TEST CRICKET

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 2 January 1931, Page 6

TEST CRICKET

AUSTRALIA V. WEST INDIES

CENTURY TO PONSFORD

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 2nd January. 9.5 a.m.) SYDNEY. Ist January.

Ideal cricketing weather prevailed for the second test between Australia and the West Indies. About 15,000 wero present when Woodfull won tho toss and elected to bat. Sealey was made twelfth man of tho West Indies team, which was: Grant, Birkett, Roach, Bartlett, Constantine, Headley, Martin, Scott, Francis, Barrow, Griffith's. A quarter of an hour’s day saw only three runs on the hoard. Then Jackson after earning applause for several artistic glances was brilliantly caught in the slips. 1-12. Bradman and Ponsford both had narrow escapes from being run out, the visitors fielding being very keen. Bradman scored the first four of the day when he swept Constantine to leg; then facing the same bowler Bradman survived a confident leg before appeal. Two boundaries by Bradman and one by Ponsford raised 52 in 62 minutes. Thrill followed thrill, for after being missed in the slips Bradman was caught behind. 2-52. Kippax notched two from the first ball lie received. In the next over a fieldsman appealed for caught and bowled against Kippax and Captain Grant ran up to congratulate the bowler, Francis, but the umpire said “No.” The visitors appear dumbfounded. Sensations continued after lunch, Kirwax being brilliantly caught at midon off the first over, and Ponsford snicking one dangerously through the slips to the fence and surviving an appeal for leg before his century. The hundred appeared after 156 minutes, Ponsford’s fifty taking 140 minutes. McCabe ami Ponsford added seventy-one by slow cricket before the former fell a victim to Scott. 4-140. Thunderous applause greeted Australia’s victorious captain. After the tea adjournment scoring livened up somewhat. a total of two hundred appearing in 201 minutes. Ponsford reached his century in the same time. Ihe next item of interest was a hundred partnership made in eighty-one minutes with the howlers tiring. Woodfull reached fifty in 114 minutes and Ponsford 150 m 271 minutes. Both were unconquered at stumps, Ponsford having played stoning innings which included twelve fours. There was an innovation at the cricket match when loud speakers wero installed round the group and music was broadcast during the day. From the same source it was announced that Bartlett, who left the field after catching Kippax had broken his finger and would take no further part in the match. The attendance was 22,058 and takings amounted to £1914. The scores were: —

AUSTRALIA .—lst Innings Ponsford, not out 174 Jackson, c Francis, b Griffiths 8 Bradman, c Barrow, b Francis 25 Kippax, c Bartlett, b Griffiths 10 McCabe, lbw b Scott 31 Woodfull, not out 38 Extras ,17 Yet to bat are Fairfax, Oldfield, Grimmett, Hurwood and Ironmonger. Total for four wickets 323

M.C.C. V. SOUTH AFRICA HOME SIDE IN~STRONG POSITION IN SECOND TEST CENTURIES TO SIEDLE AND MITCHELL' CAPETOWN, Ist January. Deane won the toss and South Africa batted first in the second test against the M.C.C. Twelve thousand were present. The wicket was easv. Siedle and Mitchell Wero comfortable from the outset and gradually obtained the mastery of the bowling. Without talking undue risks the batsmen, especially Siedle, went for tho bowline vigorously, and received an ovation when they surpassed the record for South African first wicket partnership of 171, established in the first test at Birmingham in 1929' by Catterall and Mitchell. Displaying a brilliant repertoire of strokes Siedle reached his century in 208 minutes. Mitchell on the contrary, frequently lapsed into a state of lethargy, taking 280 minutes for his hundred! The fielding was of the highest .standard. Siedle’s innings included thirteen fours and Mitchell’s eight fours. ■ Scores:— SOUTH AFRICA First Innings Siedle, c Chapman, b White 141 Mitchell, not out Npuen, not out 12 Ext.ras < “ Total for one wicket 280 South Africa is in a strong position as the wicket is crumbling. Much therefore depends on whether South Africa wilUbat all to-morrow, letting England bat on the last two days on a difficult wicket. The English team is the same as in the first test. Tlie South African team is: Deane, Nupen, Mitchell, Taylor, Catterall, Siedle, Cameron, Vincent, McCallum, Bell, Balaskas.