BRILLIANT BATSMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 498, 30 October 1928, Page 9

BRILLIANT BATSMEN

SECOND-WICKET RECORD SOUTH AUSTRALIA 496 FOR NINE (United. P.A —By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press AssocictionJ ADELAIDE, To-dav. The cricket match, England v. South Australia, was continued in brilliant weather. The wicket was faster than on the first two days. When stumps were drawn on Saturday the home eleven had lost one wicket for 155 runs in their first innings, after having dismissed the visitors tor 525. At the close to yesterday’s play South Australia had made 496 for nine wickets. Richardson (S 4) and Pritchard (29 >. South Australia’s not-out men, resumed batting yesterday morning. They completely mastered the English bowling and broke the record of 192 for a second wicket partnership in South Australia v. England matches by compiling 255 runs in 176 minutes. The brilliant batsmen attacked vigorously from the outset. Pritchard hit 11 fours in a bright, forceful display. He was dismissed when he attempted to pull one from White into the grandstand. RICHARDSON’S BEST SCORE Richardson made a magnificent showing, hitting hard in all directions. He reached his second century amid wild applause. It was his highest score in first-class matches. His previous best was 157 against New South Wales in 1926. The prospects of Richardson playing in the test matches have been considerably brightened. His innings lasted 307 minutes, and he hit 27 fours. The departure of Richardson saw a

change in South Australia’s position. Freeman’s bowling caused a temporary rot. He took three wickets for three runs.

From three w r ickets for 410 the score went to six for 455. Hack, the young South Australian wicket-keeper, shaped well. He was slow but solid, and scored 43 in 112 minutes. Pellew was playing first-class cricket, but after an absence of several years was unimpressive with the bat. The cricket was very quiet after tea, the later batsmen finding Freeman difficult. Leyland, who was not tried until late in the innings, secured two cheap wickets. The English bowling was on top after tea, the South Australian batsmen giving a weak display. Freeman greatly improved his average. Grimmett shaped well, with his typical careful style. Scores: — ENGLAND First Innings •• 528 SOUTH AUSTRALIA First Innings HARRIS, lbw, b Freeman 41 PRITCHARD, c Freeman, ~ White . 119 RICHARDSON, c Sutcliffe, b White 231 HACK, c Sutcliffe, b Freeman .. .. 42 PELLEW, st Duckworth, b Freeman 14 ALEXANDER, lbw, b Freeman .... 3 WHITFIELD, c Chapman, b Leyland 3 2 WILLIAMS, c White, b Leyland .... 0 GRUIMETT, b Freeman 23 WALL, not out .. .. 1 SCOTT, not out 0 Extras 6 Total for nine wickets 496 The second wicket partnership score of 255 runs made by Richardson and Pritchard beats the record for the test match series. The previous second wicke test record was 235, compiled by Macartney and Woodfull for Australia against England at Leeds in 1926. The English record for the same -wicket is 152, made by Gunn and Shrewsbury against Australia in 1893.

“SCARE FOR M.C.C.”

FLEET STREET PLACARDED FIRST SIGN OF WINDINESS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Kecd. 9.50 a.m. LONDON, Monday. Because South Australia made a big score. Fleet Street to-day was plastered with newspaper placards such as “M.C.C. Bowling Collared,” “Scare tor M.C.C.” After the first panic, when Geary broke his nose, and it was suggested that Fender should be called on, this is the first symptom of “windiness,” though" from the beginning the comments of sports writers have smacked of “whistling in the graveyard”—for instance, Ponsford, being cleanbowled after making only 79, also it being demonstrated that Grimmett was hittable, though the writer glossed over the fact that he took six wickets. Another commented that Ponsford was a super-optimist, and added that the best answer is on the field. “I think Chapman knows the way.” The “Evening Standard” draws comfort from the reflection that Australia, like England, will find It just as difficult to muster a strong attack without weakening the batting.

PEERLESS FIELDSMAN

RICHARDSON, ALL-ROUNDER PLUM WARNER’S OPINION (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 1.10 p.m. LONDON, Monday. “Plum” Warner, writing in the “Morning Post.” says that pessimists may say some hard things about our bowlers, after South Australia's score. The Australian wickets were so much in the batsmen’s favour, however, that bowlers must not be hastily condemned. One thing, he says, our bowlers will not lack support on the field. “Richardson must have played a great innings and must be a strong candidate for a place in the Australian eleven on November 30, especially as he is a peerless fieldsman at f mid-off, and a splendid catch in slips.--He is a remarkable fieldsman alike »* short-leg or out-field.”