CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1926, Page 1

CRICKET.

COMMENT ON PLAY. [Reuter Telegrams.] LONDON, Aug. 10. The “Daily News” critic says: “Collins’ stoutness saved the situation. When he had gone, we expected a speedy end, but the healthy Australian tail, like a dismembered python’s tail, is an unconscionable time adying.”

LONDON, A,ua. 17. Ifc is true that Collins’ innings yielded only sixty-one runs, but it was the innings of the game, because the Australians had their backs to tho wall in order to live down Saturday’s suicidal spasms. England's four stock bowlers could send down their best, but they all found the centre of Collins’ bat. Effortlessly pushed forward, it looked horribly tame, but it was magnificently correct. Collins seemed to forget everything except his grim resolve that it' would not he he to strike his flag till danger was past. Collins even forgot how to smite tho loose stuff, and when lie did, after three hours, drive Stevens for his first four to long on, there was ironical applause that gave way to cheers. Woodfull, in the meantime, plodded along. Ho never looked like getting out. Chapman decided that It was time to hire the batsmen to destruction, and he put on 'Rhodes, who had only one deep fieldsman. It looked like superimposing restraint on the already obliging Australians. “Wilfred the Wily ” soon caught Woodful napping with a faster hall than usual, to. which tho batsman played over late, and he chopped it on to his wicket. Richardson, seemed to sec the hall better than usual, and it was simply heartbreaking to se© such an old stager fall, open-eyed, into Rhodes’ trap. Then came the partnership of the game. It was almost humorous to seo the exuberant Gregory holding himself back, hut when the-chance came Gregory swiped merrily. He made several clipping carpet fours! Ho made thirty two runs while Collins added only five. His undoing came when, in trying to off drive Tate, he put up the simplest catch. Once two hundred runs had been hoisted, even Collins was less restrained, but the first time he nibbled at an off ball, it was fatal, Stevens then getting bis second catch in succession. Oldfield , and Grimmett once more showed that the Australian tail was “bone to the end.” They were having none of Rhodes’ “spider-and-fly” business. It was a dramatic climax to glorious uphill fight to. see the taileudors pegging singles with perfect nonchalence, adding sixty-seven runs to tho total by cricket which was unquestionably first grade and chanceless. They established foreveri tho wonderful fighting qualities *of an Australian eleven. Colonel Trevor, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says: “Ifc is many years since Australian cricketers have justly earned their reputation for grit. Testerday their team showed that it could hold its own with its greater predecessors. Coolly and correctly. Gregory played his own game to perfection. He hit when he ought to hit', and he defended when ho ought to defend. Collins. in the course of his 220 minutes used nothing but the middle of the bat'to meet any ball. He mide no semblance of a mistake. Richardson was tho only victim to impetuosity, but the most remarkable partnership was that of Oldfield and Grimmett. Wb knew, of old that Oldfield could hat, especially in a test. Now we know that Grimmett ' can. He might hare been number one batsman from the way he performed.”