CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1929, Page 6

CRICKET

FIFTH TEST. AUSTRALIA RATTING. A GOOD STAND. (Australian Press Association) MELBOURNE, 31 arch 12. The weather to-day was much warmer when play was resumed in the fifth test match, the conditions being still greatly in favour of tbe batting side. The not out Australian batsmen. Ryder (4) and Wood full (78) opened cautiously, with the score at 152 for two. Only live runs were added in 25 minutes. Even when the batsmen became more aggressive the runs were difficult to got, owing to the accurate bowling and the fine fielding. Ryder readied double figures,' after batting for an hour in all. He then bit White to the on for four, all ' of which were run 1 out, but there were few such efforts. Alter a long period of dull play, eight runs were scored oft one of White’s overs. When Ryder bad readied 23, lie bad made one thousand runs in test cricket. In the last over, bowled by Hammond, before lunch, the total was taken to 200, and Woodfull readied the century, after batting for 322 minutes. On the second last ball, however, Ryder, who had batted for 112 minutes, went lor a big hit, but skied tbe ball, and was easily caught at point. There was a sensation just alter lunch. In Larwood’s first over, Moodfull played a ball into the slips, Geary look the ball low down, signifying that lie made a catch. Woodfull refused to leave the wirket until he was given out, Me was evidently very dissatisfied. He had hatted tor 325 minutes without giving a chance and lie .made three boundary hits. Bradman commenced to bat confidently and lie soon reached double figures. Fairfax also was enterprising. Bradman aroused enthusiasm by scoring seven runs off one of Tate’s overs, his strokes including a perfect straight drive to the fence. Two hundred and fifty runs were reached in 379 minutes. Bradman was now playing very pluckily and skilfully, while Fairfax was batting solidly. '"When lie was 4(5, Bradman drove the ball straight and hard to Geary at mid-oil, off White, but the fieldsman dropped the ball. Bradman reached 50 runs alter batting for 71 minutes. It was a ret resiling display, after so much dull cricket. The batsmen played quietly for some time after the tea arrival, and then they increased their pace slightly. Tbe third century was brought up alter four hundred and forty-nine minutes play. Shortly alter the norsliip realised a century, got ill HO minutes. Bradman then got on to Larwood, scoring a four, a two and a three in one over with delightful strokes. The crowd had now become greatly excited at the change which had come over the scene. Bradman entered the nineties with a forceful on drive to the boundary off Geary. When the partnership had realised 143 runs, the previous Australian record, by Darling and Gregory, made on the same ground 35 years ago, wfis broken.

Three hundred and filty runs va.s readied in 493 minutes, each run being wildly cheered. There was a great demonstration when Bradman reached his century in 172 minutes. It was his second century in test matches. Fairfax, who had played an invaluable innings, reached filty in 173 minutes. There was an appeal against the light, but it was refused at 5.40 p.m., but a. seepnd appeal was granted at 5.47. Bradman gave a great exhibition, batting for 181 minutes, during which lie Hit seven fours. Fairfax gave a sound display, bitting two fouis. The attendance was twenty thousand, seven hundred, and the receipts 01,515. The shores at the drawing of stumps were: — ENGLAND—First Innings. Hobbs. 1.b.w., b. Ryder 142 Jardinc. c. Oldfield b. AY all 19 Haamiond, e. Fairfax, h. AA all ... 38 Tyhbvdcy, c. Koruibrook, b. Ryder 31 Duckworth, e Fairfax, b Hornilirook iIho.'lnm. v 11 auibrook, b Fairfax 95 Levi Hid. e Fairlax, b Oxciiliam ... 137 Larwood, I) Wall 4 Gearv. b Mnrnibrook 4 late. : A'Rockett, b Hornibrook 15 While. Riot OIR) ••• 9. Extras 13 Total 519 ! Bowling analysis. AVal! 3 for 123. Ilornibrook 3 for M2, Oxenham 1 for 80, ('■ rinimett 0 for 40, Fairfax ! for M. Ryder 2 for 29, Kippax 0 for 2. ■ USTR A LI A First Innings. AVooi.full, c Geary, h Larwood ... 102 • lacks a -lIJI OUt ... ... ... ... 30 lvippa.. Duckworth, b AA’hito ... 38 Ryder. < ale. b Hammond' 30 Bradum ■ R) 109 Fairfax • • M 50 ' E.\ ' s Tol u n lic'ets 3(57 \Yt x) DU LIT 8 STONE AY ALL. LONDON. 31 arch 11. j “If -.be plav continues at the prej.scnt rate, ibis will lie the world s j slowest cricket match, and may posj sii.ily go over tbe l ime when the Kng- ! iisli' team is to mi! fo«- home a fort-

night hence,” says the Daily Express in a front page summary. This remark accurately sums up the viewpoint of practically every London newspapers. The obvious inference drawn is that Wbodlull bad no right to stay in all day in bis attempt to lay the foundation of an Australian score approaching to England’s. The English critics between their hymns of bate concerning the “drawn out trial” and the “war of attrition which the test matches have become,” obligingly declare that Australia is attempting something that is beyond her powers. Clem Hill’s cabled comments, however. help to put Woodfull’s position in a correct perspective. He said: “1 have never seen a gamer opening fighter. :I vo tremendous admiration for him. He is still uucmiqucred, and lie looks like staying. His defence is his natural game. Me carries big responsibilities, and lie realises that he must stop. He does his part with credit.” Hill nevertheless agrees that at present there is a feeling abroad that it is a crime to jump out to hit the ball. Kippax, lie says, did not play Ills own •game. Hill incidentally says that Larwood now bowls some overs faster than any yet. R E. Warner does not join in the general chorus, but lie contents himself with the remark that this cricket is of a. dour type, but bo praises Wood-full for bis “impregnable defence. and bis unfailing judgment.” He adds that the test match may last seven days.

It lias been suggested, in certain quarters, that not only in England m future tests, but also in Australia, the tests should have only five days allotted to them, with the hours from 11,30 to (5 p.m.