CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1926, Page 1

CRICKET.

•[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

COMMENTS ON THE PLAY

LONDON, July 27,

Macartney overtook Woodfull for half an hour. Then he had to watch liis usually slower competitor get as many scoring shot's as himself—certainly less spectasular, but no less frequently—and in saying Root was the cause of the slowness, there is neither a need to overstress Root’s negative tactics or a desire to minimise liis

long spells of painstaking accuracy. The wicket was too dead and dull to assist the bowlers, of v. hom only Kilner made the ball' turn a little, but nothing to cause the batsmen to worry. Tato carao through once or twice, and surprised "Woodfull, but otherwise he was not dangerous. Macartney’s restraint was unusual, and it looked that, having mad© a hundred, he wanted to let off steam. He hit Root to long leg for a beautiful four, which incidentally was only the second fourer of the day off Root. Woodfull, too, yielded to the itch to play Root’s leg stuff, and lifted one into Hendren’s hands. Strangely enough England’s least convincing bowler soon claimed as many victims as Root. Bardsley’s was a gift wicket, the result of a deplorable leg swipe at the easiest of long hops, but Chapman’ catch in dismissing Andrews was a beauty. Then came Richardson’s failure. He seemed surprised he was out, and even lingered after "Woolley had thrown down tho ball. Anyway, Stevens had atoned for some of his rubbishy stuff of which tho earlier batsmen took toll. It was a dreary day, never being freo of the suggestion that both sides were convinced before they began that a. draw was inevitable. Ponsford’s first English test hand was bright and stylish, if a trifle slow.

Hobbs’ captaincy is generally regarded very favourably. It is pointed out that "he is the first professional to captain England since Shrewsbury in Australia forty years ago. The “Daily Express,” in an editorial says: “We congratulate Hobbs, not because lie is a. professional, but because lie is a natural leader. The other distinction matters nothing.”

Carr is still unable to talk. His wife say’s that only a miracle will enable him to play to-day, ithough he is much hotter. He is tlie most disappointed man on earth. However, be had bulletins every half hour from the ground. He was delighted with the result of Root’s effort, which he thinks is the finest bowling feat be ever heard of in bis career. He is glad to have such a capable substitute in Hobbs. Colonel Trevor, in the “Daily Telegraph.” says: “Tlie wicket was easy—lamentably and even disgustingly easy. Thanks to the groundsman, the wicket behaved like a lamb. It was so slow that even Barnes would not have got anything from it. Bardsley and "Woodfull were looking out for snags. They evidently thought the wicket was too good to l>e true. "When they were at last reassured, the pace of the run getting mended slightly. Macartney gave none of his Leeds fireworks. He suited bis game to the dead wicket, which was no godsend to Macartney, as it limited bis chances of being brilliant. Macartney sees the flight of the ball sooner, and he can afford to play later than any other batsman in the world. The closing stages of the day slowed the limitations of the Australian batting. They can all bat. but, with two exceptions, all are better at establishing a good position than at making a good one impregnable. Stevens thoroughly justified his selection. The newspaper “Sketch’s” critic says: “After lunch, the play was a travesty of the ancient honourable game. The crowd stood it wonderfully. It is extraordinary what the English public- will stand. Even Macartney’s play was a hundred per cent, below the Leeds match. It seemed that the batsmen were playing in order to make as little as possible/ never taking a chance to force a winning position,”