FINAL TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1921, Page 5

FINAL TEST.

ENGLAND v. AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIANS MAKE 392. MACARTNEY’S RECORD INNINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 27. The second day’s play in the final test match between England and Australia was commenced in hot weather. The wicket was excellent, and the stands were quickly occupied by shade-seekers. The bulk of the male spectators discarded coats and collars, and sought solace in handkerchief folds, the arena presenting a magpie spectacle. The Englishmen were obviously affected by the heat, the majority wearing sombreros and requiring occasional regaling with liquid refreshments. The attendance was 33,000, and the takings £3OOO.

The overnight position was that England had made 204 in their first innings, while Australia had lost two wickets for 70. Resuming yesterday, Macartney (31 not out) and Taylor (22 not out) settled down to careful play, but the latter added only, ten when Hendren annexed an opportunity at third man, off Douglas—3/32/89.

Macartney and Gregory played steadily, Gregory particularly watching the ball closely, but relentlessly punishing ■ loose deliveries. The batsmen gradually collared the bowling, and laid the foundation of a partnership which added two short of the double century to the score. Macartney, by perfect timing and crisp all-round-the-wicket strokes, further confirmed the reputation that he is in the first flight of the world’s batsmen. When 62 Macartney attempted to drive a no-lball to Fender, but he missed the ball and hit the wicket. Gregory then threatened to overtake Macartney, but the latter drew away, approaching the century and establishing a lead of 30 with Gregory, who entered the nineties, compiled by vigorous and forceful batting, chiefly in front of the wicket. At ninety-three Gregory touched a fast ball from Fender, Strudwick smartly accepting. Armstrong followed, but he was brilliantly taken in one hand at first slip by Woolley in the same over. Ryder was set the task of retrieving Victoria’s reputation, but he exposed his wicket. Fender promptly expressing appreciation by hitting the middle peg. Macartney opened out in artistic fashion, reaching 157 by a faultless display. By the tea adjournment Douglas had tried six bowlers before meeting with success. Fender, earlier in the day, had 33 runs registered against him for no wickets, but on his second visit to the crease he found his length.

Immediately after tea. Macartney abandoned caution, and indulged in boundary shots on the slightest provocation, equalling Collins’ 162—the previous best score in tests this season—after four hours’ play. A few runs later he lifted Fender to outside mid-on, where Hobbs took an easy catch. Macartney’s effort was a chanceless and brilliant display—7/170/356. Kelleway and Carter found the fence on several occasions before returning to the pavilion. Mailey, running down the pitch missed Wilson, and was clean-bowled. The innings terminated for 392. Fender bowled well, pitching in leg-breaks, and he carried off the bowling honors with 5 wickets for 90. The fielding, though greatly handicapped by the terrific heat, was excellent, Hendren, as usual, repeatedly eliciting applause for splendid work on the boundary. , England opened their second innings with Rhodes and Woolley, to the bowling of Macdonald and Kelleway. With one opposite his name Woolley played a straight bat to a good length ball from Kelleway, who, following up. effected a smart catch. Makepeace fared little better. He tipped one from Macdonald dangerously close to Armstrong’s left hand at second slip, and in the succeeding over he tempted Gregory at first slip, off Kelleway, and the fieldsman accepted—2/7/14. Wilson and Rhodes played out time. Following are the details:

AUSTRALIA. First Innings. Collins, c Fender, b Parkin 5 Bardsley, c Fender, b Douglas 7 Macartney, c Hobbs, b Fender .... 170 Taylor, c Hendren, b Douglas 32 Gregory, c Strudwick, b Fender ... 93 Armstrong, c Woolley b Fender ... 0 Ryder, b Fender 2 Ryder, c Strudwick, b Wilson ...... 32 Carter, c Woolley, b Fender 17 Mailey, b Wilson • ••• ••>&•?>; 5 Macdonald, not out 3 Extras .......... ..v. • 26 - • Total v—392

