CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

4UHTUAI.IAN ANI) N.Z. OAIII.E ASSOCIATION ENGLAND'S FIXE STAND. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) SYDNEY. January 2.1. Tlie .“Herald” commenting on the cricket says from the outset, runs came freely. ( hietly through the Ini.sv methods'of Why.snl! who though ill at ease with Mai ley's howling scored froelv by means of drives and one side shots, off Gregory. With Sutcliffe playing, in his customary studiously sound and larclul manner the initial expectations received an encouraging lift, when the unexpected happened. Sutcliffe’s ccutribetinn to the innings was an eminently useful one, the merit of which would not he- overlooked in apportioning credit for the individual performances. Ip'increases his aggregate in this series of tests to .>(10 runs, at the extraordinary high average cl 9-183, truly a remarkable achievement for a player in his first three test matches. Sutcliffe has certainly been caught in Hhe breeze of success hv spreading the sails of patient endeavour and quiet efficiency, hut in doing so he has set up a. standard of achievement that, lie will find very difficult to live up to. Whysnll is not a polished batsman, but what he lacks in that respect he makes up in solidarity and power. He has a peculiar ungainly stand at the wicket, with his feet well apart, and he holds the llat well down towards the blade, while bis stance is suggestive of on side strength. All bis strokes are made with great power and resolution. Even wh-'.i on the defensive _lic l |lts tll ° hall hard. One specially commendable feature of his hatting was his management of Mai ley’s howling. He was alwavs in some difficulty hut refused to he'tempted into indiscretion, keeping his natural tendencies to aggression under restraint all the time. He played a splendid innings, and was a tulle unlucky to lose his wicket to such a fine stroke as the ore from winch la w . ls - aught The splendid partnership of ' Whvsall and Chapman turned the scale ill England's favour. England » (i'-htin" a grim battle and at the close of" the play, the chances tor victory rested with her.

TAILS UP.” (Received this day at. 11.25 a.m.! LONDON, January 83. Mi- Baldwin cabled to Air Gilligaii, wishing him success. Win or lose, w are proud of your wonderful ap-nll tight. . The newspapers are reflecting the intense interest of the sporting public i„ the exciting position ol the te>. match. They describe it as a crucial test for weak hearts, and pay a tiioute to the pluck of Gillignn and I- roe man and the magnificent achievement o Whys.all, and the dare-devilisli of Coupman. Thev speak of the possibility ot al! occurrence of a tie completing the senueneo of broken records .ml " elude that anyhow England can ci.ly he defeated by the narrowest «’FThe lions’ tail is well up and should call “tails” next time 1 * teases, since “tails up,” is clearly England’s motto.

I ORD HAWKE’S COAIAIENT. LONDON. Jhunary 22. ■ The “Evening Standard” states it is not surprised at the English professionals ni Australia protesting against Lord Hawke’s remarks, and says i must he remembered that Lord Hat k s recollection goes back to the times when nine gentlemen employed two

professionals “for what was thou regarded as the tiresome, laborious, business of bowling the other side out.” The newspaper expresses doubt whether Lord Hawke’s speech has done much harm. It considers, on the contrary, it has probably hastened the day when a professional will lead an English team.