England v South Africa 1909-10

p>Played at Johannesburg, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, January 1, 3, 4, 5.- The first of the five Test matches proved a good attraction, the cricket during the four days being watched by nearly 30000 people. It was a splendid game, South Africa winning in the end by 19 runs. The Englishmen on the opening day played in a style that suggested an easy victory. Thanks to Simpson-Hayward's lobs, the South African innings was finished off for 208 after the total had stood at 133 for three wickets, and then in an hour and three quarters Hobbs and Rhodes scored 147 without being parted. However, on the Monday, Faulkner and Vogler bowled in such splendid form that England's innings ended for 310. Rhodes was out at 159 and Hobbs at 190, both having played very finely. Going in for the second time with a balance of 102 against them, the South Africans hit up the big score of 345. At the close of Monday's cricket they had lost three wickets and were only 22 runs ahead, but on the following morning, after Campbell had been bowled and Nourse caught at the wicket, Faulkner found a very careful helper in Commaille, the eighth wicket adding 74. Faulkner played an uphill game with wonderful nerve and skill. He scored his 123 out of 216 in two hours and fifty minutes, and did not give a chance. The Englishmen looked to have excellent prospects when they went in with 244 to get to win, but the batting failed so badly against Vogler that at the drawing of stumps 100 runs were still wanted with only three wickets in hand. Thompson and Leveson-Gower were the not outs, and as long as they stayed together next day there was still hope. However, Leveson-Gower, who had given two chances, was bowled at 178- seventy runs having been put on in an hour for the wicket. Simpson-Hayward helped to add 32 runs, and was then caught from a skyer at cover point. Strudwick, the last man, went in with 34 still required. Fourteen of these runs were obtained and then Faulkner bowled Thompson, and finished the match. There was great enthusiasm at the close, Faulkner, who had scored 201 runs and taken, in all, eight wickets, being carried round the ground. All the twenty English wickets fell to Vogler and Faulkner- no other South African bowler sending down more than 14 overs in the game.