CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 3

CRICKET

FIFTH test.

Australia 28 behind,

ON FIRST INNINGS

“A GOOD FIGHTING CHANCE.”

FINE LAST WICKET STAND

(Australian Pi ess Association)

MELBOURNE, March 13

Rain had fallen during this morning before resumption of play in the test match and there was considerable doubt as to how the wicket would act. Sawdust was freely used by the howlers.

Bradman commenced aggressively against White, and lie soon reached 120. When 19 had been added to the score, however, Bradman played Geary straight into Tate’s hands at forward log. Bradman had been 'hatting for 127 minutes. He made eight boundary hits, and gave a great display. His partnership with Fairfax realised 183 runs, which was only nine short of England’s record for the fifth wicket.

When the total was 399, Fairfax was dismissed 1.b.w., after hatting very soundly for 232 minutes. He made two boundary hits. The fourth century was reached after 56? minutes’ play. A light drizzling rain was then falling the conditions being more suitable for football thtrn for cricket.

Oldfield- was. smartly caught, low down, by Geary. Grimmett was limping slightly when he went in, as the result of his leg injury, but he did not have anyone to run for him. The wicket was playing fairly easily after lunch, hut it was by no means a good one. Oxenlinm was smartly taken behind the wicket off Geary, who was bowling particularly well, with variation of his pace.

Wall obtained two boundaries with lucky snicks in one of Geary’s overs. Duckworth took another good catch in disposing of Wall.

The last wicket lasted much longer than was expected, Hornibrook batting soundly and neatly. There was enthusiasm when 450 runs was reached, after 665 minutes’ play. Larwood was then brought on for the first time for the day, and there was groat enthusiasm when Hornibrook played his first ball beautifully through the slips to the fence. A small section of the public were unfairly yelling each time Larwood ran up to bowl, but they soon desisted.

INNINGS CLOSES

MELBOURNE, March 13

Soon after the tea interval, Grimmett got a lucky fourer through the slips off Tate, but otherwise he was. doing well. Occasionally the ball was kicking up, but for the most part the wicket .was playing fairly well. A great surprise was the neat and confident batting of Hornibrook. When the total was 482, their partnership had realised 50 runs in seventy-three minutes. .When Geary had bowled 79 overs, lie had bowled more balls than any other player in any one innings of a test match, Giffen having previously held the record. The partnership realised 59 runs. Grimmett was in great fighting form. He batted 146 minutes and made one boundary stroke. Hornibrook, showing, surprisingly good form, batted for 95 minutes and he scored two fourers. Geary, who howled 81 overs and 36 maidens, bowled splendidly, an excellent variation of pace. White bowled 75 overs. He "'as more expensive than usual. The Englishmen’s fielding was very keen. After lie had scored 26, Hornibroox fell l.b.w. to White and tlie innings closed for 491 runs. Scores: — ENGLAND—First Innings. Hobbs, 1.b.w., b. Ryder 142 Jardine, c. Oldfield b. Wall 19 Hamniond, c. Fairfax, b. Wall ... 38 Tyldesley, c. Hornibrook, b. Ryder 31 Duckworth, c Fairfax, b Hornibrook 1Hendren, c Hornibrook, b Fairfax 95 Leylnnd, c Fairfax, b Oxenlmm ... 137 Larwood, b Wall 4 Geary, b Hornibrook 4 late, c A’Beckett, b Hornibrook 15 White, (not out) ••• 9 Extras ••• 13 Total 619 Bowling analysis: Wall 3 for 123, Hornibrook 3 for 142, Oxenlmm 1 for 86, Grimmett 0 for 40, Fairfax 1 for 84, Ryder 2 for 29, Kippnx 0 for 2. AUSTRALIA—First Innings. Woodfull, c Geary, b Lanvood ... 102 Jackson, run out 30 Kippa-x, c Duckworth, b White ... 38 Ryder, c Tate, b Hammond 30 Bradman, c Tate, b Geary 123 Fairfax, l.b.w. b Geary 65 Oxenhain, c Duckworth, b Gearv 7 Oldfield, c and b Geary 6 Grimmett, (not out) 38 Wall, c Duckworth, b Geary ... 0 Hornibrook, l.b.w. b White ... 26 Extras 17 Total 491 The extras comprised: Byes, six : leg byes, nine; wides, two. Bowling analysis: Larwood 1 for 83, Tate 0 for 108, Geary 5 for 105, White 2 for 136, Hammond 1 for 31, Leyland 0 for 11. Geary bowled 81 overs, and White 75 overs.

ENGLISHMEN BAT

JARDINE GOES SOON

MELBOURNE, March 13. The visitors’ second innings com-

menced at 5.20 p.m. There was great "excitement when, in Wall’s first ovoi, jardine was dismissed by a clever catch on the log side. Stumps were drawn at 5.40. The Australians are now considered to have a good fighting chance. The attendance was 15,100, and tlie receipts £965. At the drawing of stumps the score stood : ENGLAND —Second Inn i ngs. Hobb*, (not out) 3 Jardine. c Old field, b Wall ... U Larwood, (not out) H Extras 4 Total for one wicket 18