CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE FIRST TEST. FRY MAY CAPTAIN ENGLAND. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, May 18. The Daily News, asking who will lead England, says the announcement that Fry will captain the Marylebone team on Saturday to some extent lifts the veil of official secrecy. Saturday’s imateb will be a dress rehearsal. Good judges predict that Fry will be the final choice. It is a fact that M.C.C. has a great admiration for Douglas as an all-round cricketer, but does not fancy him as captain.

Fry has become the warm favorite for the test macthes captaincy. It is regarded as significant that he was chosen to lead the Marylebone team. Kennedy’s selection is regarded as testing him for the tests. Many experts prefer Hubble to Strudwick in order to strengthen the batting tall. Apart from these, attention will be mostly focussed on Stevens’ batting and Gibson's bowling. K Mr. Esewell, in the Daily Chronicle, proposes that the English team should be: Fry, Rhodes, Douglas, Strudwick, Richmond, Fender, Jupp, Hendren, Stevens, Woolley, and either Spooner, Evans, Gibson or Chapman. AUSTRALIA v. ESSEX. FIRST DAY’S PLAY. London, May 18. Essex, in the first innings, made 144. Following is the score:— ESSEX. First Innings. Gillingham, b Gregory 18 Mclver, b McDonald 9 Freeman, b Malley 25 Perrin, b McDonald 3 Morris, not out so Dixon, c Macartney, b Mailey 12 O’Connor, b McDonald i Eastman, b Gregory o Saint, b Gregory 8 Louden, c Gregory, b Mailey 3 Extras g Total 144 Bowling analysis—-Gregory took three wickets for 32 runs, McDonald four for 54, Mailey three for 50. THE PLAY DESCRIBED. Russell was unable to play for Essex owing to an attack of influenza. Armstrong is not playing owing to an Injury to his leg. Bardsley is resting his injured finger. Neither injury is serious. Carter was omitted. .

The weather was warm and bright and the wicket fast. The attendance was 10,000. Douglas won the toss and sent in Gillingham and Mclver to face Gregory and McDonald. The batsmen were lively, but when the total was 32 Gregory removed Gillingham's leg stump. The score was still unaltered when McDonald bowled Mclver. Perrin, who partnered Freeman, had a short and merry life, hitting 17 In six minutes; then McDonald scattered his wickets, breaking a stump.—3 for 52. Douglas joined Freeman. At 66 Mailey relieved McDonald to enable the latter to take Gregory's place at the other end. The change was effective. McDonald beat Douglas and smashed another stump. Morris came next, and Gregory missed him from a hard chance off McDonald. Freeman's patient Innings ended at 25, he being' bowled by Mailey., Dixon was given a life in the first over, Hendry failing to hold the ball. At twelve he gave a second chance, which Mailey accepted. The seventh wicket fell for 113. With the exception of Morris, who was aggressive, the defence against the good bowling was feeble, Gregory and Mailey quickly disposing of the rest.

AUSTRALIA BATTING, SIX WICKETS FOR 272. Received Maj’ 19, 5.5 p.m. London, May 18. Stumps were drawn when Australia had lost ,six wickets for 272. Scores:— AUSTRALIA. Firstf Innings. Collins, c Douglas, b Loudon 25 Macartney, b Douglas 25 Taylor, b Dixon 43 Gregory, b Eastman 14 Pellew, c Eastman, b Dixon 38 Andrews, not out 35 Ryder, c Freeman, b Douglas 16 Hendry, not out 3 Extras ig Total (for six wickets) 272

Collins and Macartney opened to Douglas and Loudon. Macartney played brilliantly until Douglas found his leg stump at 43. Taylor succeeded, and Loudon dropped him in slips off Douglas when he had scored a single. Collins was caught in slips of Loudon. A right, fast bowler replaced Douglas, and Eastman, a tali, right-hand medium bowler, was tried, and the scoring slackened. Gregory lost a wicket through playing back.—3 for 99. The century was hoisted after seven-ty-five minutes. The fiejding was a bit slow. The Tellew-Taylor partnership lasted fortj’ minutes and yielded fifty-six runs. Dixon, amongst several bowlers tried, found the latter’s wicket, and Pellew was dismissed by a spectacular catch by Eastman off the same bowler.—s for 166. Andrews gave an exhilarating display. Ryder was missed at the wicket before he gqt fairly going.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. PROFITS OF V.C A. Melbourne, May 19. The net profits of the Victorian Cricket Association last season totalled £lO,OOO. The aggregate attendance was 175,000.