CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

THIRD TEST. [Reuter Telegrams.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. The weather was sultry and there was some sun. The wicket was good and wearing well. The umpires were half way out to the pitch when they discovered there were no stumps and were obliged to return to the pavilion. Woodfuil and Richardson, on taking tlie field had an excellent reception. Geary and Tate opened the bowling. The batsmen lost no time. Richardson legged Geary twice for a couple in the first over, while Woodfuil legged Tate to tlie boundary. A single to Richardson from Tate was followed by a maiden from the same bowler. Then Tate, with a magnificent inswinger had Woodful’s wicket shattered, Wood fill playing right across the ball. He bad batted with superb patience and had a chanccless innings. Unlike .Macartney, who scored from good length bulls as well as from short ones, Woodful limited for the latter and punished them severely. He hit twelve fours. The score was now 4 for 373.

At 381 Tate raised all objection to the condition of tlie ball, the umpires upholding the appeal and another used ball was substituted. There ivas a five minutes break while the umpire Reeves searched for a suitable ball and further time was lost through the crowd encroaching on the sighting screen. Richardson insisting on their moving. Tate had one ball to complete tlie over From this Struclwick made a confident appeal for a catch behind tlie wicket but was unsuccessful. A couple of overs later a similar appeal Irom Geary this time was succcsstul. Taylor being tlie victim. 5 for 385. ’! aylor lasted only four overs and never looked like overthrowing the evil genie which seems to be controlling bis cricket. There appeared more file in. the u ieket to-dn.v, the; liall coming oil much sharper and it had Richardson beaten frequently both by pace and break. Gregory at five was badly missed by Sutcliffe at first slip off Tate.

Richardson sent ail overpitihed ball from Tate to the boundary and brought up four hundred for 330 minutes, Richardson being eighty-seven. Tie was again given the benefit of the doubt of a double appeal for a catch at the wickets off Tate, who kept the batsmen pegged down, most of the runs coining at the expense of Geary who was howling an uncertain length and was hit to the boundary thrice by Gregory. Kilner replaced Geary at -123 and Gregorv placed Kilner’s second ball laird into the hands of Geary at second slip. 6 for 426. Two balls later Richardson drove Kilner low in the direction of Carr who was fielding at short mid on. The captain threw himself at the ball and got both hands on to it but failed to bold it. Richardson was in striking contrast to Saturday when he scored freely lours and today scored almost all singles, getting twenty-five in seventy-five minutes. He was frequently unhappy facing Tate and dealing with Kilner was equally uncertain, lie played one hall aPd looked to leg to see its direction but it travelled past point.

THE PLAY DKCRIBKD. (Received tins day at 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, July. 12. The attendance was thirty thousand. Richardson continued to progress by singles and reached bis first test century in three hours. A lew minutes later Macauley was tlie hero of -ciy pretty work which was greeted with a roar of approval. Richardson straigln, drove him hard and started to run. Macauley, however, stopped the ball and threw down the wicket from the opposite end, belore Richuidson ivas .able to get back. He bit len, fours, and had helped to carry the score from 249 to 452.

Maeauley’s length was poor. Ryder picked up five fours in half a dozen overs. Kilner demanded much closer attention his length being more consistent. Ryder was in excellent form showing free, strong wrist work and v.ps very sound on the leg side. Oldfield was not playing brightly as

usual, and contented himself with playing the bowling. .Many halls from Macauley which should have been sent to the boundary were tamely played to midfield. When Ryder and Oldfield had added thirty-five the former attempted to drive Tate vigorously, but was never near the ball which found his middle stump. In the four remaining balls of the same over Lite beat Grimmett thrice. Tate and Geary who were now bowling at opposite ends had the batsmen in difficulties .and before long Tate secured a leg decision against Oldfield, iiho was unhappy. Two runs later Griinmett fell a victim to Sutcliffe off Gcory’s last ball Before lunch. The innings lasted 425 minutes. The around fielding was attractive but the patching left much to be desired and somo runs wore lost by loose picking

