FIRST TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1920, Page 5

FIRST TEST.

ENGLAND'S POOR REPLY.

INNINGS PRODUCES 190. DISAPPOINTING PLAY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. l'J, f1.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. l!>. The. test match between England and Australia was resumed yesterday jn tine, and hot weather. The wicket was in splendid condition. The attendance was 40,000, and the takings amounted to £4OOO. Half an hour sufficed to dispose of the Australian "tail". Oldfield placed his first hall to Rhodes at mid-oif, and the fieldsman fumbled it, hut, recovering control, returned it smartly to the wicket, where Ryder had backed up, hut was too late to prevent being run out. The Australian innings closed for 207. Russell and Hobba opened for England. The first ball was again fatal, Kelleway hitting' Russell's wicket, incidentally he being the first batsman to be elean-bowlcd in the match. Gregory bumped occasionally from the opposite end, but the batsmen eagerly pounced on loose deliveries, deflecting several to the boundary. At?«the third ball after lunch Hearne poked Mai'ley close up to the first slip, which Gregory accepted. Hendren, in the next over, sent a very fast one from Gregory to Mailey, at second slip, The fieldsman got his hands round it, but could not hold it. Gregory, in the next over, clean-bowled' Hobbs, who tvas attempting a glance. Hohbs rattled up forty-nine in brisk fashion, and never looked like getting out.

Woolley treated Mailey with the utmost respect, and in playing back made an uppish stroke, which just fell short of the slip. Mailey judiciously mixed loose ones with "bosies", in the hope that the batsmen would have a hit, but they were invariably despatched to the boundary. Woolley was particularly severe on them, pulling and driving past cover, in. brilliant stylo. Hendren' was 'bottled up, and was content . to allow his partner to forge ahead. Though the fielding was not without blemish, it was of a high-class character, and was a big factor in curtailing the score. Hendren,: when 28, skied. Ryder, and was caught at first slip. Gregory having bowled one over, Armstrong gave way to Mailey -fallen Douglas arrived. England's captain appeared uncomfortable against the puzzling slows, but he launched out and returned a hot one, the ball hitting the bowler on the head, temporarily laying him out. In the following over Woolley smacked a hard one high over the point's head, but Mailey sprang in the air and effected a brilliant one-hand catch.

After the tea adjournment Armstrong relied on Gregory and Mailey. Notwithstanding a tendency of the batsmen to punish loose ones, Mailey liberally punctuated his deliveries with something to hit, and Parkin was tempted, and lifted one to the boundary, where Kelleway dropped it. Mailey deserved better results, as his breaks from either side constantly worried the batsmen, many uppish strokes resulting. The "tail" end of the side offered little resistance, and the innings closed for 190.

Gregory bowled consistently throughout, though at the commencement he sent down several off the wicket, which were promptly glanced to the boundary He took three catches, acquitting himself with distinction in the field, which is a great tribute, considering the high standard throughout the match.

Collins and Bardsley opened Australia's second innings against Hitch and Waddington. Bardsley gave glimpses of international form, soon running into the twenties. Both' batsmen accommodated themselves to the bowling, neither taking unnecessary risks. With only half an hour to play, Donglas tried Parkin again, but, as in the first innings, he possessed no terrors for the batsmen. Scores: AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Macartney, b Waddington 19 Collins, run out 70 Bardsley, c Strudwick, b Hearne ~ 22 Kellcway, run out 33 Armstrong, st Strudwick, b Woolley 12 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Woolley .. 8 Taylor", 1.b.w., b Hearne 34 Pe'llew, c Hetidren, b Hearne 30 Ryder, run out ■>:• S Oldfield, c Ho'bbs, b Parkin ....>». 7 Mailey, not out 10 Extras •••■: H 'Total , 207 The wickets fell as follows: 1 for 40, 2 for 80, 3 for 140, 4 for 1113, 3 for 173, C for 170, 7 for 244, 8 for 249, 10 for 207.

Bowling analysis: Hearne, 3 for 77; Woolley, 2 for 35; Parkin, 1 for 58; Waddington, 1 for 35; Hitch, 0 for 37; Douglas, 0 for 14, Waddington bowled one no ball.

Second Innings. Collins, not out 17 Bardslev, not out 23 Extras ;.-.. . 6 Total (for no wickets) . .40 ENGLAND. First Innings. Russell, b Kclleway (l Hobbs, b Gregory 4!l Hearne, c Gregory, b Mailey 14 Hetidren, c Gregory, b Ryder , 28 Woollev, c Mailey, b Ryder 52 Douglas, st Oldfield, b Mailey ... 21 Rhodes, c Gregory, b Mailey 3 Hitch, c Kellcway, b Gregory 3 Waddington, run out 7 Parkin, not out * Strudwick, 1.b.w., b Gregory 2 Extras ...; 7 Total 190 The wickets fell as follows: 1 for 0, 2 for 50, 3 for 70, 4 for 143, 5 for 140, 0 for 15S, 7 for 105, 8 for 180, !) for 188, 10 for 190. Rowling analysis: Gregory, 3 for 50; Mailey, 3 for 95; Ryder, 2 for 20; Kellcway, 1 for 10; Armstrong, 0 for 2. The Sunday papers describe the play on both sides so far as disappointing, when the easy conditions of the wicket are considered.

, Mr. Charley Turner, an old international player, thinks the English combination not so good as many pre-war teams. As a whole the team tanks the finish and the general all-round effectiveness which characterised former elevens. He says the Australians treated the bowling far too seriously. The English bowling is certainly of' a good length, but it was lack of' forcefulness on the part of tha Auitr&lisn bnUaun that