FIRST TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1920, Page 5

FIRST TEST.

AUSTRALIA'S FINE INNINGS. £32 FOR FIVE WICKETS. COLLINS PASSES THE CENTURY* By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 20, 7.30 p.m. ' Sydney, Dec. 20. Play in the teat match was continued to-day in fine weather, the wicket being still sound. The attendance was 25,000.

Collins and Bardsley imparted a eerious note into their play, bo markedly in evidence in the first innings. Douglas took a hand with the ball, making the fifth bowler, but owing to the changes possessed little element of danger for the batsmen, who determined to play cautiously and pick the loose ones. The spectators, disregarding the necessity for careful, batting, pined for a bright and enterprising display, but in vain. When in the forties, Collins pulled Parkin low to square leg, and Hearne got his right hand on it, but was unable to hold. it. Shortly after, Bardsley. plaeed Hearne in front of cover point and ran, but endeavoured to return when Hobbs looked dangerous. Bardsley slipped in turning, but Hobbs overran the ball, enabling the batsman to regain the crease. This let off was not of anuoh benefit, as Bardsley opened out and Hearne clean bowled him.

Macartney was satisfied to proceed slowly, but was responsible for several fine shots, which were unproductive as the result of fine fielding. At intermittent periods Collins momentarily sparkled, but quickly lapsed again to steady play. With the total at 179 Douglas tried Rhodes, who was thus .tho 'seventh bowler. His second ball almost brought about the downfall of Macartney, who jumped out of the crease to meet x the ball, but missed. So did ' the batsman a. yard outside the crease. Undeterred, Macartney continued stepping down the pitch, executing several brilliant late cuts to offand leg drives to the boundary. Others equally brilliant were neutraii«od by fine work in the field, particulailv by Hendren. Collins, after a long spell, i" the nineties, reached his centuiy with a single fo fi<jiiare leg off Waddmgton. Ho took fhfab ahd ft half hours to compile the last ten, while Macartney was moving 'ftjob'ltfto Bfi Tho next over he liftedi .|sU|lflS fcutside mid on, where Wad-! }s&M|g&l accepted an ea<,v catch. ■ ''* k' B npxt OVPr ' ac '' j artn^^%ly) ( in* endeavouring .to make : la late cut pulled the ball on to his wicket. His-SO included nine bounI daries. Macartney was dismissed in precisely a similar way in the first innings. Taylor rapidly rattled up double figures, but a few minutes later he poked one from Douglas over Russell's head at second slip, the fieldsman being only ablo to touch the ball with the tips of his fingers. For this stroke the batmen- ran a single, '...JDniiglas varied the bowling, making frequent"change*, the three left-handers (Woolley. Waddington, and Rhodes) being treated with most respect by the batsmen. Kelleway, as usual, played "rock." When four he returned a. very hot one to Hearoe, who stopped it, but was unable to hold it. The crowd soon barracked Kellcway's stonewall tactics, and an appeal for leg before was eagerly answered by a section of the crowd with "out," "out." Taylor played stylish cricket all round tho wicket. He was caught by Woolley after he passed his fiftieth run. Scores:—

ENGLAND. First Innings > 190 AUSTRALIA. First innings 2V>7 Second Innings. Collins, c. Waddington/b. Douglas 104 Bardsley, b. Hearne r>7 Macartney, b. Douglas 0!) Taylor, c. Woolley, b. Parkin >. 51 Pellew, 1.b.w., b. Woolley ](! Kelleway, not out 23 Extras 12 Total for 5 wickets -.. 332 —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.