CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

[Reuter Telegrams.] AGAINST SOUTH OF ENGLAND. COMMENT ON THE PLAY. LONDON, May 27. The Australians are pleased with having dismissed so strong a side as that at Bristol for such a score. Only once were the bowlers mastered, when Chapman and Ilendreii were associated. The Australian success is likely to cause the English selectors anxiety. Chapman’s innings was delightful, his cutting and driving being excellent. He seems certain of a test place. Hendron was painfully slow. Jf the batsmen are all like him, it will mean that the tests will never finish. The tail-enders failed, five wickets falling alter tea for eleven inns. Macartney was the mainstay of the bowling, and was always troublesome. The Englishmen lost many runs owing to had running. Collins was unlucky to be dismissed in the last over. He appealed again the light when the umpire said one more over. Everett’s omission seems to indicate that the Australians will not have two fast howlers in the test team. Trevor, in the “ Daily Telegraph,” says; “Chapman’s innings was the best thus far played against the Australians. The quality of the Australian bowling depends entirely on one’s viewpoints. Dulecpsinghi met it cheer-

fully, Chapman made it appear desper ntolv easy; others, who stayed suffi-

ciently long to give any impression made it appear difficult.” The “ Daily Mail’s ” cricket critic

says; “The wicket was easy and yet ’or nearly three hours, the Englishman lingered at the crease with an air ol

apprehension painful to witness. Apparently, like the batsmen of 1921. they saw “ danger ” written behind every Australian bowler in letters of fire ; yet when Chapman found the field placed to block offside shots he pulled and hooked. He saw no red light behind the Australians’ arms. Ilemlren and Chapman completely collared the howling, showing the weakness of which the Australian ’ critics forewarned us at the time of selection.” LONDON, May 27. AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, b. Fender 9 Macartney, b Parker 7

Woodful, st. Strudwick b. Gibson 69 Taylor, c. Meyer b. Parker 16 Ponsford, e. Strudwick b. Meyer 23 Andrews (not out) 74 Gregory, o. Sand ham It. Gibson ... 13 Ryder, (not out) 19S Extras Total for six wickets 328 Stumps were drawn. RYDER IN GOOD FORM. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 28. The weather was threatening when play was resumed and the wicket soft as a result of rain overnight. The

attendance was large. Parker proved expensive in the opening over but he kept Macartney on the defensive, finally beating him in the third over when attempting a swing to leg. Taylor soon attacked Parker’s bowling sending him to leg for four and two in the first over. Woodful on the contrary, was unable to do anything with this bowler, but survived an appeal for leg before off him when thirty-one. Parker provided plenty of pitfalls, varying the break and gaining pace from the pitch with, every ball. Gibson kept a good length hut was not difficult. Meyer, who replaced Gibson, proved expensive. both Wood fill and Ponsford gathering a number of singles off him. One hundred appeared lor 105 minutes batting. Fender then replaced Parkei ami the batsmen became freer and hit the bowling around strongly. Fender especially suffering. The batsmen gained many quick runs between the wickets. With the last ball before lunch Ponslord tried to glance it to leg and Strudwick snapped it up. 'I he board then showed 131 for 4. Gibson took up the attack on the resumption of play and at the thiul ball Woodful reached forward and dragged his foot over the crease and was smartly stumped. His had been a chanceless innings of 125 minutes, in which bo showed powerful driving and leg strokes. He hit five fours. The total at this time was unaltered from the lunch figures. Gregory did not stay long. In the first over he hit Gibson to the leg boundary and straight drove him twice to the boundary and at the third attempt was superbly taken by Sandlmm, who. running at top speed, had to jump to make the catch. The score was then 151 'for 6.

Movers bowling improved but be bad little luck. Ryder started off with three off Meyer and proceeded to hit out freely, giving Sandlin m in the longficld plenty of work. Ibe latter’s fielding was a feature, saving many runs. Stevens was played very easily. Ins bowling having no length and four overs yielded twenty-three, largely to the credit of Ryder who continued strongly on the leg side. Andre"s "as more careful than bis colleague. He timed his shots well on. the leg side and drove strongly to mid-off. Ryder when forty-two gave a difficult chance high to Stevens at short leg off Gibson. The batsman celebrated bis reprieve by driving the next ball out of the ground. Both continued brightly. Ryder was in a scoring mood and bit out at everything, but was badly beaten twice bv Gibson. Then lie nearly cleared the ring. He also hit three fours off Fonder. When fifty-three Andrews hit a ball hard into Stevens’ hands at short leg, but it was dropped. As lie approached the century Ryder became quieter and played more soundly. He made a couple of lucky snicks in the early nineties mistiming drives off Fender, and reached the hundred through an overthrow following on a quick single, after being at the crease for 115 minutes. Andrews when 73 had a lucky escape, Strudwick badly missing a catch and a chance to stump him off Parker.

Rain at the tea adjournment delayer

a resumption and then after two overs further rain compelled the abandonment of play for the day.