AUSTRALIA OPENS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 396, 3 December 1932, Page 5

AUSTRALIA OPENS

(Press. Assn.-

worried by fast bumping ; dEliveries of the englishmen SIX WICKETS FOR 290

— By Telegraph — Oopyrlght).

Kec. Dec. 2, .4u p.m. Syd'ney, Dec. 2. Although only 63 runs wore scored in 90 minutes before lunch there were thrills aplenty for" big ^ricket, &t the opening of the first test." When stnmps were drawn, Australia had lost six wickets for 290 runs. Woodfull, after winning the toss, aceompanied Ponsford to the wicket, which was a batsman's paradise. The : weather was cool with a wind blowing across the pitch. Larwood and Yoce had charge of the bowling attack. The batsmen played the former carefully though eonfidentally, but Voce, with five fieldsmen clustered around the leg stump, made the ball fly awlcwardly. After watching several bumping balls from Yoce go over his head, Woodfull swung at one and snicked it to the wicket-keeper. Ponsford and Fingleton were both struck on the body by Larwood, but stuck gamely to the task and were going along nicely at lunch. Fingleton survived two leg before appeals, narrowly escaped being run out and edged one dangerously into the slip. Ponsford, however, was always at ease and leg glances were prettily executed. The bowling was accurate and the batsmen found difficulty in penetrating the field. Five bowlers were used, Jardine changing the combination every four overs. Larwood shattered Ponsford's wicket in the first over after lunch. Fingleton spooned one up at forward leg in the fast man's second over, and Kippax succumbed in the first over. Larwood then had three for 20, and with four down for 87, Australia was in a sorry plight. In this period after lunch Larwood captured three wickets for seven in five overs, three of which were maidens. It is significant that Larwood's suecess came when he changed from leg to leg series. It is quite apparent that this type of attack has Australia worried. McCabe and Richardson were then associated in a bright partnership, adding 50 runs in 48 minutes, and carrying the total to 154 at tea. Richardson was restrained, but McCabe was forceful, reaching the fence five times. Voce, having wounded all the batsmen but Woodfull, was hooted and counted out by the "hillites" when he continued his bumping taetics. The partnership of McCabe and Richardson was now batting freely and showed a solid defence and hard driving. Whenever a shot penetrated the field and reached the boundary, Jardine changed his men round. When one short of the half century, Richardson fell a victim to Voce's leg trap. Richardson faced the fast bowlers with absolute confidence. He batted for 113 minutes, and with McCabe saved Australia from a probable rout. The eheering was almost deafening when McCabe hit Allen to the fence to reach his century. He batted 161 minutes and hit 13 fours, he played a forceful innings. McCabe and Grimmett added 50 for the seventh wicket. The fieilding was good without being brilliant. The attendance was 46,709 and the takings £4467. AUSTRALIA. — First Innings. Woodfull, c Ames, b Woodfull 7 Ponsford, b Larwood 32 Fingleton, c Allen, b Larwood 26 Kippax, lbw, b Larwood 8 McCabe, not out 127 Richardson, c Hamond, b Voce 49 Oldfield, c Ames, b Larwood 4 Grimmett, not out 17 Extras 20 Total for six wickets 290