TEST CRICKET

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1930, Page 6

TEST CRICKET

AT THE OVAL. With the test abandoned, the rubber and the possession of the Ashes will depend on the final test to be played on the Oval on August* 16, which will be played to a finish. Three thrilling test matches with desperate finishes have been played between England and Australia, the 1882 game at the Oval, and the 1902 games at Manchester and the Oval. What a match the 1902 game at Manchester was! Fry and Jessjop were omitted from the English side, but all England wondered when Hirst stood out to make way -for T. W. Tate, who had proved himself a great bowler for Sussex that season certainly, but to replace Hirst or Banes in a test was a great surprise. England and Australia were both at the zenith of their powers. England being represented by MacLaren, Jackson, Ranjitsinhji, Abel, Palairet, Braund, Tyldesley, Rhodes, Lockwood', Lilley and Tate. On the other hand Joe Darling had associated with him Till, Noble, Trumper, Gregory, Trumble, Duff, Kelly, Saunders, Armstrong ... On a soft slow wicket, Trumper and Duff hit out magnificently, the latter being no whit inferior to ,‘ the “nonpareil.” One hundred and thirty-five was on the board in 80 minutes, Duff scoring 54. At lunch, Trumper (104) and Hill (65) had . taken, the score to 173. The morning’s play had been really dazzling. Immediately after lunch, Rhodes dismissed Trumper, Gregory and Noble in quick succession, but Darling (51) hit fiercely and 256 for six was on the board. Lockwood then got going and terminated the innings at 299, his record being six for 48. England went in on a drying wicket and found Trumble and Saunders In deadly form. Five wickets went for 44 under the hour. Australia was decidedly on top. Braund (65) joined Jackson, however, and played dourly and then got the measure of the bowling and added 141. Jackson, who had gone in at 30, was last man out at 267, his 128 taking four hours anda half.-:To>va rd s the end he forced the pace, ’ manipulated to" get the" bowling and in all played an historic innings.

Australia led by 37, but the lead was very necessary for Trumper, Hill; and Duff were back in-the pavilion' with the' scoreboard showing 10. Lockwood was bowling his very best; —and he was one of England’s greatest bowlers—and the Old Lion was on top of the. Kangaroo, Joe Darling went for “desperation hitting,” and with the scocre at 16, he hit' - “ballooner” to Tate at square-leg. He was the weak fieldsman of the side and the catch was dropped. To this day Tate is known as the man who “missed the batch.” Gregory (24) and Darling (37) added 54 priceless runs, but tne whole side went out for 86, Lockwood having' taken five for 28, Rhode's three for . 26, and Tate two for 7. “We’ll win easy,” was the general verdict. .“Why' 'John Tommy’ll (Tyldesley) maake ’em ’isself... ...

At luncheon, Palairet and MacLaren had put on 36 without loss towards the 124 required. The wicket, affected by rain the night previous, was drying fast and 1 the ball would assuredly “bite” after luncheon. MacLaren wae confident. Of a win—Bß to get—and told Darling so. “Yes,” said the astute Joe, “but you must get them quickly ” Whether the suggestion had any influence or not MacLaren and Palairet forced the pace and so the score wn? 44 for one. “John Tommy” made 16 and MacLaren left at 72. Ranji for once was all at sea and left at 92. Abe! following him at 97. ~ Jackson and Braund tried to repeat the first innings stand, but at 109 both had gone back to the pavilion; also Lockwood. Fifteen to make and two wickets to fall! Rhodes joined Lilley—the latter was in a hurry while Wilfred stonewalled. Seven runs were made and then Lilley got fairly on to one from Trumble and surely four out of the eight had been obtained. Tlie crowd roared, but, like a bolt from the blue Clem Hill, racing some distance around the boundary and in his stride, and one handed, he held the catch. The crowd roared its applause at the magnificent effort and then settled down with concern, realising that the scene had Changed for England’s last hope was Tate, a negligible bat at any time. Down came the rain, which had been threatening, and forty-five minutes there was the dreary waiting. For what: Victory or defeat? A test match and rubber depending on Rhodes and Tate standing up to Trumble and Saunders. Horrible suspense for both batsmen and bowlers. At last Tate faced Saunders and snicked the first ball for four. Four only to get. He survived the next two and then Saunders howled one that not only broke, but kept low, and Tate was out. Thanks to Trumble, six for S 3, and Saunders four for 52, Australia won the match and the rubber by a margin of three runs only.