CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1926, Page 3

CRICKET.

AGAINST SURREY. [Reuter Telegrams.] (Received this day a.t 3 a.m.) LONDON, July 28. The Australians omitted Collins. Hendry, Richardson, Gregory and Ellis. The weather is dull and overcast hut warm and the wicket is fast. Bardsle.v won the toss. AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Bardsley, c. Fender h. Shepherd 18 Woodfull, c. Locktou I>. Fender ... 150 Macartney, b. Locktou 23

Taylor, c. Jardine b. Peach 43 Andrews, c. Jardine b. Peach ...... 18 Ponsford, c. Peach b. Locktou I llytlcr. (not out) 08

Oldfield, o. Shepherd b. Peach ... 10 Grimmett. (not out) 0 Extras 22 Total for 7 wickets 355 (Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 28. The attendance was eight thousand. Holmes and peach opened the attack. The start was quiet. Woodfull avoided tlie uncertainty which usually characterises his first few overs, and opened with some nice strokes efl Holmes.

Bardsley was twenty minutes before ho opened his score. It was lifeless, uninspiring cricket, hut the batsmen were rarely at loss. Bardslev’s wicket fell when the total was fifty-five.

Macartney opened out immediately and played tho ball wherever a gap showed, but shortly after lunch Lockton beat him with a good length hall, which broke back.

Woodfull’s display became brighter, mainly at the expense of tho fast bowler, Holmes, whom he sent to leg and cut cleanly. With th 6 board showing 137 for 4 Taylor and Woodfull became associated. Notwithstanding his stunted style, Woodfull succeeded in playing the ball well, and gained several boundaries off Peach both to tlie on and off. When the total was 194 Woodfull with a well timed couple through the shps off Fender, reached his century for 195 minutes batting. Taylor showed a griht improvement on previous matches, driving and hooking brilliantly. Both batsmen were most partial to Jardfiie’s and B. J. Gregory’s slew deliveries and drove them to the ropes repeatedly. Rain interrupted the play for nearly an hour. On the resumption Taylor started at a great pace cutting Lockton and Shepherd in fine style, but in trying to- send one from Peach, he was taken at short leg by Jardine. He iiit five fours and the partnership yielded 113.

Ryder was tho next man. Ho was enterprising, even inclined to he reckless. securing runs off many streaky hits.

Woodfull also became more aggressive driving stylishly to the off. The partnership added fifty in thirtv minutes. Eventually Woodfull fell to a brilliant high left hand catch bv Lockton, at midoff. It was a magnificent end to n magnificent innings, which lasted 270 minutes, the score including eleven fours. The total was then 307 for fi. .

The closing stages of the piny were remarkable for unusually quick running which hitherto was inclined to be casual. Ryder hitting vigorously set the pace and the strokes which earlier in the day were singles, now became twos.

BARDSLEY ON CRITICISM. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON. July 28. Bardsley, replying to criticism, both in England and from Australia for not declaring earlier in tlie Manchester test, says he did not declare on the first day as Australia would have had a lead of only 260, which was altogether inadequate. The reason he did not declare on the last night was that the bowlers were tired out and ho did not want to tire them further, in view o 7 the closeness of the final test. . Bardsley resents Australian critics, thirteen thousand miles away, trying to teach experienced oricketerk how they should captain n side. He is sure they do not realise the circumstances, otherwise they would not be so ready to criticise.

CRICKET TOURS. (Received this day at 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, July 28. The Imperial Cricket Conference meeting, adjourned from the 31st. May, was continued. It was resolved on a. revised list of visits as follows: New Zealand in England in 1927. England in South Africa. 1927-2 S. England to Australia. 1928-29. South Africa to England, 1929. Australia to England. 1930. No decision was arrived at on the question of the four day tests though it is understood should alterations he made, that five days would be eonsille] ed more suitable. It was decided to plav out the fifth test to a finish. On the question of future constitution of Imperial Conferences it was decided that each country with which visits were interchangeable be entitled to two representatives. On the question of declaration rule it was decided to adhere to tlie usual 150 load in tlie final test.