Australia v England 1932-33
Toss: Australia
For the fourth time Jardine lost the toss, and in the first over Richardson was out. Woodfull and Bradman carried the score to 59, but then Woodfull played-on and in the next over Bradman left at 64. Thenceforward, matters went well for Australia. The score was 67 for three wickets at lunch, and O'Brien and McCabe afterwards played finely, although O'Brien was twice missed in the slips. Altogether the two batsmen added 99 runs at the rate of about one a minute. At the tea interval Australia had 183 on the board with four men out, and then Darling followed the success of his colleagues by playing a very bright innings. The fifth partnership realised 81 runs, McCabe having been in nearly three hours. Darling and Oldfield next added 84, and when play ceased for the day the score stood at 296 for five wickets, this being the highest number of runs scored on the first day of any of the Tests. Darling, Oldfield and Lee all batting well on the second day, Australia added another 139 runs to their overnight score, the total of 435 being better than anything they had previously accomplished. Lee hit up 42 out of 57 in thirty-five minutes.
The success of the younger members of the side was, from the Australian point of view, very gratifying. It was, however, estimated that England missed no fewer than fourteen catches. Australia were also at fault when England went in, Jardine giving two chances in scoring less than 20. He left at 31, but then came some brilliant batting, Sutcliffe and Hammond being in their very best form while adding 122 runs. Sutcliffe played well, but was overshadowed by his partner who drove and turned the ball to leg in wonderful style. But like several of the others he was let off. When the partnership ended Larwood was sent in to play out time, England, with 159 runs on the board and two men out, finishing up 276 behind. During the afternoon, protests were made by the Englishmen about Alexander scratching up the pitch after he had delivered the ball, a fault which had been noticed during the previous tour.
On the Saturday, England batted all day and finished up only 17 runs behind with two wickets to fall. Continuing his innings, Hammond did not play in quite the same brilliant style, and most of the applause was earned by Larwood who drove in glorious fashion and treated the spectators to a great display. He and Hammond put on 92 runs, Hammond, after being in nearly three hours and a half for his second hundred of the tour in Test matches, being dismissed just before lunch. England at that point were in a comfortable position, and Larwood and Leyland, after playing themselves in, added 65 in as many minutes. Then Larwood, trying to place the ball to the on for a two or reach three figures, did not time his stroke properly and was caught by Ironmonger, a notoriously bad fieldsman. Larwood treated the bowling as no other of the Englishmen had previously done. He made his runs in two hours and a quarter, hitting a six, a five and nine 4's, and being fourth out at 310. He was loudly cheered. Bad judgment in running cost the wickets of Leyland and Ames, while Wyatt played a dull, colourless innings. He was out in the last over of the day, having been in two hours and forty minutes for 51.