CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1920, Page 1

CRICKET.

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] MELBOURNE, Nov 13. On Saturday play commenced in Lot and oppressive weather, but on an excellent wicket perfect for batting. The attendance was estimated at twenty-five thousand. McDonald arid Mullctt were the Victorian bowlers, but despite numerous bowling changes, Hobbs and Russell scored regularly. The latter was more enterprising than his partner, but their batting generally was more solid than it was brilliant. Immediately after lunch, Russell was caught at mid-on. His display was solid, but it was blemished by a chance at wickets early in his innings. The Victorian bowling was particularly weak. The slow scoring was consequently hard to understand. Hearne was forty-nine minutes in reaching ten. Thereupon the crowd, becoming impatient' started barracking. This caused Hobbs to turn and offer lus bat. Hobbs reached the century by driving a full toss from Liddicutt, after 184 minu tes batting. The second century was hoisted even time. The weakest bowling was being treated with the greatest respect, tho batsmen declining to take a risk of any kind. An occasional boundary strike while Willis was bowling, temporarily brightened tho play, and'each hit was most lustily cheered, but the scoring soon slackened again. The visitors brilliance wa,s very patchy. Soon after tea, Hobbs lost liis wicket being snapped; in the slipt by a smart catch. He gave some chances. He was hatting 230 minutes and his score included eight fours. It was notable for a display of orthodox cricket, and was oliarcterised by solid strokes on both sides of the wicket. Despite tli 0 periods of adverse barracking, Hobbs received a magnificent ovation on his return to the pavilion. His wicket cost Ryder 44 runs. The Victorians fielding was inconsistent throughout, becoming slack. Mayne was particularly faulty. Hearno gave a sharp chance when 66 to McDonald in the slips off Lampard, tho stroke producing a couple. Hearno earned cheers for dasliinglj driving Park over the boundary for six. thus being the first six in the match. The third century appeared, in 295 minutes. Hearno had now brightened the scoring considerably, but lie was badly missed by McDonald at mid-on off Lidioutt at 45. Nine bowlers were tried, the best of whom was Lampard, although he was erractic at times. Victoria Ist innings 274 ENGLAND Ist INNINGS. Hobbs, c. Moyes, b. Ryder 131 Russell, c Mullctt, b McDonald 49 Hearne, (not out) 84 Hendren (not out) 77 Extras ■ Total for 2 wickets 345 The fall of wickets wns as follows: 1 for 114, 2 for 232. N.S.W. TEAM. SYDNEY, Nov 14. The team selected to represent the State of N.S.W. against the Englishmen on Friday next is as follows: —Collins Mailey, Oldfield, Andrews, Gregory, Trennery, Taylor McCartney, Kelleway Bardsley and Hendry, with Tozer as twelfth man. LONDON, Nov 12. The “Daily News” deprecates attaching any undine importance to the reported barracking. “The word,” it says has a different meaning, in Australia and in England. The “News” says: “Wo will probably hear much about “barracking” before tlio tour is over.” LONDON, Nov. 13. . The “Daily Clironiclo’s” cricket correspondent, commenting on the spectators bararcking Douglas for one of his l.b.w appeals, says:—“lt isn’t cricket.” Its cricket correspondent adds:—“Judging from the cabled reports, it seems time that tlie Australian authorities took definite steps to suppress such unsportmn.nlike outbursts before tho nervous tension of the tests is reached.”