FIFTH TEST.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 129, 24 February 1908, Page 7

FIFTH TEST.

RAIN INTERFERES WITH THE PLAY,

HUTCTINGS' BAD LUCK. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPTRIQIIT. (Rec. Feb. 22, 6.55 p.m.) Sydney, February 22. Light showers fell in tho morning, but it was dry, with a hard southerly gale blowing, when England's two not out men, Hobbs and Gunn, resumed batting. ' ' Tho wicket was slow but easy, when tho stumps were, drawn last night, but tho rain mado it a bit moro difficult at the start today., ; • After Hobbs , had added seven, Saunders bowled him—two for 135. The score mounted quietly, and then rain prevented play for a quarter of an hour. ■On resuming, Hutchings was run out. Gunn callcd him, but repented ; when Trumper returned smartly to tho wicket-kcepe):. By this time Hutchings was three parts of tho way down. Tho wicket-keopor throw to Saunders, tho bowler; and Hutchings, who did not ; attempt to get was dismissed— threo wickets for 168. After .lunch Hardstaff commonced hard hitting, getting into double figures in threo strokes. Then , a heavy shower drovo tho players to the pavilion. Tho wicket , gpt such a drenching , that play was abandoned for tho day at 4.30 p.m. The. scores are:—, ENGLAND. : . ■ ; • First Innings. 1 : Faho, b. Noble, ... ... ... ...' 0 Hobbs, b.. Saunders ... ... ... .72 Gunn, not out ... ... ... 77 Hutchings, run out ... ■ ... • ...' 13 Hardstaff, not out ... . ••• ... 17 . Sundries ... ' ... ... : .■ 8 ' Total for threo wickets ... ... 187 WEATHER CONTINUES BAD. : (Rec. Feb. 23, .4.43 p.m.) Sydney, February S3. , A soutli-'easterly ■ gale with heavy rain prevails, through' the night, -and-'continues today.' ■ , \