THE FIRST TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1920, Page 5

THE FIRST TEST.

I AUSTRALIANS AT THE i WICKETS. A POOR DISPLAY. AUSTRALIA 250 FOR 8 WICKETS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 17, 7.45 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 17. The first test match commenced in fine weather, in the presence of ten thousand people. The wicket was not affected by the previous night's brief storm. Armstrong won the toss and sent in Macartney and Collins to oppose Hitch and Waddington. Both batsmen played cautiously for a number of overs, occasional singles alone breaking the monotony of a series of maidens. After thirty minutes' play, Hitch, who was punished to the exten't of fourteen in one over, was replaced by Parkin. Waddington quickly found his length, and, aided by a strong wind, broke awkwardly from the off.' Macartney, when 19, pulled a ball to his wicket. Bardsley settled down to careful play, yet unhesitatingly, and despatched loose deliveries to the pickets, and reached the twenties before Collins emerged from them, but, playing back to Heartte's slows, he snicked one to Strudwick. After lunch Collins, who at no stage was extra confident, lifted Hearne straight to Waddington at outside midon, but to the surprise of everyone, especially 'tho batsman, the fieldsman dropped the easiest of catches. Collins was then at 43.

In the next over the first century was registered in 104 minutes. Six minutes later Collins reached fifty. Kellaway vied with Collins for uninteresting batting, and the crowd began to barrack, but to no effect. After batting fifty-five minutes for fifteen runs, Kellaway was cheered for scoring a single. The crowd had grown impatient at the painfully slow run-getting. When Collins was at seventy Kellaway placed Douglas squarely to Hitch, who, smartly fielding the ball, unerringly aimed at the wicket before Collins could make good. Armstrong had a fine reception, and shaped like an artist straightaway, but the brilliant fielding of the Englishmen | kept his account down.

When stumps were drawn Australia had eight wickets down for two hundred and fifty.

Armstrong was full of promise, and went forward to Woolley, but Strudwick lifted his bails before he regained his crease. The diminutive wicketkeeper dominated the picture for a while; in fact, throughout the day he gave a capital display behind t>he stumps' Gregory was the next victim, opening his shoulders to a straight drive. Woolley, Australia's fast bowler, mishit the balj, and Strudwick brilliantly accepted the lightning shot. When Taylor and Pellew became associated after tea, 'the spectators were treated to the brightest play of the innings. The first-named player disconcerted the field by stealing cheeky runs. Both went at the bowling in vigorous fashion. Smart work in out-field, however, converted potential boundaries into singles, and incidentally was responsible for several hearbreadlth escapes. Houglas curbed the batsmen's enterprise by put/ting on Hitch whose off theory was left severely alone. Waddington's left-hand deliveries from the opposite end also commanded respect, to the detriment of prolific run-getting. ! _ After adding sixty-eight at a critical juncture, the partnership was broken, Taylor stepping in front of his wL>ket to pull Hearne, and was out, ke before.

With ten minutes to play, Pellew endeavored to force the pace, and lifted Hearne to the boundary, where Hendren made no mistake. Ryder brought up 200 in the second 'to last over, and with Oldfield played out time. The batting was not up to international standard, responsibility apparently weighing heavily on Australian shoulders. The British fielding was excellent, and saved innumerable runs.

The attendance totalled 23,000. Fol lowing are the scores:

AUSTRALIA.-First Innings. Macartney, b Waddington 10 Collins, run out 70 Bardsley, c Strudwick, b Hearne '.' 22 Kelleway, run out 33 Armstrong, st Strudwick, b Woo'liey 12 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Woolley 8 Taylor, 1.b.w., b Hearne 34 Pellew, c Hendren, b Hearne ... 3fl Ryder, not out ' 5 Oldfield, not out ..'.!!'..'." 0 Sundries 11

Total for S wickets 250