, caught off a weak shot which he spoon,ed to short leg. Pearson was Ames'] ;third vietim through flickiftg a goorL 'length ball from Voce that swung away. The game swung round to promise England valuable batting practice. The ! wicket had been toned down and was quite easy but, as throughout the tour, (a new ball made a big difference and seemed to fly. The two youngsters, .Gregory and Hassett, were rather slow to-day. The bowling was of pretty good; length and permitted no liberties! though once Gregory stepped out and hit one over the heads of the in-fielders.' Gregory has not the power to hit, it ihard except when hooking. j The outfield was very slow after the recent heavy rain. Hassett completed j a very good 50. He was not as brisk iin strokes to-day but one has only to see him at the wickets for a few minutes to recognise his cla^ss. He inspires confidence straight away. He and Gregory added 103 for the tbird wicket. I heard gldwing accounts of Pearson 's batting but he wa3 not on view long ienough for me to express an opinion. ' Copson bowled well at a fair pace and Voce worked encugh to tune himself up for Friday without unduly exert-i ing himself. Three more wickets fell but there was an unexpected resistance by the last pair, Nash knocking np a crude but useful 29. Leyland had to go on to break the partnersklp. ! Victoria gained an impressive lead of ; 105. , , . I thought an opportunity would have1 been taken to give Wyatt a show as Barnett 's partner but Verity was again sent in so it would appear there i3 a settled policy to let him open in the Test. Verity was out second ball, a good one from Nash, which went away and was caught in the slips. Barnett was uncomfortable against three bumpers from Nash. From one he had a lucky escape putting the bat up blindly shoulder high nnd sending it over the phort leg's head. He was then dismissed by a fairly good length one' which he tried to hit past mid-off where; there was no fieldsman but he playedf , too soon and was caught to left of cover. Nash is a tearaway bowler able to make a short ball rise disconcertingly. While Barnett looks at ease with any other type of bowling, he mighfr jfall to a buinper at any time, having jgot into the habit of fiinching. On the j other hand Hardstaff, who went in first j wicket. down, sfcauds up very well and ,'bounces do not appear to worry him. 'He and Hammond were abld to indulge 'in some batting practice. Both lookcd1 'in fine form. jAlleh, Farnes, Worthington and Fish-j ilock had net practice to-day at another1 ,'Melbourne ground. Scores: — [ VICTORIA. First Innings. Rigg, lbw,.b Sims 18 Lee, run. out 40 Gregory, e Ames, b Copson 86 Hassett, c Ames, b Voce .. .. .. 54 Ledward, c Barnett, b Copson 7 Pearson, c Ames, b Voce .. .. .. 15 Sievers, b Verity .. ,. ,. .. .. 6 Barnett, lbw, b Robins 7 Nash, c Barnett, b Leyland .. ... 29 Ebeling, lbw, b Sims .1"' .. .. .. 6 McCormick, not out 10 Extras •• ... .. 14 Total .. r. »■ .. . ,. .. .. . a 292 Bowling: Copson two for 64, Hammond none for 12, Voce two for 52,' Sims, two for 76, .Verity one for 39,! Robins one,f or 34, Leyland one for one.| ENGLAND. Second Inmnga. j Verity, e Sievers, b Nash 0' Barnett,- c Lee, b Nasn 11 Hardstaff, not out 60 Hammond, c Lee, b Ledward .. .. 56 Leyland, not out ... .... .. .. ... ... 5 Total for three wickets .. .. 132 Bowling: Nash two for 16, McCormick none for 14, Sievers none for 15, Pearson none for 47, Gregory none for 22, Ebeling none for 17, Ledward one for one, Hassett none for six, Lee none for five. ^ The match was drawn. ^