CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1929, Page 5

CRICKET

FIFTH TEST.

hobbs makes big score

(Australian Press Association)

MELBOURNE, March 8

For the fifth test, commenced here to-day, the weather was threatening, while the cricket was good. The English team is as follows: While, Hoi.bs. Jardine, Tyldcsley, lienjflrcn, Tate, Larwood, Hammond, Levland, Duckworth and Geary, while the '.wellth inan is Chapman.

T lie Australian team is as follows: Ryder. Kipmix, Uoodfull, Oldfield. Hornibrook, Fairfax, Wall, Bradman, Jackson, • Oxonliani, and Grinimett; twelfth mail. A’Bcckett.

White, win captained England, won ilie toss, and decided, that England should bat.

Hobbs had Jardine as lii.s partner to start, and the new test howlers. Wall and Hornibrook, opened the attack for Australia. They both commenced in good form, Hornibrook especially bothering Jardine. In half an hour Hobbs scored only ten runs and Jardine only five runs.

After bowling seven overs, at a good pace, and with a splendid length, for only nine runs, Wall was relieved by Oxenliani.'i Hornibrook, who had howled seven overs for 12 runs, was spelled by Grimmott, who bowled two maidens in succession. The batting was very stolid. Jardine, in particular, was as usual lacking in enterprise. He took forty-five minutes to reach double figures, the spectators cheering ironically. Then no did not add another run for 25 minutes. The crowd was getting very sarcastic.

Soon after lunch, however, Jardine skied a ball from Wall, and Oldfield, running out towards the fence, took a well-judged catch. Jardine hatted for one hundred and one minutes. He hit no fours at all, and it was a tiresome exhibition. Hobbs reached 50 runs in 107 minutes, and lie completed his thousand runs in test games on the Melbourne ground shortly afterwards.

Hammond then made several neat cover <1 rives, the century being brought up alter 120 minutes batting. The batting bad been much more attractive than since lunch, Hobbs being in particularly good form.

In trying to stop a hit-from Hobbs, Grijnmott was struck on the knee. The play was hold up for some minutes. The South Australian howler finished his over with a loose ball, but Hobbs in a sporting maimer, refused to score off it Grimmott then retired from too field. A’Bcckett taking his place. Grimmott then bad bowled fifteen overs nine of which were maidens, for only 18 runs.

When Hobbs was 77, be was badi missed in the slips by Hornibrook, oft Fairfax.

Hammond was well caught in the slips by Fairfax, after lie was batting for 7(5 minutes He made four boundary strokes, and he looked dangerous when lie was dismissed.

When Hobbs was 91, lie played a ball from Hornibrook perilously near to Wall at mid-on. It was a bad stroke and a very near thing. Tyldesley commenced confidently and neatly. Grimmett remained still off the field after tea with a bad bruise below the knee, but it is not serious, although it was a piece of ill-luck for Australia at that stage that he should be incapacitated. There was a great demonstration when Hobbs, in what is probably bis last test, reached his century, which was his first century in the present series of tests. Hobbs waved his cap again and again to the spectators. He was evidently delighted with his suecess. He bad made his 100 runs in 108 minutes.

Soon after this Grimmett returned to the field, and he soon had Tyldesley in difficulties. ’The second century was reached after 235 minutes’ play. Hobbs was then batting very attractively, especially when facing Grimmett. Tyldesley had become very subdued, however, and his score stood at 20 runs for ten overs. Hobbs also then quietened down, and there was a fairly long period of dull play. Hobbs played a great innings for his side. He batted for 278 minutes, and hit eleven boundaries. The partnership yield 89 runs in 95 minutes. Duckworth, before he had scored, was missed bv Oldfield, who was given a catch behind the wickets off Ryder.

Tyldesley batted for 105 minutes, and be went out in the last over. The attendance was 21,400 and the receipts £1583. Scores: — ENGLAN D—F i r st In nin gs.

Hobbs, 1.b.w., b. Ryder 142 •Jardiiie, c. Oldfield b. Wall 19 Hammond, e. Fairfax, b. Mall ... 38 Tyldesley, c. Hornibrook, b. Ryder 31 Duckworth (not out) 3 Extras '

Total for 4 wickets 240

WARNER’S PREDICTION.

LONDON, March 7. P.Y F. Warner, commenting on the absence of Chapman from the English team or the Fifth Test match, says: His batting lias been disappointing but bis wonderful fielding lias been a positive inspiration. He is the sort of cricketer who makes an incomparable catch which might win a match. Furthermore. be lias uncommon ability as a loader. Tam sorry that be won’t be in at what. 1 hope, will be the kill of the kangaroo. Mr Warner further says that third