CRICKET NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1920, Page 3

CRICKET NEWS.

AUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] TEST COMMENT. (Received This Day at 11.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, Dccemlier 23. The attendance at the five days cricket totalled 102,000 and the - gate was £10,386 sterling. The “Telegraph” states England’s innings is not worth discussing Rhodes alone playing enterprising cricket., Judged by the standard of his colleagues, his innings was a masterpiece. The best we can say of the Englishmen is that they fought to the end, but not in a generous mood, several disputing decisions, which went on to the end of the , match. They did not show first class cricket, and forced the opinion that England was not worth 300 runs in any one innings. Parkin was a failure, and never looked like bowling anyone. Tlie “Herald” says Australia collectively and industrially, outplaeyd England this time, hut though the margin of victory was tremendous, it is not to be taken as a criterion of the remainder of the series. It has previously happened that the English were outplayed in the first match and won the rest. England lost the match on Satu/rd|ay when batting. They got into difficulties with Mailey and thence the victory of Australia seemed assured. Missed chances contributed to the victory, as Collins, Macartney and Kellaway, were allowed to compile scores which should have been reduced fifty | per cent. Tho writer pays a fine eu- j logy to Hobbs, who ranks with the J greatest players of the past, and prophesies renown for Gregory and Mai- j ley, ns first class bowlers. The best team on the day, won all along the line. Douglas’s team is yet I>elow its proper form. Neither side is as good as 1911-12. All have deteriorated, which is due to the absence of serious cricket

team on the day, won all along the line. Douglas’s team is yet below its proper form. Neither side is as good as 1911-12. All have deteriorated, which is due to the absence of serious cricket during tho war. The Australian batsmen gave a good sound defensive display. Armstjrong’s innings was the most polished display of the match. Seldom, if ever, have they seen a better performance. Wilson (vice-captain) wlio cabled to London criticising the decision re AVaddington’s run out has apologised to the umpire, Mr Jones, for tho severity of bis comments.

A DISPUTED RUN OUT. nieceived this day at lif .25 p.m! SYDNEY, This Day. The AVaddington run out incident, led to much comment. AVaddington disputed the decision with the umpire, Mr Jones, whose ruling was widely questioned. ' AA r ilson’s cable describes tho decision as shameful. LONDON, December 22. The newspapers, unite in a chorus of praise for the Australians batting, particularly Armstrong’s. The “TpneS” ■ describes it as the most brilliant of the match and the greatest he has ever displayed. Other papers liken Armstrong to Dr. W. G.Grace. Despondency is expressed as to England’s prospects in the remaining tests on account of Australia’s batting strength. (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dee. 22. Tho ‘‘Guardian” says the English team is absurdly below its true form. An ordinary county eleven could hardly have fared worse. The “Evening- News” says the Aus-

tralians were superior in every department except fielding.