TEST CRICKET

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 102, 21 December 1931, Page 5

TEST CRICKET

(Press Assn.-

SOUTH AFRICA'S TASK AUSTRALIA IN ALMOST UNBEATABLE POSITION RIGG JUSTIFIES INCLUSION

-By Telegraph — Copyright.)

Rec. Dec. 20, 5.5 p.m. SYDNEY, Saturday. The weather for the continuation of the Test Match was ideal. Woodfull' and Rigg batted solidly and raised the score to ten short of the South African total before the eaptain lost his wicket. This happened off the first ball he opened his should to. Woodfull had played a characteristic knock and broke the back of the howling when in the forties. Rigg was twice dropped by Cameron in Bell's second over to-day. At luneh the visitors' total had been • passed. After the adjournment, Bradman and Rigg increased the scoring rate. Rigg reached the coveted century after 192 minutes. He had never been really comfortable, but this innings should break bim into form. The first hundred had taken. 112 minuteS and the second 98 minutes. Bradman moved along with his usual freedom, despite accurate bowling, and he reached 50 in 85 minutes. Bell, who had bowled well, but with bad luck, then claimed Rigg's wicket. He had batted for 240 minutes and had hit 13 fours. The next hundred came up in 69 minutes with Bradman and McCabe going great guns. Bradman reached 100 in 147 minutes. This is his fourth successive century against the South Afrieans, thus beating McCartney's record of three. Bradman then had a lash and was caught in the outfield. He hit ten fours. McCabe and Nitschke scored quickly in the concluding stages. With a lead of 291 runs, and with three wickets in hand, Australia is in an almost unbeatable position. The attendance was 26,530 and the takings £2138. Scores. — SOUTH AFRICA First Inni'hgs 153 AUSTRALIA First Innings Ponsford, b Quinn 5 Woodfull, c Mitchell, b Vincent 58 Rigg, b Bell 127 Bradman, c Viljoen, b Morkel .... 112 McCabe, c Mitchell, b Vincent .... 79 Nitschke, b Bell 47 Lee, c Cameron, b Brown 0 Oldfield, not out j.... 4 Extras 12 Total for 7 wiclcets 444