CRICKET.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1926, Page 1

CRICKET.

COMMENT ON PLAY. [Reuter Telegrams.] LONDON, August 17. Another lJobbs-Sutcliffe marathon spoiled the charm of uncertainty and expectancy which made the first two days of the fifth test match fascinating. It- was a task made easy for a time by an overnight thunderstorm, which deadened the wicket, and which incidentally will exercise a re-binding influence which will mean so much for the Australians in their second strike. Old timers prophesy that the wicket will wenq well, but the curator of the Oral is scarcely so optimistic. Tho wicket, in the first hour this morning, did not assist the howlers, who could not get their usual spin, but at 12.45 ii.m., when Richardson went on, tho turf began to do things at tho pavilion end. His first over was extremely sloppy and costly, and it did not herald the magnificent spell of 105 minutes bowling by him which followed. It was enjoyable, because we saw England getting a dose of Root’s tactics. There were six fieldsmen—four on tho leg side—all crowded within ten yards of Sutcliffe, who, over after over, was completely tied up. The ball repeatedly hit his pads, legs and hip. The mystery was why Collins did not bring someone closer, because several taps cocked up and fell in front of the leg cordon. Richardson did everything but howl him, and lie had Hobbs in the same boat at intervals, the ball whipping up in a surprising way, but Richardson was without any luck. The sun, after lunch, dried out the danger spot in the wicket and the game then went on tamely for Hobbs to get his century- He got an ovation that was memorable. It seemed that the crowd realised that it was the last time that it would see Hobbs at the Oval in a test game against the Australians, and that it wished to pay a tribute to his great service to English cricket. Then, as an anti-climax, came Hobbs’ almost tame downfall. It was Gregory’s ball of old that got him,. There was just an audible “ click ” as it lifted off the hail. The crowd did not realise what had happened until Hobbs turned to the pavilion. Then there was another storm of cheers. Richardson’s reward at last came when ho got AVoo-lley. Sutcliffe did not master the log trap till he got to 82, when he viciously slammed a four over the heads of the fieldsmen. A full toss from Gregory enabled the York shireman to make sure of a century, which took him five hours. After all, Collins has a rival tortoise.

Hendrou’s test “complex” again got the better of him. His dismissal was most unusual. TTe had been scratching Grimmett’s googlies, one of which just flicked a hail—so softly that Hendren did not hear it. He stood at the crease till Oldfield’s “ How’s that? ” drew tho umpire’s signal. The character of the game completely changed after tea. Whereas after Hobbs, it had been a story of grim, sound hatting, not brightened by anything unusual, it became again brimful of interset. Chapman was restrained. and was obviously not playing his proper game. Air ’P. F. Warner, in tho “ Alorning Post,” writes: “Even at the end of the third day, this tremendous battle has given no real indication which side fortune will eventually favour. Finer cricket on a difficult wicket than Hobbs and Sutcliffe showed before lunch, I have never seen. Richardson’s howling often kicked up disconcertingly, but Hobbs and Sutcliffe once again proved equal to a great emergency. Grimmott howled extremely well all day with poor luck. He beat the batsmen with his leg breaks over and over again.” BATSMEN VERY BUSY. LONDON, August 17. “Pat! Pat! Pat!” was the familiar chorus that came all day from the batsmen’s constant attention to Hie pitch. Sutcliffe found a spot at the pavilion end early in the morning, and was at it whenever he was not batting. hanging it with his hat until the marvel was that the hat was not splintered. It actually was damaged, an attendant coming into the field and taping the bat in full view of the crowd. Hendren was troubled by the same spot, and he joined Sutcliffe at the end of his first over in vigorous efforts to flatten the surface. LONDON, August 17. The Australian team is not despondent. It exoects to he set between 350 and 400 runs to win, and it is determined to fight strenuously for victory. HOBBS’ LAST TEST. As this was presumably Hobbs’ last test innings, lie goes out in a blaze of glory. Among many others, the Prince of Wales congratulated him on his century. COUNTY MATCHES. LONDON, August 17. Kent v. Somerset. In the first innings Somerset inade 212 (Earle GO. Freeman 6 for 09) ; and in the second 27!) (Lyon 87, Earle 88. Besles 4 for 59). Kent first innings 397 (Ashdown 07, Seymour 107, Knott not out 117, White 7 for 109), second 98 for no wickets (Hardinge not out 58). Kent won by ton wickets. Lancashire v. Hampshire. Lancashire, first innings .89 (Newman taking 5 f Ol . 44 and Roves 4 for 1.6); second 271 (Hallows 106, Eckersley 99). Hampshire first innings 214 (Meat not out 9-1, Woolley 4 for 56); second, 49 (.MacDonald taking 4 for 28, and Tddon 5 for 9). Lancashire won by 97 runs. For Xorthants against Glamorgan. Thomas took 6 for 27 and Northcoto 6 for 27. Xorthants won. For Gloucester against Surrey, Parker in the first innings took 6 for 107. and in the second 5 for 96. Surrey

For Notts against Derby. Payton made a hundred not out, and Richardson took 5 for 78, and Staples 5 for 7f, in the first innings and 6 for 51 in the second.' For Derby Townsend took {j for 32. Notts won. For Essex against Leicester, Freeman made 113. O’Connor took 7 for 5 For Leicester Rudd made 114. "Essex won.