FOURTH TEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1921, Page 5

FOURTH TEST.

ENGLAND SCORES WELD. FOUR WICKETS FOR 362. SOME BRIGHT BATTING. By Telegraph,-—Press Assn.—Copyrigtt.

London, July 25. The fourth test match between England and Australia opened to-day. Tennyson (England’s captain) won the toss and sent Russell and Brown in to the bowling of Gregory and Macdonald. Brown, who opened ly, lifted rising balls over his shoulder and straight drove Gregory through Russell’s legs to the boundary. MacDonald maintained an excellent length and rarely rose above stump high.. The wicket was not suited to Gregory, who gave way to Macartney. In his second over Brown had a narrow escape of being caught by Gregory at first slip Both batsmen were hitting well in front of the wicket and registered a run a minute, arriving in the twenties together. Hendry replaced Macdonald but the wicket was lifeless and the bowler.i derived no assistance from it The batting slackened excepting an occasional drive, whilst a howling wind emphasised the depressing complexion of the game. The first hour’s play produced 47. Both batsmen sparkled temporarily, Brown vigorously square-cutting Macartney to the ropes and Russell straight-driving and pulling Hendry to leg. Armstrong took the ball at 61, and Brown sent his -first delivery to the deep leg boundary. Attempting a similar shot at the succeeding ball, he mishit it, Gregory accepting an easy chance at fine leg. Woolley, who followed, refused to touch Armstrong’s leg theory. He preferred Hendry, whom he drove in fine fashion. Macdonald resumed against the wind at 96, but was not above medium pace. Russell brought the century up in 105 minutes, and a few minutes later passed his 50 by pulling Macdonald to the boundary. Woolley was singularly unenterprising, particularly when opposed to Armstrong, who changed ends. At luncheon the score was one for 143. THE SECOND CENTURY.

Macdonald -and Armstrong resumed after lunch. Woolley ignored several of the latter’s deliveries, but was caught at long-on the fifth ball. He batted for 90 minutes—two for 1.45. Mead opened briskly. Ho watched Armstrong closely, and then decided to step down the crease to meet him. Play was without incident till Armstrong again dropped Russell in the slips, off Gregory The batsmen had then made -36 The second century was hoisted as the result of four hours’ play. Armstrong patiently persisted with the leg theory, but Russell refused to be tempted, whilst Mead continued stepping down the crease to smother the break-. After 250 minuses Russell reached his century, and almost immediately Gregory shifted his off bail. His score included nine fours. Tyldesley lashed at Hendry, who relieved Armstrong, but the ball was beating both bat and wicket. The play lacked life till the adjournment.

The spectators expected a bright display after tea, but for some unaccounts e reason the batsmen sorely disappointed them, as the bowling was without devil. It is presumed that England desired to occupy the crease while the wicket was lifelees, in the hope of getting Australia in and out twice on a bowlers’ wicket next day. Mead changed his mind and had a hit at Hendry and was caught at deep point. He had batted 150 minutes—four for 260. RUNS COME QUICKLY. The light was dull when Fender joined Tyldesley. Both batsmen had apparently been instructed to hit and opened their shoulders, runs coming more quickly than at any previous period. The latter drove and cut Macdonald in sparkling style. Twenty was added in 10 minutes, and the atmosphere was charged with electricity as the result of the bright batting. Tyldesley continued to score freely off Macdonald whom he drove vigorously. He scored eight in one over, and reached 50 with a lucky hit over the heads of the slips in 65 minutes. The crowd was wildly enthusiastic when he drove Hendry over the ropes. Three hundred appeared in 330 minutes. 'Six runs later Gregory replaced Macdonald, whilst Armstrong went on at the opposite end, but the scoring continued twice as fast as previously, inducing Armstrong to place three men on the boundary, where they were kept busy. The cricket sparkled in every department. Gregorv bowled faster, the fielding was superb, the. batting dashing, all to the setting of an excited and exhilarating crowd. One over of Gregory’s produced 16. Fender scoring 12 ; The partnership added 80 runs in 35 minutes. BLUNDER LEADS TO DELAY. Tennyson, at 5.50 declared the innings closed. Armstrong objected and a delay of 15 minutes occurred, during which a discussion arose as to whether England had legally the-right of declaring at that stage. There was a sensation when the Australians took the field again. A section of the crowd hooted them and cheered the batsmen on their re-appearing. Armstrong received a mixed reception on going on to bowl; one section of the crowd hooted, linn, but there was some cheering. Armstrong sat on the ground for two mmi utes, and when he rose again met a hostile reception at which Tennyson ami the umpire crossed the ground and i spoke to the crowd, play being held up a further ten minutes. It is remarkable that the English captain was so ionorant of the laws of the game as to make such a remarkable declaration. After the interruption the batting relapsed to the ordinary. Hendry, at second slip, dropped a simple* chance by Fender, who had then made 34, oil Macdonald. Fender eaueed merriment by tnakiu" a left-handed hit off ArmXng? scoring two. When stumps were drawn, England had lost four wie.kets for 362. ‘ The details of the play are: ENGLAND. i First Innings. Russell, b. Gregory •••-.- Brown, c. Gregor; b. Armstrong 31 : Woolley, e Pellew, b Armstrong .. « ' Mead, e. Andrews, b. Hendry . 47 (Tyldesley, not out •Fender, not out Extras * • Total (for four wickets) 3G -