FOURTH TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1921, Page 5

FOURTH TEST.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. THE VISITORS MAKE 284 AUSTRALIA fi FOR 267.' By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 13, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, Feb. 13. The weather was extremely hot for the second day of the fourth test match between England and Australia yesterday, and there was a groat attendance, every seat being occupied before play began. Armstrong had a tremendous reception. The overnight position was: England 270 for six wickets, and Douglas was 50 not out. Fender joined Douglas, and began by .scoring a single off’ the last ball of Malley’s unfinished over. Douglas played back to Mailey in the next over, 'and was gleverly caught by the bowler. He had occupied 138 minutes in compiling his 50. A batsmen’s rout then followed, Dolphin,, and Fender falling victims in rapid succession, and the taking of three wickets only occupied thirteen minutes. Parkin endeavored to score fast, and took all sorts of risks, his hitting and running causing amusement amongst the spectators. At 10 Parkin was ran out in attempting an impossible run, the innings closing for 284, after 310 minutes’ batting. Both Kelleway and Mailey bowled with deadly accuracy, and there was great excitement at the rapid fall of wickets. At 12.45 p.m. Douglas led his men into the field, Collins and Bardsley opening to the bowling of Howell and Douglas. Collins appeared uneasy for the first few balls, and then he hit Howell through the slips for four. Bardsley opened with a single to leg off Douglas, and Collins, driving Howell for two, reached double figures. Both batsmen were now playing with great confidence Bardsley glanced Howell to leg, and Collins hit the next ball to the fence for four. Parkin, who was fielding well, saved many runs by smart stops near the fence. Waddington replaced Howell when the score was 0 for 38. Bardsley brought 50 up by a leg stroke off Parkin,. in 35 minutes. At the lunch adjournment the score was 0 for 59, Colons 26 and Bardsley 31. Resuming after lunch, Parkin and Howell reopened the attack, the batsmen continuing, to play freely. Collins drove Howell to the fence, followed by a two, bringing up a hundred on the board after 75 minutes’ play. Collins and Bardsley, who were both 50, reached the half century in about the same time. Tn Fender’s next over Bardsley misjudged the ball and was clean-bowl*d— 1 for 117. Shortly after. Collins hit Woolley to leg, where Rhodes cleverly held the catch. Ryder, attempting to play a well-pitched ball from Woolley, was out leg before wicket —3 for 128. • At this stage a 3001 change in the weather set in. Taylor, who came next, had a lucky let-off by Howell, who missed a ball played into his hands The next ball was a hard one from Fender, and the batsman, playing back, hit his wicket. Pellew followed, but light rain stopped play at 3.50 p.m., when the score stood 4 wickets for 141. After tea Fender and Woolley conducted the attack, Pellew lifting Fender high to the fence for four, and the next ball fqr three. Woolley, who was bowling well,, sent down six maidens out of nine overs, his average being 2 wickets for 9 runs. The sun again came out brightly, and the game went merrily on till Pellew, who was batting dashingly, was completely beaten by a ball from Fender—s for 153. Fender’s average at this stage was 3 for 36.

Armstrong had a magnificent reception, the crowd cheering him for several minutes. He started * with a single to leg, and then drove Fender hard to the fence. Gregory lifted Fender high to the boundary, but Woolley, who was still bowling accurately, sent down three maiden overs. Parkin replaced Fender and Gregory dtove him for four, bringing up 201 in 207 minutes. Gregory, who was hitting all round the wicket, reached fifty in 112 minutes. Armstrong was playing cautiously, but brightened his innings by occasional well-placed strokes, his partnership with Gregory adding a hundred to the score. Gregory continued to punish Fender, and reached 67 in 83 minutes, and when piny ceased for the day Armstrong was 54, compiled in 86 minutes. Amidst great cheering, the batsmen played out time. The attendance was 35,291, of whom 23,291 paid at the gate, which realised £2650. Following are the scores: ENGLAND. First Innings.

Total 284 The wicketfe fell as follows: 1 for 18; 2 for 61; 3 for 104; 4 for 164; 5 for 270; 6 for 270; 7 for 273; 8 for 274; 9 for 275; 10 for 284. Bowling analysis. 1 for 46; Gregory, 1 for 61; Mailey, 4 for 115; Armstrong, 0 for 9; Ryder, 0 for 10; Kelleway, 3 for 37. AUSTRALIA.

TEST MATCH COMMENTS. Sydney, Feb. 12. The Telegraph says the English batting was of the bulldog spirit par excellence, but it was somewhat trying having to watch the slow scoring methods long since condemned. Two wonderful catches by Carter were features of the day. His general display stamped him as still “facile princeps”. k The Herald, states that at no stage

did the bat master the ball, although it was a batsmen’s wicket. Makepeace plodded steadily, but it was tiresome to watch. His motto was apparently “stay and runs will come.” Carter wai brilliant behind the wickets. • Received Feb. 12, 5 p.m. I London, Feb. 11. The Guardian says there is an unmistakable dramatic fatefulness hanging on the concluding tests. The Australians are sure to strive for a world's recordfive victories in five tests—while Maryiebone will strive not a jot less to prevent ignominy. If they return without one test English cricket will suffer such a. blow to its prestige as it has never known before. —United Service.

Hobbs, c Carter, b Macdqnald .. . .. 27 Rhodes, c Carter, b Gregory .. 11 Makepeace, c Collins, b Mailey .. ..117 Hendren, c Carter, b Mailey .... .. 30 Woolley, lbw, b Kelleway .. 29 Waddington, b Mailey .. 0 Douglas, e and b Mailey .. 50 Fender, c Gregory, b Kelleway .. .. 3 Dolphin, b Kelleway .. 1 Parkin, run out .. 10 .. o 6

First Innings. Collins, c Rhodes, b Woolley .. ... 5ft Bardsley, b Fender ... 56 Ryder, lbw, b Woolley ... 7 ... 67 Taylor, hit wicket, b Fender .. •* -*•»' 2 ... 12 ... 54 ... 10 Total (for five wickets) .. ... 297 —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.