The wickets fell as follows: 1 for 10, 2 for 24, 3 for 89, 4 for 287, 5 for 287, 6 for 313, 7 for 356, 8 for 383, 9 for 384, 10 for 392. Bowling analysis: Rhodes, 0 for 23; Fender, 5 for 90, one no ball; Wilson, 2 for 28; Woolley, 0 for 58, one no ball; Parkin, 1 for 83; Douglas, 2 for 84. ENGLAND. First Innings 204 Second Innings. Woolley, c and b Kelleway 1 Rhodes, not out 10 Makepeace, c Gregory, b Kelleway 7 Wilson, not out 4 Extras 2 Total (for two wickets) 24 ENGLAND NOT HAPPY. MORE COMPLAINTS OF BARRACKING. Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 26. Fender in a cable to the Daily News, says the Australians bowled well. He adds: “There was something wrong with us. Hobbs was given out to a very half-hearted appeal, and afterwards nobody but Douglas looked like playing the bowling. The crowd barracked Hobbs for slow fielding despite his injury.” Wilson, in a cable to the Daily Express, says: “Australia is straining every nerve to win the last test.- Our batting was 'extremely disappointing. The game went against us before good bowling and fielding. It was unworthy for a section of the crowd to jeer at Hobbs, who was running lame.” The Times says: “Our unfortunate cricketers go from bad to worse. Handicapped by misfortune, and dispirited by defeats, they are unlikely to do anything exceptional against their opponents, whose belief in themselves must now be limitless.”—* Aus. and N.Z. Cable An*

Received Feb; 27, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 26. The Westminster Gazette says: “The English cricketers had bad luck in the matter of health. L T ndoubtedly the hot Australian climate severely tried the team, the members of which were not notable for their youth. Nevertheless it would be most unsporting to pretend that the Australians had not proved themselves superior in every department. Their batting was good to the last man, their bowling was more varied and effective, and" the fielding more certain than ours. We must trust to next season’s matches here to restore the English cricketers’ reputation. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 27.

The Fender-Wilson cables regarding the alleged jeering of Hobbs were cir-eufl-ated on the cricket ground on Saturday evening, and caused much indignant protest. Fender and Wilson admitted the correctness of the cables. Fender added: “You can hear more in the middle of the ground than in the Press stand.” Wilson maintained that a section of the crowd was hostile to Hobbs. He now said it was a disgrace, and he meant every word he cabled. The secretary to the board of control, and other leacjfing cricketers present, variously stigmatised the cables as absolutely wrong, ridiculous, unjustified and foolish. They unanimously held that Hobbs was given sympathetic encouragement, and in proof of this they quote the fact that quite a crowd gathered early in the forenoon to watch Hobbs try himself out, and general satisfaction was expressed when it was announced that he had come to the plucky determination to play, despite his injury. His appearance on the field at the opening of the innings, throughout the play, and when he was dismissed, were all greeted with appreciative applause and sympathetic comment. Another noticeable feature was that whenever Hobbs was making a run no Australian threw the ball at the wicket to which he was limping. It is ascertained that Hobbs himself made no complaint regarding his treatment.— Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

COMMENT ON THE TEST. SYDNEY PRESS VIEWS. Sydney, Feb. 26. The Herald says Hobbs played with enforced restraint, as he was hampered by h'is recent injury in regard to footwork, especially when endeavoring to bring into play his charming repertoire of on-side strokes. Woolley gave the best display of the innings. He is a free, vigorous, attractive, sporting batsman, always ready to take a risk. It is unusual to see two fast bowlers opening an attack, but it was nol a show bowler’s day. Kelleway secured the best figures, and also bowled best, several times missing the stumps by a coat of varnish. The Telegraph says if anything may be said about the match, which was poor; it is about the catching of Gregory. He took astonishing catches in the slips. Carter set the seal of greatness on his fame as wicket-keeper. Fender’s catching of Collins and Bardsley is reminiscent of Ranji or MacLaren. The Englishmen were in trouble throughout the innings, .which is a tribute to the bowling of Kelleway, who kicked and swung at will. The match is full of possibilities. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE ENGLISH TOUR. ARMSTRONG CAPTAIN. Sydney, Feb. 26. The Board of Control has appointed Armstrong captain and Collins vice-cap-tain for the English tour. Both, with Pellew, will be selectors. Kelleway’s successor has not yet been selected. Received Feb. 27, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Feb. 27. Hendry will replace Kellewav flftMßAh AUMT i