TEST MATCH FINAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1524, 21 August 1912, Page 5

TEST MATCH FINAL.

» ENGLAND BATTING. EIGHT WICKETS DOWN FOR 233 RUNS,

FINE OPENING STAND-

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright London, August 19. The last Test Match was begun at the Oval to-day between England and Australia. When stumps were drawn the home team had hit up 233 for the lost of eight wickets. There were heavy downpours of rain last night and early this morning. Play was delayed until noon. When play began the weather was bright and breezy, but unsettled. The light roller was put on tho pitch. The teams arc as follow:— Australia—Gregory, Bardsley, Mfnnett, Kelleway, Jennings, Macartney, Carkeek, Hazlitt, Whitty, Mat-thews, and Smith. England—Fry, Spooner, Rhodes, Hobbs, Foster, Hearae (J. W.), Woolley, Smith (E.J.), Barnes, Douglas, and Dean. Douglas and Dean replaced Hitch and Hayes. The latter is indisposed. 'Fry won the toss, and batted. The attendance numbered 12,000. Hobbs and Rhodes were, as usual, England's opening batsmen. The bowlers were Whitty and Matthews. A splendid stand resulted. Hobbs got a sharp single off the first ball, and Rhodes 2 off the sixth-4-he latter nearly 1 a chance to Matthews at short-leg. Matthews opened with a maiden, bowling off theory. The next four overs produced but a single. After ten overs rain descended, delaying play for six minutes. Hazlitt, who was doing smart fielding at point, damaged a hand, aad retired, M'Laren -fielding substitute temporarily. Hazlitt returned, and relieved Whitty at 29, Whitty taking the other end. | The batting was skilful and cautious, 42 runs going up as tho result of an hour's play. Rhodes, with a 4 off Hazlitt, sent up 50 in seventy minutes. At 59 Macartney 'replaced Whitty. Tho lunchoon adjournment was taken with the record 0 for 65—Hobbs 42, Rhodes 19. A slight shower fell during the luncheon interval. On play being resumed, the sky' had cleared 'again, and the ground was drying. The attendance had increased to 16,000. Macartney and Whitty bowled on resumption. At' 68, it was Matthews and Whitty. Rhodes, when 27, was nearly run out, CaTkeek gathering the ball in smartly. Rhodes, with a fine forward stroke off Matthews, who had no outfield, sent'the century after 105 minutes' play. In the same over Hobbs got a 4 to leg, and 3 to tho on. The next over saw o separation effected, Hobbs beihg taken at the wicket 6 off Macartney. One for 107. He had batted 110 minutes for his 66 runs, which had been made by admirable cricket, particularly to the on. Rhodes was now 35. This was by far the best stand of tho day. Spooner filled the. vacancy. .. Hazlitt re-placed-Matthews. Spooner, after scoring a single, was taken brilliantly left-hand-ed low at short-leg by Hazlitt, off Macartney. Two for 109. ■ . Fry was next. The bowling was steady, the batting quiet. The wicket was "doing a little," and the batsmen's defence was severely, tested. The fielding was excellent, Macartney being especially noticeable. Minnett replaced Hazlitt at 121. Tho greatest caution was exercised by the batsmen, an hour's batting producing but 26 runs. A section of the crowd "barracked" the English captain for his slow methods. "VYhitty replaced Macartney at 126. The change proved effective, Fry being easily taken by Kelleway at mid-on. Three for 127. Rhodes (48) was joined by Woolley. With 4 added, the newcomer lost Rhodes, who was bowled in playing forward to a slow bill from Minnett. Four for 131. The Yorkshireman had batted three hours for his 49, playing admirable and watchful cricket. His score included a e and three 4's. A shower delayed play for five minutes. Hearne, who followed Rhodes, scored a single, while Woolley got 9.-' At 144, Hearne was taken in tho slips by Jennings, off Whitty. Five for 144. The tea adjournment was taken at this stage. The weather, on resumption, was gloomy. There were now 18,000 people present. Hazlitt and Whitty bowled, Douglas - having joined Woolley. Tho bowlers were turning tho ball, -and having the batsmen in difficulties. When 16, Woolley narrowly' escaped playing on to Whitty. Kelleway replaced Hazlitt at 167. The hatting had become very quiet. When Douglas had reached 18, Whitty got him l.b.w. Tho retiring batsman had been at the l wickets 50 minutes. Sis for 180. Woolley (29) was partnered by Foster. Runs came slowly. At 198 Hazlitt bowled vice Kelleway. The second century was posted after 265 minutes' play. Eleven runs later, Minnett relieved Hazlitt, and bowled Foster with the last,lx»ll of the -over—a slow bailer. Seven for 216. Smith, (he newcomer, was content to keep his wicket intact without scoring, whilo Woolley got the Tims. The Kent representative with 4 for a cut and a straight drive to the boundary, off Whitty, reached 50 after 115 minutes' play. Four off an off-drive, and 4 for a late cut, all to Woolley, saw 233 raised. Then Minnett disposed of him l.b.w. Eight for 233. Woolley had ployed brilliant cricket for his G2, excelling in off-driving and cutting. His soore, which included eleven 4's, was compiled in two hours. Stumps were drawn at this stage. Spectators to the, number of 12,824 paid for admission. Scores are as follow:— * ENGLAND. First Innings. Hobbs, c. Carkeek, b. Macartney 66 , Rhodes, b. Minnett 49 Spooner, c. Hazlilt, b. Macartney • 1 Fry, c. Kelleway, b. Whitty 5 Woolley, 1.b.w., b. Minnett 62 J. W. Hearne, c. Jennings, b. Whitty 1 > Douglas, 1.b.w., b. Whitty 18 Fosjer, b. Minnett 19 Smith, not out 0 Sundries M Total for eight wickets .'. 233 How, the Wickets Foil. 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 107 109 127 131 144 150 210 233 , A WET NIGHT, NO PLAY UP TO NOQN. (Rcc. August 21, 0.10 a.m.) London, August 20. The weathor is unsettled. Thero were downpours in the evening and during the atfht. The wicket is of the softwti The

