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Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1933, Page 4

Australia hag won the second test by 111 runs, and so the honours for the right to hold the Ashes are even. The game completed yesterday afternoon was a remarkable one in more ways than one. First there was the wonderful public interest in the game, as shown by tlie. record crowds that assembled in Melbourne cricket ground to witness the play. Well over sixty thousand spectators on each day makes an enormous assemblage, and the interest shown, .in Melbourne was just as strong all over the Commonwealth, in New Zealand, and in England and many other places. The play in this game Inis been remarkable secondly, for the low scoring, the howlers having the ueper hand throughout and gome remarkable figures have been ■obtained. Thirdly, there was the fact that tire Australian idol batsman, Bradman, was playing. The fact that h l( , was out first ball in. the first innings had a most devastating effect on Australian supporters, but his second innings score, a faultless 103 not out, serves to prove taut lie still lefains his skill with the hat. The moderate score of Australia in the first innings, not having been equalled by Eng.and, confounded the critus. Then came Australia’:, ecoud innings display, and a total ol under '2oo, in spite oi Trad-

man’s 103 not out served to show the strength of t..e visico.s bowling, and the apparent weakness of the opposing batsmen. With 251 to make to win, the task of the Englishmen seemed an easy one-, especially af. er the two opening batsmen had made 43 without I (.us when stamps were drawn on the third day. Yesterday, the vagares of the game were exemplified, when on -a- good wicket- the flower of British batsmen went down in rapid succession and, the bowlers continuing their ascendancy, Australia gained a well earned victory, all the more welcome, as it was hardly expected when the final day’s play commenced. The result will cause the many critics to be confounded, and will give added interest to the following tests. Undoubtedly the present game has been one of decided thrills and changing .fortunes, and will be specially notable for the success of the ball over the bat, on what was considered to he- a batsman’s wicket., The uncertainty of cricket had in this case been fully proved and has given added zest to followers of the great English pastime.