CRICKET TEST.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 304, 8 December 1936, Page 6

CRICKET TEST.

ENGLAND RECOVERS « First Innings Lead Of 124 Runs. Press Association —Copyright. Brisbane, Dec. 7. England leads Australia by 124 runs on the first innings of the first cricket test at Brisbane. Having compiled 358 runs, England, for whom Voce took six wickets, dismissed the Australians for 231 to-day and had made 75 for the loss of two wickets when stumps were drawn. There are two more days of play. Unable to stand up to good bowling by Voce, Australia’s batsmen unexpectedly collapsed. England did not throw away the advantage by going for runs and risking the loss of several wickets. Instead, the batsmen wisely forgot about the lead and played steadily. England played magnificently before lunch, securing three more wickets for the addition of 51 runs. McCabe was the first to go. Soon after completing his 50 he was caught when making a hook shot just where Barnett made such a great effort to catch him on Saturday at mid-on, very wide and deep. He was also caught in this position in the New South Wales games, so he had not profited by the lessons. Robinson had scored only two when he was well caught low down at first slip by Hammond, and Chipperfield was taken at the wickets.

Voces’ Three Wickets. All three wickets fell to Voce. In two spells Voce bowled six overs, four of which were maidens, for six runs and three wickets. Allen opened the bowling but, giving two fours away in the second over, gracefully retired in favour of Voce. It was a good move, in three overs Voce took two wickets for two runs. Not one four was hit off him in .this session. It was altogether a brilliant perform’ ance. Fingleton played an admirable back-to-the-wall innings, adding 28 in 90 minutes before lunch .taking exactly five hours for his century, which was completed 35,minutes after the interval. It took him a long time to get the last run, creating tepse excitement. His mission was to stay there and try to give Australia a chance to recover.

Tail Soon Dismissed. Ultimately Allen and Voce took a new ball and the tail was soon dismissed. McCormick had a runner and was applauded for his pluck in appearing. Voce was perhaps helped by weak play when batsmen went for balls on the off side, but six wickets for 41 runs against such a supposedly powerful batting side is a truly marvellous feat. In 10.6 overs to-day he took five for 16. Verity was a perfect foil. He took only one wicket for 52, but indirectly he contributed to some of Voce’s wickets. His turn should come later in the match. Australia was handicapped by the loss of McCormick, so McCabe was one of the opening bowlers when England batted a second time. The attack lacked sting, with nobody above medium pace. Worthington had scored only eight when he missed a yorker from McCabe. He bad the mortification, of finding the ball rebound from the wicket-keeper’s pads and just shake the bails off, and he was out, stumped. Barnett was completely out of touch. Several balls from O’Reilly found the edge of his bat, and he was itfmost bowled in the fifth ball of O’Reilly’s first over. He was eventually caught at deep square-leg off Ward, having a swing at a ball outside his legs. Details of the scores are: AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Fingleton, b. Verity 100 Badcock, b Allen g, Bradmajj, c Worthington, b Voce 33 McCabe, c Barnett, b Voce .... 51 Robinson, c Hammond, b Voce .. 2 Chipperfield, c Ames, b Voce .... 7 Sievers, b Allen s Oldfield, c Ames, b Voce 6 O’Reilly, c Leyland, b Voce 3 Ward, c Hardstaff, b Allen 0 1 McCormick, not out i Extras io Total 234 Fall of wickets: One for 13, two for 39, three for 166, four for 176, five for 202, six for 220, seven for 229, eight for 231, nine for 231, ten for 234. Bowling. O. M. R. W. Allen 1G 2 71 3