CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 May 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

| [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. AUSTRALIA V. M.C.C. LONDON. May 18. The start was delayed until 12. lo 'Hie wicket is soft and outfield dead The bowlers’ run was plentifully padded with sawdust. LONDON, May 13. AUSTRALIA—First 1 linings. Mailey, e Franklin, b Haul 2] Oldfield, o. Carr, b, Haig 21 Bardsley. It. Haig 11 Collins, b. Astill 33 Macartney st. Franklin, b. Haig 01 AA'oodfull, b. Haig 0 Taylor b. Falcon 0 Ryder 1). Haig 20 Gregory, e Kennedy, b Astill ... 30 Ponsford (not out) 110 Richardson (not out) 50 Extras 17 Total, for f) wickets (innings declared closed) 383 Bowling.—Falcon, 1 for 00; Stevens, 0 for 75; Haig. 0 for 102; Kennedy, 0 for 09; Astill, 2 for Of). M.C.C.—First Innings 199 MAR A’LEBONE—Second Innings. Macßryan, c AA’oodfull, b Ryder ... 2 Stevens, b Ryder 1 Heudren, e Oldfield, b Ryder I I Carr, e and b Mailev 31 Chapman (not out) 21 Foster, b Ryder '. 3 Astill (not out) 1 . Extras 2

Total for 5 wickets 81 Bowling.—Gregory, 0 for 29; Ryder, I for 29; Mailey, 1 for 23. The match was drawn. LONDON, May 18.

The attendance at tlie cricket was five thousand. After passing the half century, Ponsford showed a tendency to hit out. He was assisted by the slippery ball which was handicapping the bowlers. Richardson when five made a streaky return but Haig was unable to get back owing to the slippery turf. Ponsford continued steadily, gathering in well placed singles. He found a difficulty in getting through the field though he sometimes succeeded with pulls. He' scored three, two and four off Haig in one over. Richardson made some big hits, especially off Astill. The resumption of play after lunch was delayed owing to rain. Ponsford at this stage was over anxious to reach the century, and made many risky strokes. He was several times beaten by the hall, but was very lucky. Richardson played stylishly and scored mainly with pretty leg strokes and forceful driving. The A’ietorian eventually reached the century after a succession of singles in 210 minutes. Shortly afterwards Richardson sent his fifty up, and Collins declared the innings closed. Ponsford’s share included eight fours and Richardson five. The partnership put on 119. The poor light affected this, nevertheless their time of scoring was excellent, except during the risky period in the middle of Ponsford’s innings. Kennedy and Astill •wore always difficult to play and both were unlucky in not getting wickets. Ma.ig and Stevens did not reach the previous day’s standard of howling.

Marvlebono made a sensational opening in the second innings. Gregory ami Ryder howled and two wickets fell in the latter’s first over, the score then being three and Ryder’s average 2 for 1. M.neljrvaii hit a long hop from Ryder and was magnificently caught by AA'oodfull at deep square leg. Stevens fell a victim to Ryder’s third ball. Hendreii played steadily and took no chances. Gregory’s many enticing off balls being allowed to pass. Carr after ,i doubtful opening settled down in orthodox style and piled up liis score quickly, sending both Gregory and Mailev to the boundary. Hendreii went out to a very soft catch by Oldfield. Chapman played a bright game and excelled in placing shots. Ryder moved the whole field except midoii to the off side and Chapman then turned him nicely to leg. Carr was well held by .Mailey, who took a hot return high with liis left hand. Ho hit four fours Chapman played stylishly, hitting till round. ' ENGLISH COMMENT. LONDON, May 17. Colonel Trevor, in the “ Daily Telegraph.” writes; ‘‘The Australians are learning, to their cost, what the British weather can do in.the way of cold and poor light. Fortunately, the spectators were favoured with two of the highest-class exhibitions of cricket, Macartney’s batting and Haig’s bowling. Macartney’s placing of the ball on the on-side, especially to leg, was a joy to watch. It mattered not where fieldsmen stood. Ntf other howler except Haig worried the Australians. Haig seemed to lie doing a little swinging, but his success was due to a well-concealed change of pace and an almost faultless length. The Australian batting was always confident. There was no poking and feeling for the hall.”

Afr R. F. AA’arher, in the “ AToming Post,” states:—“The Afarylehone team ought to have made a larger total. Tlieir collapse was due to sheer bad batting. No one seemed able to exploit the 011-drive. No one jumped out and hit. Richardson howled unchanged for four hours. Asked at the end of the day if he were tired, he said : “ Not in the least, being accustomed to this sort of thing in 120 degrees at Adelaide.” Chapman’s was a most creditable innings, as he was engaged until Thursday m unloading frozen meat at Dover. He had not touched a hat this season. -Macartney's fine play was ns mucli in evidence'ns in 1021. Haig always had the batsman fighting for runs.”

CAAIBRIDGF, TEAM. LONDON. Aray 18. The Cambridge team against the Australians to-morrow will be Esthoven (rapt.), Dawson, Afeyer, Duleel'singliyi, .Tagger, Lowe, Alachin. Irvine, Turnbull. Inglis and Robbins.