THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 43, 20 February 1905, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIAN CRICKETERS.

j MATCH AGAINST WID__tNGTON. 1 AUSTRALIANS SCORE 383 FOR EIGHT WICKETS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Saturday. As was expected, there was a large *ite_da-a-ee to witness the Australiaas a* the wickets to-day. It was larger wan than when Lord Hawke's team was "paying. After Noble had finished off Wetting-ton's innings, Hopkins and Gregory filled in the time before the lunch adjournment. When Hopkins was disposed of Trumper appeared for a period altogether too brief for the spectators' taste. Many of them had -oome to see the renowned Sydney batsman, and to see him only. No doubt load players did not share in their regrets, especially as they had a full afternoon's leather-hunting in store for them. Gregory and Duff found no difficulty in topping the Wellington score by themselves. It looked very much as though when tbat was accomplished Gregory considered he had done enough, and threw his wicket away. His innings was a charming piece of batting, and if it is considered that tbe object of the visit is to educate our cricketers they could learn a bookful from Gregory's method alone. His running between the wickets was especially good. They backed up smartly, and were always ready for a run, and their judgment of the pace at which the ball was going towards the field was strikingly accurate. Duff batted in lusty, forceful style, but not with Gregory's sureness and ease. A number of his strokes went where he did not expect them to, but Gregory's always went to tbe right place. After these Hill gave another edition of Duffinnings. He hit with all a left-hander's vigoin-, and treated the bowling with extreme disrespect. Like Duff, he sent one ball over the ropes, and in the end threw away a certain century by trying to repeat the stroke. Noble was in a long time for Hi. He mostly watched Hill punch tbe bowling about. He was bowled by a good ball from Monaghan, a fate that afterwards befell Gehrs at the hands of the same bowler. At the close of the day's play the score had reached 353, with two men still to get rid of. A one innings defeat is in prospect for Wei-

lington. It had already been shown that local cricketers this season are hard up for bowlers, and some of the bowling to-day was very poor. The fielding, too, was lackadaisical, and even when the batsmen were stealing runs there were men in the field who could not be induced to pick up and return tbe ball -nnartly. Many runs were given away >.' this carelessness, for which there

'.'s no excuse. Blacklock, however, put in some excellent work, and the catch that disposed of Hill was really an exceptional one. With Hopkins and Trumper out for 47. Gregory and DnlT were associated, the partnership realising 142 runs. They provided some most attractive batting, while Gregory showed the finished ease of the veteran. Duff went in for hitting, and put great power into his stroke. Monaghan seemed the only bowler that troubled him, and several times the batsman lifted him. more by luck than intention, to gaps in the field. A third similar stroke gave Cobcroft a difficult chance, which he could not quite reach. Both men ran smartly between the wickets, and by way of * warning stole a third run while Hutchings stood considering, to all appearance, whether it was worth while to throw in the ball or not. The lesson was not lost, and had a perceptible effect in brightening up the fielding. Gregory remained quiet for a few overs, but when Duff threatened to overhaul him, started off again, and repeatedly found the boundary line. His leg hitting was especially productive. Hickey and Briee were tried, but 100 had resulted after an hour's batting. A little later Duff jumped out to Tucker, and landed him over the ropes for six. The next ball he skied over the bowler's head, but no man was near. The scare advanced to 150. at which stage Gregory was 69 and Duff 47. Amused roars came from round the fence as this bright pair of batsmen b us tled the field to such an extent that two's were sneaked from hits for which nothing should have been scored. Gregory was always yards down the pitch as soon as tbe ball left the bowler's band. Hickey brought dv again, and ho.wl,ed mostly long hops, so tha-t 22 resulted, in three overs, and then the seventh bowler was tried in Redgrave. Duff got in a clipping drive, which made the crowd at the fence scatter as the ball bur-tksd over it. At thi* stag© Gregory, who had reached 75, appeared anxious to finish off his innings, and to emulate Duffs lofty drives. His first attempt went into Vfeybonroe's hands at long-on, and was missed; tbe next struck the fence, and took the score beyond Wellington's for the loss of only two wickets. Gregory tried to. repeat the stroke in precisely the same spot, and Barton took it. Rather more than h4lf of Gregory's total cam* from boundaries: 3—^-85— 189.

As is not unusual after, a long partnership, Duff quickly followed bis predecessor, to tha pavilion. He played a long-hop into (.'ohcrort'-s )iami_s at midoft. Presumably tbe. style Duff adopted is not hi;; usual one. for be took many risks. He bit one six ami five fourV: 4—70—19,'!.

The over in which IXiff was disponed of was the Srsjt maiden over that bad been bawled during tlw. day.' Having got- rid of I_c two Sydney cracks, the bowlers were "HOW cent routed by am other notable pjyt" iv Hill and Noble, who kept together for an hour. These two presented a striking contrast. Like. Dull', tbe lef t-liamter- did not bother to play himself in, but weat at tbe bowliug from the jump, while Noble contented himself with singles, and made no effort to force the pace Notwitlistan-ding- tlie cx-tra men in the field, the/ could not be kept in line; with Hill's determined drives.. He jumped out boldly, and found gaps every time. Four followed four to the on, to the off, and to the leg. He ran his score up four times as fast as his partner. Numerous changes were resorted to without till Monaghan took the ball. IGJI began by knocking him over the ropes for six. A better hit even than Duff's, and the next ball gave Maboney a chance oi stumping, but he was too late. Noble, whose score began with 11 singles, then took the liberty of hitting a two and four, after which he was ciean bowled by Monaghan. Of the 99 made while be was in. Hill claimed GS, which shows the respective rate of scoring of the two men: 5—16—283.

