CRICKET.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 September 1921, Page 3

CRICKET.

AUSTRALIANS’ FIRST DEFEAT. BY ENGLISH AMATEURS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. London, August 36. The Australians, in the second innings, only made IG7, and suffered their-first defeat this tour by 28 runs. The scores were;— ENGLAND. First Innings 43 AUSTRALIA. First e lnnings 174 ENGLAND. Second Innings 326 AUSTRALIA. Second Innings. Collins, c H. Ashton, b Gibson 12 Bardsley, b Gibson 22 Carter, c Ashton, b Falcon !♦> Macartney, b Falcon Andrews, b Faulknec 31 Pellew, c H. Ashton, b Gibson .....»•••« 16 Ryder, c G. Ashton, b Gibson 28 Gregory,* lbw, b Gibson * D Armstrong, lbw, b Faulkner H McDonald, not out - 9 Malley, b Gibson Extras 8 Total 16' Bowling analysis—Falcon took two wickets for 82 runs, Gibson six for 64, Faulkner two for 13. The Australians unexpectedly met their Waterloo in tto Eastbourne match, which proved full of surprises. The English amateur team, after putting up a first innings score which was a record for smallness so far as the Australians’ tour was concerned, snatched a victory in the end by the narrow margin of 28 runs. Of the thirty-four matches played the Australians had won or drawn the previous thirty-three. The weather was sunny and cool after slight rain on tho previous night. The wicket was fast and easy and the attendance three thousand. With one wicket down for 25 Bardsley and Carter resumed, Gibson and Falcon being the, bowlers. The batting wa.i guarded and scoring slow. The second wicket fell at 52, Bardsley playing forward to Gibson, and Carter went without addition to tho score, finely caught at point. Macartney and Andrews were then associated. The fielding was exceptionally good, and only five runs were scored in nineteen minutes. Macartney gave a difficult chance at three /behind the wicket, off Falcon. The pair carried the score to 73, when Macartney was bowled, playing over to Falcon. The position was becoming interesting when Pellew arrived, and the batting was characterised by the greatest care in avoiding the slightest risk. The century was hoisted in 87 minutes, and three runs later Pellew was cleverly caught in the slips. Fire wickets were thus down for 103.

After luncheon Andrews and Ryder continued safe tactics until Ryder got two lucky fours off Gibson, and thrice sent Falcon to the boundary. Falcon had now less sting than in tte first innings. This brought about the first change of bowling, Faulkner coming on at 140 for Falcon. Ryder again opened his shoulders to Gibson and drove him to deep cover, where G. Ashton took a brilliant ftiteh.—Six for 143.

Tho simmering exxeitement grew demonstrative when Gregory; with the score unaltered, was out leg before. Armstrong assisted to carry the total to 15?. at which point Faulkner elided Andrews’ praisworthy innings. Armstrong succumbed the same over.—Nine for 158. McDonald lit up the play with a final flash, but soon lost Mallei’, and the innings was over in 153 minutes.

It concluded amidst the wildest enthusiasm. The spectators crowded roimd the pavilion and called the players out one by one

and vociferously cheered them. This was MacLarcn’s last match In first-class cricket. In response to calls, Mr. Thornton made a speech eulogising the Australians and spoke highly of England’s young crlckotcrS. Armstrong said ho was glad to give credit to the better side on the play in the match. He was glad that the side was captained by MacLarcn, who would never have another opportunity to beat his side. Musical honors concluded a remarkable scene. COMMENT ON fHE MATCH. WHY ENGLAND WON. Received August 31, 5.5 p.m. London. August 31. The Morning Post attributes England’s victory over tho Australians to the fact that the English team was fresh. None of the men had been overplayed, and several were very short of practice, whereas the Australians have been playing incessantly since the beginning uf the year. *

The Dally News puts up a heading: "Eastbourne; a cinder from the ashes.’’ All the

newspapers display headings and rejoice over the Australians’ first defeat.

MacLaren writes in the Daily Express "Tho chief factor in beating the Australians was Falccn’s excellent bowling on the first •lay, which was backed up by excellent fielding and catching, in which the Cambridge men especially shone. Faulkner, in tho second innings, played one of the highest class knocks, / and dealt with Mailey and Armstrong as they have not been treated this season, Jor ho killed them by the thoroughness of his tactics. Our fielding in the Australians’ second innings was of the highest class, such as has not boon seen in any tetit match. The Australians took their defeat like the real sportsmen I have always known them to be."

The Evening News says the Australians will doubtless appreciate tho irony of the situation, for their wonderful record has been smudged by what, after all, is a scratch amateur side, and not a formidable one at that.

The Daily Chronicle states that the surprise vi;tory of tho English eleven cost the Australian team £15,000.

Armstrong told Mr. G. E. C. Wood that If the team had come through the tour unbeaten* each member would have been presented with £lOOO.

Throughout the game the English- fielding was brilliant; not a single chance wajs missed during the three days.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP. EXCITING FINISH. London. August 30. interest in the Australian match was overshadowed by the championship match at Lords, where Middlesex was meetlug Surrey. The I'ormer gave auotfaer remarkable fourth Innings performance. The wicket was easy and, after Lee’s dismissal at 48, Twining and Hearne steadily wore down the bowling. They never attempted to force the pace and took no risks. Despite countless changes in bowling, the score rapidly mounted till tho championship was assured for their side. The partnership 'put on 229 (Twining 135, Hearne 106). Hendren made tho winning hit after 5% hours’ play.

As news of tho great fight was 1 published, thousands journeyed to Lords, a constant si ream arriving until late in ti e afternoon. There was tremendous enthusiasm at the close. Thousands gathered in front of the pavilion, cheering Twining, Hearne and Hann, the captain of Middlesex. Received August 31, 5.5 p.m. London. August 31.

Playing for Lancashire against .Essex, Ernest Tyldesley scored the first double century in one niatcii during his career. lie scored 165 and 123 undefeated.

For Yorkshire against Essex, Rhodes took five wickets for 2« runs.