gates were unopened at noon though thousands were waiting to gain admission.

THE CHAMPION TEAM. BOARD OF CONTROI/S DECISION. London, August 19. Tho Board of Control has decided that the winners of the present Test Match shall hold the triangular championship, but that if tho game is unfinished within six daj'S the board shall consider whether it will arrange another fixture with tho Australians. '

TRIANGULAR TEST FIXTURES.

FINANCES OF PRESENT TOUR. • Sydney, August 20. Tho secretary of the Board of Cricket Control has been advised that the takings during the Australian team's tour of England, up to July 15 were .£-4200, while tho expenses totalled ,£4500. Ho has been also advised that th'e Imperial Cricket Conference agreed to tho following dates , for the international matches :— In 1913-14 England will visit South Africa. ' In 1914-15 Australia will visit South Africa. In 1915-16 England will visit Australia, In 1916 Australia will visit England. In 1917 South Africa will visit England. Before this arrangement can be carried into effect it must receive endorsement by the Board of Control, the South African authorities, and the English counties. AUSTRALIAN'S RETURN. MATCHES IN AMERICA. The Australian cricket team—Jennings, Macartney,' Minnett, Hazlitt, and Crouch (the manager) excepted—are returning via the United States. They will play several matches as a private venture, having received a good financial guarantee, and will possibly also play several baseball matches. SELECTION COMMITTEE. NOBLE NOT ELECTED. Sydney, August 20. At a meeting of the New South WalesCricket Association, Mr. M. A. Noble's election as a member of tho Selection Committee was proposed, the proposer urging that the hatchet should be buried. Noble was not elected. ' , A resolution was adopted to seek the 'co-operation of kindred bodies in the endeavour to have compulsory military training carried out so as to interfere less with the games on Saturday afternoons. AFRICA V. YORKSHIRE. PLAY STOPPED BY RAIN. ' London, August 19. A thunderstorm prevented'any play in tho Africa-Yorkshire match after lunch. Details: — . SOUTH AFRICA. ( First Innings. Taylor, c. Hirst, b. Drake 8 Tancred, c. B. Wilson, b. Booth 51 Nourso, b. Kilner ... 26 ——, c. Bates, b. Kilner 7 White, c. Dolphin, b. Hirst 6 Strieker, not out 21 Beaumont, not out 4 Sundries 2 Total for five, wickets 125 [One name has been omitted from the message.]