Gregory and Macartney opened Aus'attack. Tim batsmen were slow to start. Sutcliffe gained the t.rsfc boundary of the innings by square cutting Gregory in his third over. Macartney bowied with fine precision. Hobbs batted for nearly an hour before lie hit a boundary. The beat affected tho game, the batsmen running leisurely. Some of the fielders were doing likewise. Grimmett was getting an effective spin on the hull and bowled ten overs before he if* despatched to the boundary hv Hob is. Eventually when the total was fiftynine Sntcliffo with a’n on chela nt straight drive returned the ball to Grimmett who brought off an easi catch. The fielding was good in parts. Andrews at cover and short leg nas frequently applauded for smart saves, but runs were given elsewhere by dim-

toriness. . Woollev after ho got set. livened matters bv going out to Grimmett and driving him brilliantly. The century appeared in 108 minutes). Foui i .ms later Hobbs tried in book Mniley, but lifted the ball from the edge of the bat giving And rows, walking towards the howler from silly point, the easiest of catches. Hobbs’ stroke "as so elementary that the crowd wore aghast. He was probably 7 never out so tamely in bis whole career. In Mailev’s next over, thanks to the rashness of Woolley, who cut a hall towards Woodful at third man. the latter returning smartly and correctly, gave Oldfield a chance of breaking the wicket while Woolley was trying to get a second run at his own call. The board showed 110 for 4. Chapman straight away got oil the mark and used his reach with great effect and vigorously punished slightly over pitched balls. Then Macartney, after a couple of maidens, got his wicket with a ball which hroke across the leg stump. Carr and Kilner treated the howling with great respect. After playing eight overs safely, Carr was unable to restrain himself longer and lifted Mailev to the off boundary but next over got bis legs in front of a delivery from Macartney. Tbo total was then 140 for 6.

Kilner was immediately aggressive and drove Mailey for four boundaries in one over, thrice to the legside. Ivilner is the idol of the Yorkshire crowd and Toused them to great excitement as twice he drove Macartney to the boundary. When the seventh

wicket laid put on thirty-five, Tate dragged his foot over the crease and was smartly stumped. With Richardson and Macartney howling the runs slowed down, and considerably improved fielding was also a factor. Kilner tried a huge off drive and ivas well held on the ropes. He •batted for an hour and hit seven fours. The total was then 182 for 8. .Macauley created surprise and joy bv pulling Grimmett twice to the leg boundary and played brightly till time was called.

The fail of tho wicket in the Australian innings was 0 for 1. 235 for 2, 249 for 3. 378 for 4. 385 for 5, 426 for 6, 452 for 7. 455 for 8, 492 for 9. AUSTRALIA —First Innings Bardsley, c Sutcliffe, b Tate 0 Macartney, c Hendren, b Macauley 151 Andrews, 1.b.w., b Kilner 4 Woodfuil, b Tate 141 Richardson, run out 100 Taylor, c Strudwick, b Geary 4 Gregory, c Geary, b Kilner 26 Ryder, b Tate >. 42 Oldfield, 1.b.w., b Tate 14 Grimmett, c Sutcliffe, b Geary .... 1 Mailev (not out) 1 Extras 10 Total 49*1 • Bowling.—Tate, 4 for 99; Macauley. 1 for 120; Kilner, 2 for 106; Geary, 2 for 130; Woolley. 0 for 26. ENGLAND —First Innings. Hobbs, c Andrews, b Alai ley ' 49 Sutcliffe, c and b Grimmett 26 Woolley, run out _ 27 Hendren, c Andrews, b Mailev ... 0 Carr, 1.b.w., b Macartney 13 Chapman, b Macartney 15 Kilner, c Ryder, h Grimmett 36 Tate, st. Oldfield, b Grimmett 5 Geary (not out) 6 Macauley (uot out) 1? Extras 8 Total for 8 wickets 203