CRICKET NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1926, Page 3

CRICKET NEWS.

1 (Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] MIDDLESEX MA'lCll, (Received this day at 8 a.m.) 3 LONDON, May 31. 1 Tho weather' was warm and cloudy and wicket good. Durston and Haig 1 comnifneed the attack, Andrews quickly pined in, superbly pulling Durs- ' ton to Jog in the second over for a boundary, followed by a similar boundary from Haig, whom he drove twice to the on for four. Taylor sent up four hundred with a lucky leg boundary from Durston. The Australians had then batted 320 minutes. The next ball Taylor wits caught at first slip low down. A USTRALIA —First I linings. Bards Icy, b. Hearne Wood Till, c. Heiidren, b. Durston 3 Macartney c. Tanner b. Haig 44 Collins, e. Tanner, b. Haig 91 Taylor, c. Heudreu b. Durston ... 14 Andrews, c. Stevens b. Allen Hi I Ryder, b. Allen 22 Gregory (not out) 4 QUlfield. 1). Alien 3 Grimmett,' b. Allen 0 Everett, b. Allen 0 Extras 24 Total 489 Bowling: Haig '2 for GO. Durston 2 for 7G, 'fanner 0 for Go, Allen 5 for 03, Stevens 0 for 58. ITearno 1 for 41. Lee 0 for 3. MIDDLESEX Fir.sl Innings. Stevens (not out) 114 Lee, b. Gregory 13 Hearne, b. Gregory 59 Hendren. c. Woodful, b. Everett .. 19 Bruce, b. Everett G Allen, c. and b. Grimmett 11 Mann. e. Andrews, b. Everett ... 5 Extras 0 Total for G wickets 233 Stumps were then drawn. CRTCKKT COMMENT. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, May 31. Allen, the young express bowler silenced the criticism of his selection for the English trial. He was always troublesome and polished off five Australians sensationally, tho last three not costing a run. TTo was bowling better than on Saturday, and bis pace beat the batsmen. Gregory and Everett also disturbed the wickets, which were scattered seven times during the day at tlv.‘ nursery end. where tho batsmen were often patting the wicket. Allen was born in Sydney and came to England in bis boyhood. Ho is a real Cotter, but less sturdy. The Australian howling was cohered in the Heamo-Stevens partnership. Belli batsmen were very steady and look" like lasting for a week. Everett was disappointing at the first try, hut was better at the second. He needs, however to improve. It, seems clear from the match, that if the wickets are good the scoring in the tests will be exceptionally heavy, and no results will bo achieved. LONDON. May 31.

The attendance at Lords to-day fifteen thousand. Andrews hatted for 195 minutes. When 158 lie was badly missed at the stumps when going out to one from Stevens. His is the best knock of tlio tour, crisp and brilliant with a. larger variety of stroke than hitherto. He hit twenty-two fours Stevens howling was poor. He was unable to find his length. Gregory and Ryder played attractively, both sending Allen to the boundary. Ryder gained many runs from neat leg glances. He then succumbed to a manifioent ball from Allen, wldcli swung in low. Gregory punished Haig severely hitting him for a six. four and one. in one over to leg, and tho next over o(f the same howler he knocked four, two, four, and six. Allen secured Oldfield’s and Grimmett's wickets with bulls similar to the one which ho dismissed Ryder. Gregory’s score included two sixes and six fours. Allen’s average to-day was 5 for 30.

Gregory and Macartney' opened the howling when Middlesex writ Stevens and Lee in. When lie had two on the hoard, Stevens sent an apparently’ easy return low to Gregory which the latter failed to hold. Gregory’s length was variable and the ball was rising dangerously. Both batsmen played him easily, giving Bardslev on tho leg boundary plenty of work. Neither was so sure when facing Macartney, being unable to judge bis break. Grimmett’s idle was a material factor in keeping down runs. He sent down three successive maidens to Hearne, who was safe, but unable to get him away. Everett could not find his length, the balls mostly pitching short. Hearne dealt with long hops effectively.

After tea, Grimn’iOtt’s length became slacker, and tbe batsmen did not hesitate to take advantage thereof. When the total was 126, Ilearue tried to turn Gregory to leg, blit missed the ball which removed his bails. He played solidly for two hours and hit five fours. He exhibited clean cutting, His partnership with Stevens added 108 to the total.

Stevens drove Griinmctt powerfully * to the leg and off boundaries. Tbe fielding generally was of a bigli order. Ryder’s pace was slow. He relied largely on tbe leg break. H.mdren played freely, but had a lucky eeape when 16. Bardsley and Andrews both attempting a catch off Macartney and collided. He was eventually held by Wood fill at point, from a hard cut. Stevens batting streaky. In a se- 1 conil spell with the ball Everett im- 1 proved his lentil which was more consistent. blit bo Atdl lacked sting. SV?veils on reaching tbe century after three and a-lialf hours’ batting was heartily congratulated all round. A feature of the Australian innings was the number of no balls, over a dozen being bowled on Saturday and more today, some oi which wore sent- to the boundary. OR ICKET (ON EER ENOE. [“Sydney Sun” Cables.] (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 31. The Imperial cricket conference met at Lords. England, Australia. South Africa, New Zealand. West Indies and India were represented. It unanimous, ly adopted Mr Smith’s resolution in favour of the allotments of more than three days to the tests in England, which should be played out if possible. It was also agreed that five tests should be played as at present. Tt is explained that these do not become law without Marylebone Club's endorsement. The Conference decided that England will visit South Africa during 1926-27 I and South Africa, to pay a return ] visit in 1928. England to visit Australia in 1928-29 and Australia to visit England in 1930. A resolution was carried requesting the Australian-Board of Control to reconsider the proposal of reverting to the six-hall over in tests, thus obtaining uniformity. Tbe Conference re-assembles at ’ Oval on 28th July. i REMARK RESENTED. >■ (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 31. It is understood that a leading