CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1925, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. 1 HOBBS’ 12(!th CENTURY. LONDON, August 17. The intense interest in Hobbs’ luck was revealed in a queue at Taunton Oval at seven in the morning. The ground was packed very early, and the gates bad to bo closed. Hobbs began with two cautious singles. He next swept a no-ball to the boundary, and then added two singles, making his score 99. The crowd’s silence was uncanny, and almost oppressive. Hobbs, through either anxiety or nonchalance, stepped out and patted the wicket. Then he faced Bridges, who swings in. The first bail lie turned quickly to log for a single, and the crowd broke out in a tumult of cheering. The Somerset. players crowded iu to offer persona I congratulations. Hobbs supported himself on bis bat, and showed his emotion by repeatedly wiping bis forehead. The climax was a memorable scene. Fender made his appearance with a glass of champagne, which Hobbs raised as a token of friendship to the crowd, and then drained it off. The interruption ami excitement had a swift anti-climax. Hobbs, after adding a single, snicked one into the wick-et-keeper’s bands. He again received an ovation all the way to the pavilion.

Hobbs, in an interview said: “The •Somerset players were deadly iu earnest till the end. Even the ball from which f made the century was not a gift, but I was then easier and more confident limn at the beginning. I admit. I felt a thrill a.s I quietly turned the ball to leg. J am proud to have equalled the grand old man’s record.” The “ Evening Standard ” recalls that \Y. G. Grace was playing for 40 seasons in England and two in Australia, whereas Hobbs has been playing only seventeen seasons in England and six in Australia and Africa, draco completed 13112 innings fur 51,3-lfi runs and Hobbs 912 innings for -12.307 runs. Press editorials pay a tribute to Hobbs. The ■' Daily Telegraph” recalls bis nine centuries against Australia. and says; " Great mother of batsmen though she is, even Australia lias nolle superior to .Jack Hobbs—not even Victor Trumpet- himself. It. is not merely that be. is an artist at the wicket, not merely that be has such perfect, .strokes—it is rather that lie has al! the strokes. When Hobbs lints there is butsniaiisliip.” The “ .Morning Post ” reviewing Hobbs’ qualities, says finally: "He is a complete sportsman, and we. at any rate, should not feel that that the cosmos would become a chaos if lie captained England in a test match.” HOURS SECURES ANOTHER. LONDON, August Is. Iloblis has seared aunl her hundred, unfinished. LONDON. August 18. Tlie completion of Iloblis’ century drew an ovation from, the crowd in front of the pavilion who insisted on a speech. Hobbs said: —“I am very happy indeed to have achieved a life long ambition in beating the record of Dr Grace. I would dearly have loved to have made these two centuries on the Oval. Next to Hint there is no County I would have preferred to score 11 1< • 111 against than Somerset." The crowd surged in tin* pavilion, the cheering lasting a quarter of an hour. SENSATIONAL FINISH. LONDON. August 18. The sensation of to-day’s cricket was Yorkshire's victory against Sussex. The latter required II! runs, wit It 8 wickets in hand. They still bad fi wickets left at. lunch time when only forty were needed. Then a startling change took place. Maenulnv became deadly and look four wickets in quick succession. Kilner interposed and look one and then Macaulay finished the innings. The last six wicket* cost only seventeen runs.