CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 January 1925, Page 1

CRICKET.

ENGLISH COMMENT. LONDON, Jan. 23. * Commenting on the test match Lord Harris says: “Wo Tost l>,v pure had luck. It was a magnificent effort. F do not think there is much between the teams. U is largely a matter of the toss. The. weather was on our side more than three years ami ” or.. i .. „

Air Jessup says: “It was a fine efI hut, but the result was disappointing. By the filth game we will perhaps get ns near as possible to heating the Australians.” Me Fonder says: England did remarkably well, r think that it is a groat pity, that having gone so far. we did not have a hit of luck.”

Ike “Evening Standard” savs: Wo lost the toss, g lion half of our howlers, and then the batsmen wore handicapped by minor injuries, and so we lost the game and the rubber. How could we hope to flow on the crest of a wave in the 30tli. game since our last victory. Happily that is past.” Mr Sid Barnes, writing in the “Daily Clironicle,” says: “The shower on Thursday afternoon, though it .unde the wicket easier, proved fatal, as the delay prevented runs being got. Possibly, in a similar case in this country, play would have been continued to a

finish on Thursday. However, it is no good seeking excuses. Our tremendous recovery was distinctly creditable. Although the Australians have thrice had the first use of a perfect wicket, England in two matches scored sufficient to win an ordinary match. The difficulty has boon that Australia has scored with extraordinary freedom.” The newspapers provide a chorus of appreciation ol the magnificent .sporting spirit of tin l Australian crowds, and flic splendid sportsman.shin of the foa.n They also rejoice that England’s prowess has boon regained. Mr P. I’’. ’Warner, in the “M orninir ! Post,” sjivs :—”| nin terribly disappointed, lmt T think we are quite as Rood as the Australians. Our position has boon consistent, and. in that < m:ncetion, we must heartily coimratuhite {.he Australians. Our position has been retrieved so as f?> justify optimism for 1 wish I.aiicashm* would do something fu restrain Parkin in his writing. Me is a nice man and an amusing follow, but lie occasionally loses that loyally and generosity of spirit which should ho a common bond between oriekelers. \ have no ohjcclhm to a man like Hobbs ea Pin lhe *ddo. and I am convinced that Lord I lau ko did not intend to ;ii lark ihe pmfessiona Is."

Sir Arthur Bcm rofl. iircsiiling ai jhe animal meeting of the Hampshire I Cricket Club, said that, as mi old cricketer, lie regretted the attacks made on Cilligan. No more popular cricketer ever 101 l England, and (here had never boon a cheerier or more optimistic fellow to deal with. The general opinion of cricketers was that vhe attack on Gillican was ill-advised, lie (Kir A. Eenerofl) believed that, if Cilligan had won the loss England would have been three matches up instead of three down. Tennyson was re-appointed- captain ol the Hampshire Club. LONDON. .Tan. 23. The ‘‘Standard” says: “We have a most profound admiration for Hobbs, and others advancing in athletic years, hue wo want more men of the stamp of Sutcliffe, Tate, Chapman and Freeman. Wo must discover more howlers, liecause there are none left in England who should have, accompanied Oilligan. We hope io prove our supremacy against Australia here in 1920. I lie “Sandaril’s” London diarist writes: “Nobody, at least at present, wants to depose Cilligan as captain, hut the day when a professional will lead England, has been brought appreciably nearer by ‘the opinion of Lord Forster. Tho writer adds: “A\arner’s and .Tessop’s opinion easily outweighs Lord Hawke’s. After all. Sutcliffe led troops in the field, and why not. cricketers.”

DEFEAT NOT BITTER. (I{e"eived this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, .January 2(5. The “Observer,” in an editorial, says: “ Though England was defeated, the taste ot defeat is not bitter. We have seen two teams [day hard, unyielding and chivalrous crivket. The Englishmen have shown qualities which another day will make them victorious. Nobody has shown a more heartier appreciation of this than the Australian spectators. We regret any provocation that has been drawn from Lord Hawke’s comments, which have justly raised a storm of protest. So far from believing that it will be had when a professional leads England, we believe the distinction of the status of professionals and amateurs will be preserved in the score sheets and elswhere. It is obsolete and ought to disappear. AA’e did not discriminate between the men who fought for Eiioland and we should not differentiate between men playing for her. If cricket and democracy are divorced the great days of cricket will be finished.”

VICTORIA A'. N.S.AV. SYDNEY. Jan. 24. The Sheffield ‘Shield match. New South AA’ales v. A’ictorin, was commenced yesterday in fine weather on a good wicket. New South "Wales sent its second eleven into the field, ns the other players have not yet returned from Melbourne. New South AA'nles in the first innings put on 393 for 2 wickets. Hock is not out for 187. Morgan made 87, and Kippax is not out for 93. The batting was surprisingly good. Hook, Morgan and Kip pax giving a wonderful display. The fielding was lamentable, all three having several lives.

AYELLTNGTON v. AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. Jan. 24. The Plunket Shield match ' between Wellington and Auckland was continued yesterday. "Wellington, who made 310 for six wickets on the first day. carried their total to 444, Collins making 172. The seventh wicket partnership between Collins and Prince produced 95. Prince made 35. Auckland opened their innings with Anthony and Horspool, who made a great stand, and compiled 200 runs, batting soundly and carefully throughout. Anthony made a century without living a chance. Stumps were drawn

THIRD TEST. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION COMMENT OX TEST. SYDNEY. Jan. 21.

The “Herald” commenting on the cricket, says it has been a wonderful match throughout, worthy of being classed among the greatest in the history ot test cricket. The test was waged with commendable spirit and determination on both sides, characterised mainly by surprising changes in the fortunes of the game, by some memorable performances with bat and ball, by the plucky, up-hill fight of the Englishmen, and by the extraordinary interest it aroused. The intervention of rain gave England a chance which was availed of to a surprising degree. Australia wore clearly outplayed after the rain. On flic whole, the English fielding was better than the Australian. Soo too was the hatting. On the side of leadership and tactics, tlie advantage was with the Australians. So was the general fortune. Apart from that of actual play, the honours of the “aim- are very evenly divided. The margin of victory represents the difference fairly accurately except that it should have been the other way round. Though the English team were not actually successful, it deserved success.

for the day with Auckland’s total 221 for two wickets, the not out batsmen being Sneddon and (Smith. Details aie: Wellington Ist. Innings:—Hiddleston 01, McGirr 2(5, Berimu 29, Collins 172, Prince 35, Dareley 20.—Total 444. Auckland. Ist. Innings:—Horspool 89, Anthony 100. Sneddon (not out) 10. Smith (not out) 5. Total for two wickets 221. Rain fell to-day and the prospects for to-morrow are not bright.