CRICKET. AUSTRALIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN.

VICTORIA MAKE MEDIOCRE SCORE.

I AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION]

MELBOURNE, Feb 5

The State cricket match against England commenced in good weather on a sound wicket, but-in the presence of a poor attendance of the public. 'May lie won the toss and opened his innings with Sandford, against Hitch and Douglas. The spectators were hostile to Mayne ,who took Armstrong’s position. Play was dull at the start, though Mayne batted with confidence, scoring a beautiful four off Douglas. Sandford was never easy and was soon clean bowled by Hitch.

Park made a poor display and was caught in the slips by Hendren. Ryder batted freely, but was lifting the Mall too high. Mayne, after giving a good display was howled by Hitch, the hall coming off his pad. Sixty minutes’ play produced 4.5. runs. 'Woolley got l’onsford in in the first over. Ryder and Keating improved the score, and at the luncheon adjournment four wickets were down for 87.

Douglas and Hitch took up the howling on resuming and Keating was out in the first over to Hitch. Ferguson followed and gave a short but bright display. Hitch was bowling extremely well, having secured four wickets for 26 runs. Davis, who was making his first appearance in big cricket batted well. Ryder brought up his 50 with a good four. Then Woolley tempted him, and h 0 hit higli and was caught. Davis continued to hit freely, and Grimmett was hatting nicely, till Davis was smartly caught at the wickets. McDonald, taking risks. Hit Wilson twice over the fence.

Wilson, when bowling came in for a lot of chaff from the spectators. Douglas changed the bowhys frequent, but McDonald continued to score rapidly, until Rhodes beat bini and got his wicket. Following are the scores VICTORIA,—First innings. Mayne. b. Hitch Sandford, b. Hitch 3 Park, c. Hendren, b. Douglas - Ryder, c. and b. Woolley 34 Ponsford, c. Hobbs, b. ... 6 Keating, c. Douglas, b. H itch 15 Ferguson, c. Dolphin, b. Hitch ... 6 Davies, c. Dolphin, I). Douglas ... 61 Ellis, st. Dolphin, b. Parkin 8 Grimmett (not out) dl McDonald, b. Rhodes U Extras Total Hobbs and Rhodes started for England at 5.30 McDonald and Ryder being the bowlers. Playing against time Hobbs lost his wicket a few minutes before stumps were drawn for the day. KN G LAND -First I» nings. Hobbs,*e. Ellis, b. Ryder I '2 Rhodes, (not out) 0 Total for 1 wicket '' There was great indignation at Armstrong’s exclusion, and a monster meeting will be held outside the ground tomorrow. Woodbury was dropped out of the team at the last moment. The Victorian wickets fell as follows: 1 for 13, 2 for 26, 3 for 38, 4 for 59, 5 for 92, 6 for 106, 5 for 136, 8 for 150, 9 for 213. Bowling analysis: Hitch 4 for 28. Douglas 2 for 58. Parkin 1 for 59. Wool | ( >y o fOl . r>7. Wilson (i for 34, Rhodes 1 for 19.

SAILS FOR NEW ZEALAND

SYDNEY, Feh. 3. The Australian cricketers touring New Zealand sailed hv the Manuka. NEW SOI Til WALES TEAM. SYDNEY, Eeh. 3. The selectors have picked the New South Wales team to meet England on the 18th ns follows: - Collins (captain), Macartney, Kellaway, Dldiield, Bardsley, Andrew, Gregory, Mailev, Invlor, Hendry and Punch with Arnott as twelfth man. RULES EOlt UMPIRES. LONDON, Feh 3. Marylebone has circularised tho umpires, pointing out that owing to the starting of cricket matches on Saturday, it lias become a recognised custom to mow the pitch on Monday. Empires will he required to ho present. They are also informed that they must not oil any account discuss decisions with players. Marylebone has decided that an umpire may stand on the off side ol a batsman at the wicket with the permission of the fielding sides captain. THE FIRST TEST. CRITICISM BY HOBBS, ißeceived this day, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, February f Hobbs in a letter to the “Star” says regarding the first test we were disgusted at the extremely poor show we made. The Australians were much stronger

than we expected. The new style of fielding had a great deal to do with the excessively slow play, noticeable in all our chief games. It is natural Uni j a man representing his country should | try to take root at the wicket until ihe ■ ball becomes as big as a cabbage, but , taking six days to decide a match does not fit in with my ideas of cricket. : Despite (lie fact that I have taken up cricket as a profession, I have always regarded it primarily as a game. These

is not. too much good ill remaining at the wickets without scoring. Probably cricket is played in the best spirits in English local matches, which are decided by half past six, and five hundred runs are not unusual ip 45 hours play.