CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

THE TEST MATCH. COMMENTS ON THE PLAY, 'iNGLAND’S POOR DISPLAY, By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. Received May 30, 7.50 p.m. London, May 29. Commenting on the test match, MacLaren writes: Such a lamentable exhibition of English tail-enders has rarely been seen. Richmond’s type bowling should not be played at expense of left-handers able to keep a length and turn the ball. Bardsley was evidently surprised by the leg-before decision, which the Australians accepted in a true cricketing spirit.

Several newspapers comment, on Armstrong bowling preliminary balls to the outfield on Saturday as arm oilers, and point out that this is contrary to the rules of Maryleboiie, which abolished trial balls when the batsmen are at the wickets. The Standard comments; “It seems the Australians can do as they like.’’—United Service.

London, May 29. Apart from Holmes, the English batsmen were seldom convincing after the first quarter of an hour, when Gregory found his length, while MoDonaldTs consistent Length ahd clever pace changes kept the batsmen on the defensive.

Richmond turned the ball a lot, aided by the worsening wicket. Bardsley and Armstrong batted stubbornly and carefully, but failed to master the bowling. Woolley was accurate and kept the defending. Four leg befores equals a test record. Mr. Sewell, writing in the Daily Chronicle, says that, if Fry is not available for tte other tests, he hopes that MacLaren will be induced t<* captain England. He would put some ginger into the batting about number eight. It was a mistake including Howell when there was rain about. If the game ends on a bowlers’ wicket, Makepeace will be sighed for. Although Saturday’s conditions were all in Howell's favor, the results were' nil because it was no good boiling wide of the off-stump to class batting. Mr. MacLaren, writing in the Sunday Express, says: “I think it a pity to begin tests on Saturdays, because so much can happen to wickets on Sundays, witt- the result that the winning of the toss becomes a greater advantage than ever. All cricketers want to see the element of luck eliminated as much as possible.” He declares that plenty of good amateurs in England are refusing to play owing to the lack of consideration shown their convenience. They prefer to stand down rather than undergo four months’ hard preparation.

Mr. Gilbert Jessop, writing in Lloyd’s Weekly, says: "Though the advantage is with the. Australians so far in the first test, there seem all the makings of a pretty finish. England's batting was not a true criterion of its run-getting powers. I have sufficient confidence in tl?e team to prophesy that the second innings will be worthier of English test batting traditions. With rain in the offing, our advantage in winning the toss disappeared, but with a continuance of fine weather, we need not despair of the match being saved. Bardsley’s innings was the day’s outstanding batting feature. For soundness, combined with clean, incisive strokes, I doubt whether he ever played better. He appearto to be set for a. century before he misjudged Woolley’s pace. As a whole the wicket gave some assistance to the bowlers, the. differing paces of the ball when leaving the ground keeping the batsmen hi continual uncertainty. The Australian bowling was extraordinarily good. Gregory, after an interval of stiffness due to the cold wind, bowled as well as I have ever seen a fast bowler

in tests. His knack of making the ball rise suddenly entitles him to be classed with Richardson and Lockwood. Though his figures do not flatter him, McDonald was scarcely Gregory's inferior..