Armstrong was Hill's next companion; aad 300 came _j> at five p'ckral _

At the same time Hill put himself equal with Gregory, and pulled one of Briee's to tbe off, which would have been a chance had Barton started earlier. The Victorian batsman, with tbe aid of a couple of boundaries, reached double figures, Hill quickly ran to 91. Hawthorne was then put on for the | first time, and was immediately hit by the left-hander to the fence." With only five wanted to complete his century, Hill made a great bid for it. by jumping at the new bowler again, with intent to drive hhn out of the ground, but Blacklock, who had been fielding really well all day, took the ball "sideways, though actually staggering among a fringe of -people inside the ropes. It was a fine catch. The Adelaide batsman's vigorous innings comprised a six and 12 fours: 6—9&—331. Five runs later Armstrong was caught at mid-off from the same bowler for 17: 7—17—33 G. Gehrs and Kelly then became associated. Kelly should have been caught at short-leg off the first ball, but escaped, and proceeded to bang at the bowling, while Gehrs, like Noble, was satisfied with singles. He had, however, only secured eight of them when Monaghan succeeded in getting his wicket with a ball similar to that : which was too much for Noble. He was the first man on the side who had failed to reach double figures: B—B— 387. MeLeod, who was next in, also took things quietly, while Kelly punched away and helped himself to a good share of runs. Just before the stumps were drawn Cobcroft took an over, making the ninth bowler employed during the afternoon. The change did not come off, and Kelly and MeLeod played out time with the total at 383 for eight wickets. Scores: — WELLINGTON.—First Innings, 183. AUSTRALL-NS.—First Innings. Gregory, c Barton, b Redgrave 85 Hopkins, c Mahony, b Upham 13 Trumper, c Briee, b Tucker 10 Duff, c Cobcroft, b Redgrave 70 Hill, c Blacklock, h Hawthorne 95 Noble, b Monaghan 16 Armstrong, c Cobcroft, b Hawthorne 17 Gehrs, b Monaghan 8 Kelly, not out 30 MeLeod, not out 7 Extras 32 Total for eight wickets 383 NOTES ON THE GAME. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday. The opportunity not often given to the Wellington public of seeing the Australian batsmen display their powers attracted fully 12,000 people to the Basin Preserve this afternoon. Gregory gave an entertaining exhibition, his timing. placing, leg hitting, and glancing, off and on driving clean along the carpet, and forceful hitting arousing hearty plaudits. He gave a chance in the outfield, when his score had reached 75 and thereafter went in for pure slogging. Duff batted nicely, and hit in powerful style. His beautiful clean carpet drives were a special feature. The Sydney batsman however, sided frequently, and had more than one escape from the fieldsmen. Hili batted freely, his crisp, clean and vigorous driving, both on and off, being ir strong evidence. The catch which sent him pavilionwards was a beauty, Bladelock taking the ball almost over the ropes- Armstrong made a few pretty straight drives. Xoblc played very quietly for his contribution, which wai. made up almost entirely of singles, aiu: never once did he attempt to force the pace. Kelly banged very freely, whiltGehrs failed to raise the expectation of the crowd. Of the Wellington bowlers Monaghan stood out for special prominence, the colt repeatedly perplexing the visitors with his swerving from the off. Duff and Hill were often tied in a knot with Monaghan's deceitful deliveries. H<secured Noble's and Gehrs' wickets with clinking balls. The visitors were very favourably impressed with the young Wellingtonian. Upham kept a decent length, but the visitors found it an easy matter to negotiate his fast deliveries. Hawthorne secured his two wickets cheaply, and Redgrave bagged the same number at some expense. The fielding of Blackloek in thcoutfield was superb The visitors piled on the runs at a preal pace during the Gregory-Duff and DuffHill partnerships.

TO--OATTS PX_A_\

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON", this day. Beautiful weather prevails for the cricket match, which was resumed at noon to-day. Upfeam and Monaghan bowled for some time without effect, most of the runs coming off the latter to Kelly. At 40 be gave a difficult chance to Barton at long-on, but the' fieldsman misjudged itHawthorn omugad in his first over he got Kelly raught in the same place, with the score at 12.30 at 425 for 9 wickets. Cotter, last man in, skied a ball at the wickets soon after going in. Mahonev and Hicksoh both went for it, and between them let it fall. At 433 tbe newcomer "was thrown out _rc_i the field by Weybourne. Hawthorn took 3 for 25, Redgrave 2 for SQ, Monaghan 2 for 92, Tucker 1 for 69, Upharo 1 for 102. The iun-.beon adournment iva_s taken when the last wicket fell. Following are the additional scores: — J. .1. Kelly, c Barton, b Hawthorn. . 58 A Cot ter, throw* out S C. MeLeod. not out 20 Extras - 33

TotaJ 433 THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM(By Telegraph.— Press Association.) Wl_ _*GTON. this day. It is understood that Mr J. Baker, of Dunedin, the sole selector, will pick the first New Zealand team to play against the Australians immediately on tbe eoiir elusion of the match against Canterbury, which begins next week.