CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] AGAINST LEICESTER. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LOtsDON, .May 3. For the Leicester match omit Woodful, Richardson, Hendry and Ellis, and for Leicester Lord -is included instead of Armstrong. CENTURY FOR GREGORY. (Received this day at 9.0 a.m.) LONDON, -May 3. AUSTRA 1.1 A—First Innings. Collins, c and 1> Geary 43 Bardsley, b Bale 33 .Macartney, b Bale 2 Taylor, c Shipman, !> Skelding ... 19 Ryder 1.b.w., b Bale 16 Ponsford, c Geary, b Skelding ... 56 Andrews, l> Skelding 8 Gregory (not out) 102 Oldfield, b Skelding ... 0 Everett, b Skelding 8 Grimmett (not out) 9 Total for 9 wickets 305 THE PLAY DESCRIBED. [Reuter Telegrams.] (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 3. There was an attendance of 10.000 and the wicket was fairly good and the weather line. Collins won the toss and opened with Bardsley to Skelding and Geary. Bardsley knocked three off Geary in the first over this being the only scoring stroke in the first five overs. Bardsley bad a narrow escape in Geary’s second over, nibbling dan-

gerously at an oil hall. Runs came slowly. Bardsley scored the first boundary by square culling Geary. The batsmen were taking no risks and waiting for loose balls. When the total was lift.v-four liardsley was bowled by a huge turn from leg. Macartney suffered the same late two balls later. The feature to this stage Was

the unexpected success of Bale, whose performances hitherto were not inspiring. Taylor opened shakily and when nictccn essayed a low drive which was well held at short leg by Shipman. Frequent changes in the bowling were made. Collins was batting patiently but the crowd was impatient, and there were many exhortations to him to hit. They cheered when lie scored a gentle single and renewed it vigorously when Geary held a hot return. Collins occupied the crease for three hours and hit four fours. Rons ford and Andrews at tempted to force the game but the fielding was very keen throughout. Gregory was shaky in the first over. He twice nibbled at Skekling’s fast, short volleys and they nearly got him out. The game then became brighter, Gergory imparting much needed life, after a series of big hits from which onlysingles resulted. Ponsford when forty, two was badly missed by Skelding at inid-on, off Lord. Gregory- was simi-

larl.v missed off Shipman in the next over. Gregory scored three boundaries in succession off Skelding and in the same over Ponsford snicked a fast ball into the hands of Geary at second slip. The partnership added 102 before it was dissolved.

Kellewav, in tlio “ Daily Express,’ declares the wicket was good, giving an opportunity to attempt something

like batting. Nevertheless, the batting after lunch was dull, neither Collins

nor Taylor showing any enterprise. The Ponsford-Gregory- partnership was easilv the brightest. LONDON. Aln.v 3.

In the closing statues there was excitement over Gregory in the race against time to reach the century before play stopped. He laslied out, scoring four, six and four off successive balls off Geary and won the race by sending the last ball of the day to log, a boundary Hit, the crowd according him an ovation. Gregory gave a magnificent display of forceful driving and clean cutting.

COMMENT ON PLAY. LONDON. May 3

The Australians were very gloomy when half the team were dismissed for 118, but they made a splendid recovery, owing to Gregory hatting in his best style. He was in difficulties only a few times and was in marked contrast to the earlier 'batsmen, who were unable to play with confidence, obviously still feeling the effects of the short practice. They were unanimous in describing the pre-lunch wicket ns funny. Good liovling, backed by fine fielding made the runs hard to get. Collins commented that lie did not expect to meet better bowling anywhere. Another Australian expressed the opinion that Leicester would win the County championships if their hatting was equal to their howling. Col lins’ slow play prompted ironical ap plane, hut it appeared as though he was seeking match practice. It had been arranged for the players to go to London per motors in the event of a strike. Six cars hnve been placed by the owners at tr.eir disposal for the remainder of the tour. Capt. Trevor writing in the “Daily Telegraph” states that despite the performance of Gregory and Ponsforcl, the Australians disappointed their admirers at Leicester. Their batting was slow, without being easy, cramped and without confidence. Tho majority hugged their hats to their legs, and made no effort to place the hall between the fieldsmen. Tt is difficult to believe that the majority of the men have been playing in test cricket for half a dozen years. They obviously are not enamoured of slow wickets. Lacey (Secretary of the Mnrylebone Clum) stated to-day: “So far as w© can say at present we have no intention to al|ow cricket to be interrupted bv the strike.”