CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1929, Page 3

CRICKET

THIRD TEST. ENGLAND WINS. BY THREE WICKETS. (Australian Press Association) (United Service.) SYDNEY, January 6. The weather was perfect for the continuance of the test and the attendance was 15,000. The wicket was playing excellently. England’s batsmen opened confidently, and the Australian bowlers had a hard task in view of lost opportunities yesterday. Singles followed from A’Beckett and Blackie till Sutcliffe put Blackie past point for three. Kippax made a great stop. Sutcliffe changed bats at 89. Blackie tied Jardine up badly. Careful batting produced only thirteen runs in 25 minutes. Grimmott relieved A’Beckett and began nicely, pitching them well up. Blackie was cut to the boundary twice in succession by Jardine, but Grimmett raised hopes when he got Jardine in his fourth maiden over. The ball came off inside the batsmen’s leg, leaving the score two wickets for 199.

Hammond and Sutcliffe brought it up to 200 in 2G2 minutes. Hammond was batting slowly, but scored off Grimmett by late cuts. Sutcliffe secured, bis century in 272 minutes. He was playing a solid fighting game. OxJenham bowled three maidens and was making it difficult Ifor the batsmen. There was thus a dull period in which it took half an hour to score 16 runs. Hammond in a spasmodic burst, jumped well out to Oxenham and lifted him to the boundary, and Ryder who had twice misfielded. was ironically cheered. The batsmen again became painfully slow just before luncheon.

After lunch Oldfield missed, making the byes 28. Hammond’s late cuts were applauded, and Sutcliffe made n magnificent stroke, swinging Grimmett to leg for four. A’Beckett took over a new ball at 250 runs, when Hammond by a straight drive got another Ifour. Hammond coming out to Grimmett missed and was run out. The deficit was now 75. Interest was revived when Hendren partnered Sutcliffe, and immediately went for the bowling, pulling Blackie for four, and straight driving A’Beckett to the boundary. This was a treat after the dull batting. A lusty bit by Hendren to the boundary, almost brought about his downfall, Bradman falling and just missed a catch. The next stroke was a straight drive on full to the boundary. The spectators appreciated Hendren’s vigour, as be was going for all the bowling alike.

Australia’s chances were now fast slipping away, as the batsmen seemed masters of the situation. Barraekers were giving the captain plenty of advice, but he was handing the team excellently. Grimmett was awarded a leg before decision against Sutcliffe, who was now 135. He batted 381 minutes, and his score included nine fours. The score was now foui for 218, and England required only 11 runs to win. Sutcliffe made a memorable stand with Hobbs, battim through a dangerous wicket, and carrying England on to a good wicket, and to victory. Chapman joined HenIren, and faced Ryder. He broke the ice by an off drive for three. Hendren continue to punish the bowling until Oxenham, who was bowling well, but unluckily, got him at 45. He had been at the wicket 68 minutes—five for 326.

At the adjournment for tea Englanu required only six runs to win. Thi.* seemed to make the position hopeless, hut the crowd was endeavouring tc be optimistic after Hendren’s dismissal. Singles were scored off Oxenham and the first ball of Ryder’s over Was lifted by Chapman, but was well caught by Woodifull—six for 328. Geary joined Tate and he straight drove Ryder, whereupon Tate went to run, and Bradman by a brilliant field threw down the wicket. Thus two batsmen were out in seven minutes seven for 328.

Duckworth joined Geary, who ended the match by driving Ryder to the boundary. It was an exciting finish to the match, and of the innings which lasted 409 minutes.

At the close of play the crowd swarmed on the ground to inspect the wicket. The scores are as follow: — AUSTRALIA—First Innings ... 397

SECOND INNINGS. Woodfitll, c Duckworth, b Tate ... 107 Richardson, b Larwood ... 0 Hendry’ st. Duckworth, b White IKippax, b Tate 41

Ryder, b Geary ••• h Bradman, c Duckworth, b Geary 112 Oldfield, b White 7 A’Beckett, b White (l Oxynliaiii, b White 29 Grimmett, (not out) • • 4 Blaokie, b White *’ Extras 13 Total ... 30l Bowiing analysis: Larwood 1 for 37. TaLo 2 for 72, White 5 for 107, Geary 2 for 94, Hammond 0 for 30. ENGLAND—First Innings 41.7 SECOND INNINGS. Hobbs, l.'b.w. b Blaokie 49 Sutcliffe, 1.b.w., b Grimmett ... 135 Jardine, b Grimmett 33 Hammond, run out 32 Hendron, b Oxenham 45 Chapman, e Woodfull, b Ryder ... 5 Tate, run out 0 Geary (not out) 4 Duckworth (not out) 29 Extras 29 Total for seven wickets ... 332 Bowling analysis.—A’Beckett, 22 overs, 5 maidens, 39 runs, no wickets; Hendry, 23 overs, 5 maidens, 33 runs, no wickets; Blnckie, 39 overs, 11 maid-

