CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIAN and N.Z. cable association CRICKET COMMENT. (Received this day at 10.20 a.m.‘, SYDNEY, February 18. The “ Herald ” commenting on the cricket, says the prospects of an English victory were particularly bright when the game was resumed yesterday. The rain had converted the wicket from a batsman's to a bowler’s paradise. This complete change of playing conditions provides the only sound reason for, and a practical example of, the use of tarpaulin covering a wicket. A tarpaulin can he made to fulfil a useful purpose if used with the object of providing the same playing eoudi■fcicins .for both sides throughout a match. Kilncr and Woolley were entrusted with the attack. The former howled much better, keeping a good length with not too much turn either way. Woolley made the hall brfrak too much, and was erratic in his length, with the result that the batsmen received many gifts in the way of short ones to pull to the on side, and over tossed ones to drive. The virtue of Ivilner’s bowling, however, did not seem to be appreciated on the Held, though meeting with success. He was taken off, whilst Woolley was persevered with, to the distinct benefit of the batting side. The chief honours of the play before lunch belong to the batsmen particularly Gregory and Taylor. The partnership of these two was a demonstration of the value of lefthand halting against left-hand howling, on a rain-spoilt wicket. A clear superiority was established over the attack and some tangible atonement was made for the early loss of the wickets of Collins and Bardsley. Taylor played magnificently all day. His natural tendencies to aggression were admirably suppressed and his defence was clever and re sou reel’ll I. Though Australia followed on and although the scoring was low, the honours of 'the day’s play undoubtedly belong to the borne team for whom a big uphill fight is waiting to-day. LONDON, February 17.

Warner, interviewed, said: ” I hope we win, but the match is by no means yet settled. It is dangerous to prophesy where the Australians are concerned. It can he said, however, that England has now got a good team together and we are hopelul that on the Old Country’s varying wickets the Englishmen who have gone so close to winning this tour will gain the rubber

in 102(5. Some leading Australian cricketers, apparently, are dubious of the prospect ol Australia repeating her successes, pointing out the envoiing of the wickets resulted in producing only a good wicket for the batsmen. Certainly the Australians had not shone on a. wet wicket at Adelaide, hut eontrarywise, England might not have done better. My experience ol the Australians is that no matter how difficult the wicket is they always are very adaptable. They have an extraordinary good halting side.”