CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

[.Reuter Telegrams.] (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. The attendance was 25,000. Chapman took sometime to play himself in. The score mounted in a long series of singles, towards the Australian total. Hendren broke the spell by cutting an over-pitched ball from Ryder to the boundary. Ho repeated the stroke next ball. Chapman became more vigorous while Hendren developed a Bardsley like leg glance from Ryder, and 380 came up in 385 minutes. Hendren with a couple through the slips from Gregory brought up four hundred in 395 minutes. Richardson was now being played more freely. Hendren when 96 survived a. confident appeal for a catch at the wicket from Gregory. Ho followed it up with an excellent cut to the boundary, niisfielded by Ryder, and made his century in 155 minutes. This was his first test century against Australia. Both batsmen continued strongly. The crowd were surprised when they learned that Carr had declared during lunch, deciding to take the only chance of winning the game and hoping to keep down the Australians’ score. Hcndn?n hit 18 fours and Chapman 5. Tate and Root opened the bowling to Collins, 'who met Carr’s tactics by taking Gregory as an opening partner, reserving Bardsley for later. The innings opened auspiciously for England. Fira overs produced a single and in the sixth Gregory snicked Root into the bands of Sutcliffe at first slip.

Macartney started confidently with three singles, followed by two well-plac-ed boundaries off Tate, and would probably Jin re obtained a third from a hard straight drive, hut the ball uprooted Collins’ log stump. Collins was lucky to be in bis ground, as Tate just touched the ball. When the total was 28 Collins should have been run out by a. smart return bv Larwood. Strudwick, though gathering in quickly, failed to break the wicket. Root kept fi no length and displayed great versatility. When Larwood relieved him he had bowled 9 overs and 0 maidens.

Larwood’s second over was the hottest of the match. He combined pace and siting. Macartney was almost beaten with the third ball, and was very lucky to deflect it just outside the wicket. Collins also misjudged the pace. Larwood continued most effective in keeping Macartney, who was getting the lion’s share of (be bowling, alert, while Collins was 52 minutes without scoring. Macartney continued to get runs when lie obtained the howling, and brought off some magnificent strokes. The crowd began to get caustic with Collins, who was stone-walling. Carr went to silly point, and drew the slips in. A roar of applause greeted Collins when he lifted the ball over the beads of the men to short leg. Chapman converted a single into a boundary by misficjding the ball. After tea Collins and Macartney started brightly, and then the former snicked a fast rising hall from Larwood to Sutcliffe. Collins, exhibiting a dogged effort to save the side, batted 155 minutes. Mncart ney continued his masterly innings and was rarely at a loss except against Larwood, whom he frequently mistimed. Tato was played with ease, Macartney obtaining many runs characteristic of the leg turn off him. He reached the century in 160 minutes.

Andrews started off safely and confidently, utilising his customary off drive to good effect. He mistimed a ball from Root which rolled slowly on to the wicket.

Macartney after passing the century was more nggressivte, especially against Kilner, whom he went out to drive. Root also suffered at his hands, fMfield’s short stay was bright. Tie hf<* developed a powerful drive which is very attractive.

Woodfull lasted only three overs, and was easily caught at mid-on. Stumps were drawn at 6.15. Macartney’s hatting was niagu flcent, hitting to all quarters >f ‘ c field. He was in 205 minutes and his score included twelve fours.

AUSTR A MANS OUTPLAYED. (Received this day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, June 29. Kelleway in the “Daily Express” says the Australians were clearly outplayed. Only time saved then), together with England’s wrong tactics in not hatting more recklessly and faster, especially after the Australians total was exceeded. This afternoon became match practice for the Australians, who were necessarily restrained owing to llardsley’s and Taylor's injuries, which probably would have prevented them from batting. Though a section of the crowd ironically cheered Collins’ defensive piny, no fault could be found with his determination to stay long enough to make defeat impossible. LONDON, Jnno 29.

The “Sketch” says Lords to-day paid the price for time limited tests. Sircc the first day a draw seemed inevitable. Hienee to-day's attendance was depleted by thousands. There were vacant places in all the stands and room for ordinary admission places throughout the day, but those who attended saw more to restore confidence in English criehet than they have for several years. From the Australian standpoint the outstanding feature was the emphasis on Gregory’s decline. What a contrast since 1921. Then he was the terror of English batsmen of the highest class, who were almost beaten by fear before they faced him. To-day 'Englishmen collared his howling completely, and found him the easiest of all Australian howlers. “Who is this new slow howler, Gregory?” asked one critic.

.Tt must be admitted he found neither pace nor length. There were few overs when he did not make a present of one full tosser, which was duly sent to the boundary. Only Dichardson was found troublesome. He alone succeeded in keeping down the runs though he could not take wickets. With the loss of only one wicket to-lay '“~' V N the Englishmen topped the highest '\score ever made at Lords in an AnglojWstralian test. It was a most unexpecfcil turn when Carr declared, tak- • -vlfi&to 1 chance of deciding the match. butXtto Mtornoon Macartney revivified theV Austral, an confidence and showed it "«>>• hA^% who could hit centurie.^*e< innings was faultless, most a delight to watch. I hroughouK. howler troubled him seriously. . Collins determined to make doubly sure and was seen in one of his dourest defensive moods. He took an hour to make fourteen and then tliree-qnnrteis of an hour elapsed without a single scoring stroke. The crowds barracked his every stonewalling tap. but Collins was unperturbed and left Macartney to make the runs while he made sure of a „ draw. When this was assured the later batsmen were sent in in a curious order and there was a merrier time. They took liberties and the result was ' that the last hour was filled with happenings.