CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIA V. M.C.C. LONDON, Alay 17. The wuiillkt is cold and throntoning. Australia lias one wicket down for 12. ALC.C.—First Innings. AlaelJrynn, e Wood full, b Gregory . '■ Stevens, e and b Richardson 71 Hendrou. h Richardson 33 Carr, e ami b Richardson 5 Dhnpman, o Ryder, b Collins 51 Astill, 1.b.w., b Collins 3 Foster, 1.b.w.. b Richardson H Haig, c Gregory, b Collins 1 Falcon, (not out) LI Kennedy, 1.b.w.. It Richardson 0 Franklin, e Oldfield, h Richardson 0. Extras 2 | Total ........ 199 Bowling analysis.—Gregory I lor -20. | Macartney 0 lor 14. Richardson 0 fori >ls, Collins 3 for 3D. AUSTRALIAX— First Innings. Mailcy. c Franklin, b Maid -1 Oldfield, c. Carr. b. TTaig 21 Bardslcy. b. Haig 11 C’nlliii.s. b. Astill • 93 Macartney st. Franklin, b. Haig 01 Wood Dill. b. Haig 0 Taylor b. Falcon 9 Pension! (not out) Ryder It. Haig 90 Gregory, e Kennedy. It Astill 30 Richardson (not out) n Extras 12 Total for !) wickets 2(14 Stumps were drawn. (Received this dav at 12 noonV LONDON. -May 13. The attendance was 10,000, including the Prince of Wales. Alalley’s batting was particularly bright but the bowlers quickly found length and compelled caution. Falcon was twice unlucky in not getting Oldfield’s wicket. Bardslcy before he scored gave a chance at tho wicket off Haig. Oldfield played attractively in front of the wicket and made a couple of lucky snicks. Then in attempting a third he was smartly taken at second slip by Carr. Collins made a quick start, bitting Haig to leg for four and two in the first over. Bnrdsley when four was given the benefit of a doubt of a confident appeal j for stumping off Kennedy. He gave another chance tit eleven oil Haig, and was beaten by tjic next ball bv an excellent off break which just removed the bails. Stevens relied oil an effective break from leg and Haig mixed tiie pace and break well. Collins at thirteen lifted Stevens to the square leg boundary over the iit-ad of Hendren who made a desperate, unsuccessful effort to reach it. ALacartney played steadily all round the wicket and severely punished over-pitched balls from Stevens, who was erratic and expensive. He reached fifty in forty-five minutes. Both he and Collins played very freely and gained many runs from powerful straight drives. Collins was completely- deceived by ’ an apparently straight ball from Astill, which broke a foot from, the off. He hit three fours and played soundly. After his dismissal the batting slackened. Macartney played the howling confidently, hut was unable to penetrate the field. He was eventually smartly stumped in jumping .out to drive Haig. His score included five fours. His partnership with Collins yielded eiglity-two. Taylor when three made a hard drive which Falcon dropped at silly point. Kennedy and Haig kept Taylor and Ponsford on the defensive by the best howling phase of the day. .Bad light and heavy clouds added to the difficulties fif the batsmen and play was temporarily adjourned. Ponsford got in good strokes off the middle of the bat and straight drove each bowler to the boundary a few minutes after the resumption and play was then again adjourned for Hie same cause. The crowd became impatient, demanding a continuation of the play, which was resumed at 5.15. Kennedy and Falcon immediately found their length, forcing the batsmen to the defensive, though nine was knocked off Falcon ir one over. He was unluekly in not obtaining a wicket. Ponsford hit witl more certainty and power as time pro pressed. Ryder succumbed to a splen did in-swinger from Haig. Gregor; put new life into the game by le{ glancing Kennedy nicely and sending , Haig to leg for two, four and three, ii

one over. Ponsford was not aggressive but safe. Gregory was taken at’midoff after twenty-five minutes. He hit five fours. The fielding was clean and smart, notably Hendrejj, and. Franklin