ens, 75 runs, 1 wicket; Oxenham, *2B i vers, 10 maidens, 44 runs, 1 wicket; Grimmett, 42 overs, 12 maidens, 90 runs, 2 wickets; Ryder, 55 overs, 1 maiden, 16 runs, 1 wicket. AUSTRALIAN PRESS CRITICISM. SYDNEY, January 6. The Press asserts that Australia was unlucky to lose the last test. All tho newspapers agree that the Englishmen proved superior in every department of the game. Ponsford puts it in this way: “Australia has lost the ashes to the better team, but one thing remains—we have not forgotten the way to fight.” VIEWS OF OLD PLAYERS. LONDON, January o. Tho London District Institute of Journalists cabled Chapman “ heartiest congratulations ” and invites tho team to "a welcome home ” luncheon. LONDON, January 5. Mr Baldwin cabled Chapman “ Hearty congratulations bn victory, after the most gallant fight, of which both sides may be proud.” Commenting on the win, Lord Harris said: “Jt is glorious. Our thanks are due to Chapman and his men.” Thornton declared: “It is splendid. This is our best batting and bowling side in years. Australia was unlucky in losing Ponsford and Gregory, but we have beaten them fairly and square. Better luck next time Australia.” Leveson Gower says: “The victory was thoroughly deserved. England was the better side all through. Chapman captained splendidly.” Douglas says: “Bravo.” It was a sporty game. England was undoubtedly the better team, but that in no way detracts from the merit of Australia’s performance. Strudwick says: It is a better win than when England regained the ashes at the Oval. Sandham says: Australia- threw away her chances, as she had everything in her favour. The result, however, is all in favour of good cricket for it will make Australia pull her socks up, and say “Now we must fin' somebody new.” ENGLISH PRESS COMMENTS. LONDON. January 4. Warner in the “Morning Post” says the news is almost too good to be true. After the rain we were told that the Englishmen had an impossible task, hut true to tradition the opening pair batted as splendidly as at the Oval in August, 1926. As the pitch should roll out well, England ought to win by more than my prophesy, in which J forgot the possibility of rain. The greater tho difficulties to be faced, the greater was the determination of Hobbs and -Sutcliffe, whose partnership at Melbourne will rank above others except that at the Oval in 1926. Hobbs is at an a.ge when naturally there is a falling off, but the occasion brought out his greatness, while Sutcliffe, as a back-to-tlie-wall batsman, equals bis partner. Every minute lie stayed in was momentous for England, and every run was worth a couple. It was superlative batting by men of long experience, on a sticky wicket, against bowlers, who, owing to lack of opportunity, did not know how to take full advantage of a sticky wicket.

Woolley, in the “Daily Chronicle,” says the Australians failed when everyone was expecting them to take full advantage of the bowlers’ paradise. As a result, England turned a pending defeat into an unprecedented test victory. “ I know of no ground for givign such aid as at Melbourne, when a baking sun follows heavy rain. The Australian.? chief tactical mistake was to aim at the leg peg, instead of well up to the batsmen on the off stump. We must thank the selectors for omitting Ironmonger, who would have been a-' trial yesterday. It would be interesting to see what Rhodes and other left-handers would have done on such a wicket. The match confirms the im pression formed at the Oval in 1923. that the Australians are so unused to a real sticky wicket, that they seem to have lost the art of using same when offered. Every credit is due t A Hobbs and Sutcliffe. If the wicket rolls out well, England should have won when this is read.

Tennyson, in the “ Daily Chronicle,” names the deeds of Hobbs and Sutcliffe to lire long in cricket history. Surely theii great stand at Melbourne is accounted for by one of the finest partnerships. Their marvellous performance has shown what an Engl is!: team can do in the tightest corner. Clem Hill, in the “Daily Telegraph,” says the Australian bowling failed mis erably to take advantage of the conditions. No bowler kept a decent length. No blame is attachable to Ryder, who did the best available. Maybe he wishes for Ironmonger, who would make good use of the wicket. England’s performance had earned the approbation of even the disappointed Australians. SYDNEY GRADE MATCHES. A PROMISING BAIsMAN. SYDNEY, January (1. Playing for Cumberland against Halmain, O’Grady scored 100, and Waddy 96 ; for Wnverley against Randwiek, Fingleton scored 92 ; Tor Petersham against North District, Graham made 92. Bowling for Manly against University, Newman toook 6 for 93; for Gordon against Western Suburbs, Campbell took 5 for 40. A promising batsmen is R. Nut, of Balmain. Playing in second grade cricket yesterday, lie compiled 256. and hit 39 fours. Tie has now scored three consecutive centuries,

FURTHER COM MENT. (Received this day at 8 a.in.) LONDON, January 5. “ Our Ashes,” was a most pithy red poster confronting the eye this morning. Everywhere the talk centred less on the obvious triumph than the prospect of England winning the next two tests. Everybody seems to regard it as a foregone conclusion. Most newspapers publish photographs of Darnley’s ashes while the “ Standard ” reproduced a snap of the smiling Chapman, within the frame of a horseshoe, and the transfer of Collins sobriquet to him, “England keeps Ashes.” “ Australia has sackcloth ” is how the “ Standard ” leads off the story, adding that Macartney’s comment on Bradman’s despairing chase of the winning ifourer, exactly typified the match for Australia. Sutcliffe’s wife and Hammond’s sweetheart naturally had interviews. Likewise Lord Ryrie, who wants to see young stuff tried, including Bettington. “ Brav.o both!” says the “Observer.” “ England’s victory was extracted in the teeth of adversity. It was a climax to one of the greatest weeks of combat and vicissitude in sport. Everyone remembers, and its fame will j be related for generations. Australians made a splendid fight. They had their turn before the war and now we have' ours. Bradman and A’Beckett foreshadow what is to come. There should be a glorious struggle of youth against youth at Lords Oval in 1930, which should be witnessed by crowds never before known in cricket.” j

“)Ve had to fight every inch of the way in this third game,” cables Maurice Tate to “Reynolds News.” “It was touch and go from start to finish. It was the sort of struggle in which cricketers revel, though it tires. Don’t forget to give thought and cheer for the gallant losers.” A. O. Maclaren in the “ Sunday “ Times ” says:—“ Australia suffers at the moment from lack of younger players and some of her bowlers are lacking experience in test cricket. Time will alter this. Australia will hard to .beat in the last two tests.”